Delicious Banana Cake

Posted on May 21, 2025

banana cake

There’s something about banana cake that just feels like home. Maybe it’s the way the scent fills the kitchen, warm and sweet, wrapping you in nostalgia. Or maybe it’s how every bite tastes like comfort, like memories of rainy afternoons and cozy moments with loved ones. This banana cake recipe is for those days , the ones when your soul needs something soft, sweet, and full of love.

Forget fancy tools or complicated steps , this is an easy banana cake from scratch, made with ripe bananas you probably already have sitting on your counter. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been baking for years, this cake delivers big flavor with barely any effort.

Why You’ll Love This Banana Cake Recipe

Oh, where do we even start?

  • It’s insanely moist. Like “the secret to ultra moist banana cake” kind of moist. No dry crumbs here!
  • Super easy for beginners if you can stir, you can bake this.
  • Made with simple, pantry ingredients. No butter? No problem, this is a banana cake without butter!
  • It’s a one bowl banana cake, which means fewer dishes. And let’s be honest, that’s always a win.
  • The cream cheese frosting? Pure magic. This is seriously the best banana cake with cream cheese frosting you’ll ever try.

How to Make Banana Cake

Want to know the secret behind making a banana cake that hits all the right notes? It all starts with the bananas. Use ones that are brown, soft, and super ripe, this is where the natural sweetness and deep flavor come from. That’s why this also fits into the “ripe banana dessert ideas” category perfectly.

From there, it’s just about mixing your wet and dry ingredients, keeping things simple, and baking it until golden. This isn’t a recipe you need to overthink — just trust the process and enjoy the ride.

This also works beautifully as a banana sheet cake if you’re serving a crowd or want something that’s easy to slice and share.

Serving Suggestions

This banana cake is a chameleon, it can be dressed up or kept simple:

  • For breakfast: Skip the frosting, warm a slice, and top with a dollop of yogurt or nut butter.
  • For dessert: Serve chilled with the luscious cream cheese frosting and maybe a drizzle of caramel.
  • At parties: Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar — looks fancy, tastes homemade.
  • With coffee or tea: Trust me, it’s a vibe.

Storage and Reheating

You can store banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days (if it lasts that long). If frosted with cream cheese, pop it in the fridge, it’ll stay fresh for 4-5 days.

To reheat, microwave a slice for 10–15 seconds. It’ll taste just like it came out of the oven soft, warm, and irresistible.

And yes, banana cake freezes really well! Just wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave gently.

Pro Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s finish with some tips to help you totally nail this banana cake:

Pro Tips:

  • Use really ripe bananas   black-spotted is best.
  • Measure flour correctly  spoon it into the cup and level it off. Too much flour = dry cake.
  • Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added. Mix just until combined.
  • Want a lighter crumb? Swap half the all-purpose flour for cake flour.
  • Let it cool before frosting or your cream cheese frosting will melt everywhere.

 5 common Banana cake mistakes to avoid

  1. Using under-ripe bananas – They don’t have enough sweetness or moisture.
  2. Overmixing the batter – Leads to a dense, rubbery texture.
  3. Skipping the acid – Buttermilk or vinegar + milk helps tenderize and adds depth.
  4. Not checking doneness – Every oven is different. Start testing at 35 minutes.
  5. Frosting too soon – Let the cake cool or you’ll end up with a frosting slip ‘n slide.
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Delicious Banana Cake


  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A moist and flavorful banana cake made with ripe bananas, perfect for using up overripe bananas. This easy one-bowl recipe requires no mixer and can be topped with optional cream cheese frosting.


Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 ½ cups mashed bananas

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 ⅛ cups white sugar

  • ¾ cup butter

  • 3 eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk

Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar


Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.

  2. Make cake: Mix mashed bananas with lemon juice in a small bowl.

  3. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

  4. Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

     
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

  6. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture.

     
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

  8. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour.

     
  9. Remove cake from the oven and place it directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist.

  10. Meanwhile, make frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth.

  11. Spread frosting on cooled cake.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the best flavor
  • This recipe works without a mixer – just mix by hand
  • Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake tender
  • Cake can be made without frosting for a lighter version
  • Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Sodium: 280mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: banana cake, easy banana cake, moist banana cake, no mixer banana cake, cream cheese frosting, ripe banana recipe

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