Description
Sumptuous banana bread cake with cream cheese frosting merges classic comfort with elegant dessert charm. Moist layers of banana-rich goodness paired with silky cream cheese create a delightful treat you’ll savor down to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups mashed bananas (about 3 large ripe bananas)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
Dry Spices and Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 tablespoons (180 milliliters) heavy cream or milk (optional, to adjust consistency)
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Banana slices
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease coating or parchment paper lining.
- Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl. Reserve this blend to the side.
- Transform butter and sugars into a creamy, aerated mixture using an electric mixer, blending softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the texture becomes light and voluminous, which typically requires 2-3 minutes of continuous beating.
- Introduce eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then seamlessly fold in vanilla extract for enhanced aromatic depth.
- Enhance the batter’s moisture and richness by incorporating sour cream and thoroughly mashed bananas, stirring until the ingredients are harmoniously combined.
- Gently merge the dry ingredient blend with the wet mixture, folding carefully to maintain the cake’s delicate structure. Mix only until ingredients are just united, preventing potential toughness from overmixing.
- Transfer the silky batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to create an even surface. Bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center. Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan before adorning with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Ripeness matters for bananas: Use overripe, brown-spotted bananas for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
- Prevent dry cake by carefully measuring flour and avoiding overmixing, which can develop tough gluten and create dense texture.
- Customize the recipe by adding nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all other ingredients remain the same.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg