Welcome to your new favorite treat: a delightful banana bread cake that expertly blends the comforting flavors of homemade banana bread with the tender texture of a classic cake. This incredible banana bread cake is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend brunches. It’s a simple, comforting dessert everyone will adore, making it a fantastic addition to your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love It
This amazing banana bread cake is a dream come true for both beginners and experienced bakers alike.
- Irresistible Flavor: Enjoy the perfectly sweet and comforting taste of ripe bananas in every bite.
- Incredibly Versatile: Serve it warm for dessert or enjoy a slice with your morning coffee. This banana bread cake truly does it all!
- Effortless Preparation: With minimal prep time and straightforward steps, you’ll have this delicious cake ready in no time.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most ingredients in your pantry.
- Family Favorite: Its universally loved taste makes it a guaranteed hit for any occasion.
Ingredients
Making this moist and flavorful banana bread cake starts with a few basic ingredients. Choose quality options for the best results.
Dry Mix
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
Wet Mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) softened butter
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat is best for richness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 very ripe bananas)
Frosting (Cream Cheese)
- 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese (softened, full-fat is best)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Notes & Substitutions
For an even moister cake, ensure your butter is truly softened. You can substitute oil for butter, but butter adds a richer flavor. If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt is a great stand-in for moisture. For a touch of chocolate, fold in a handful of chocolate chips with the mashed bananas. To make your banana bread cake dairy-free, use a plant-based butter and sour cream alternative.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful banana bread cake. Gather a large mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, a 9×13 baking dish, and a cooling rack. A spatula will also be handy for scraping the bowl.
Instructions
Creating this perfect banana bread cake is incredibly simple. Follow these easy steps for a moist, tender treat every time.
- Preheat & Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by spraying it thoroughly with cooking spray. Set the prepared dish aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually for a couple of minutes. It might look crumbly at first, but keep beating, and it will become smooth.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Blend these ingredients together until they are fully combined and the mixture looks creamy and uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Blend on low speed just until the dry ingredients are combined with the wet. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing can lead to a tough banana bread cake.
- Fold in Bananas: Add the mashed banana to the batter. Gently stir everything together with a spatula until the bananas are evenly distributed. Do not overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Dump the prepared batter into your 9×13 baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the banana bread cake comes out with moist crumbs or completely clean. If it comes out with wet batter, continue cooking for a few more minutes. The edges and top will be lightly browned.
- Cool Completely: Remove the cake from the oven. Let the cake cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack before attempting to frost it. Cooling properly is crucial for perfect frosting. Once cooled, you can frost it immediately or cover it tightly and frost it later.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting:
While the banana bread cake cools, prepare the luscious cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Finally, add the heavy whipping cream and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable. Spread evenly over the cooled cake.
Common Mistakes
Avoid over-mixing the batter after adding the flour, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in a tough banana bread cake. Also, ensure your oven temperature is accurate; an oven that’s too hot or too cool can lead to uneven baking or a dry cake.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving a perfect banana bread cake is easier with a few simple tricks. Always use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and moisture; their peels should be speckled brown.
According to culinary science, ripe bananas contribute more natural sweetness and moisture due to starch conversion into sugars.
For an extra moist crumb, chill your batter in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking. If your cake seems to be browning too quickly on top, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Adjust baking time if you alter the pan size, as a deeper cake will require longer.
Serving / Storage / Variations
This banana bread cake is wonderfully versatile. Slice and serve it warm, allowing the rich aromas to fill your kitchen, or enjoy it at room temperature. It’s perfect on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to the next level.
For storage, keep any leftover banana bread cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you’ve frosted it with cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator.
Variations:
- Chocolate Banana Bread Cake: Swirl in ¼ cup of cocoa powder with the dry ingredients for a rich, chocolatey twist.
- Nutty Crunch: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a delightful crunch.
- Caramel Drizzle: Before serving, warm up some caramel sauce and drizzle it generously over each slice of your banana bread cake.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free oat flour blend for a gluten-friendly version; results may vary slightly in texture.
Nutrition
Enjoy this delicious banana bread cake as a delightful treat. One serving provides a satisfying mix of energy and flavor.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 55g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 14g |
Note: Nutrition facts are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. You can reduce calories and fat by using low-fat sour cream and cream cheese.
FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about making the best banana bread cake.
- Can I use frozen bananas?
Absolutely! Thaw them first, then drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen ripe bananas are excellent for this banana bread cake. - How long does the cake keep?
This moist banana bread cake stays fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature in an airtight container. Refrigerate if frosted with cream cheese frosting. - What if I don’t have a 9×13 baking dish?
You can bake this banana bread cake in two 8-inch round cake pans or a bundt pan. Adjust baking times accordingly; smaller pans will likely bake faster. - How can I make it gluten-free or vegan?
For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs, butter with vegan butter, and sour cream/cream cheese with plant-based alternatives. - Can I add pumpkin to this recipe?
Yes, you can! Substitute half of the mashed banana with canned pumpkin puree for a delicious banana pumpkin bread cake.
Conclusion
This ultimate banana bread cake recipe brings together the best of both worlds: the comforting homestyle feel of banana bread and the tender crumb of a classic cake. It’s truly a beginner-friendly recipe that delivers exceptional flavor with minimal effort. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite add-ins to make this delightful banana bread cake uniquely yours. Try this recipe today and share your delicious results!