This Banana Cake is soft, moist, tender, and full of delicious banana flavor. It’s an easy way to use ripe bananas and makes a wonderful dessert, afternoon treat, or simple homemade cake for the family.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, if needed
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the Bananas
Mix the mashed bananas into the butter mixture until well combined.
The riper the bananas, the more naturally sweet and flavorful your cake will be.
5. Combine Everything
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, alternating with the buttermilk.
Begin and finish with the dry ingredients.
Mix just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cake dense.
6. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
Bake for approximately 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract.
Beat until fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled banana cake.
Tips for the Best Banana Cake
- Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the strongest banana flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before adding cream cheese frosting.
- For extra texture, fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Add a handful of mini chocolate chips for a banana-chocolate version.
- A little extra cinnamon makes the cake especially cozy and flavorful.
Storage
Because of the cream cheese frosting, store the finished cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For the best texture, let individual slices sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Cake is wonderfully soft, moist, and packed with the comforting flavor of ripe bananas. The creamy cream cheese frosting makes it even more indulgent, while nuts or chocolate chips can easily be added for a delicious twist. It’s a simple homemade cake that’s perfect whenever you have a few overripe bananas waiting in the kitchen.