This Banana Cake recipe tastes like banana bread on steroids. With notes of caramel, fresh banana flavor, and a perfect cream cheese frosting, this moist cake will have you reaching for slice after slice!
If you’re an avid baker like me, then I know you’ve made banana bread once your overripe bananas start to turn. And there’s nothing wrong with that, I have multiple go-to recipes that I can make over and over again. But how about we try switching it up for once and make something a little more mouth-watering and eye-catching.
That’s where this cake comes in! Whether you’re preparing for an event or party, trying to satisfy your hungry family, or just wanting to treat yourself to something special, this delicious treat is exactly what need. Trust me. My parents and siblings are in town this month and they devoured this whole sheet pan’s worth of cake in no time. It’s a guaranteed hit!
Since you are here and love delicious recipes using bananas, check out this Brown Butter Banana Bread, this Double Chocolate Banana Bread, or this copycat Crumbl Banana Cream Pie Cookies.
Ingredients for this Banana Cake recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this easy banana cake recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
Cake Batter Ingredients
- Butter: Use unsalted so that we can add the salt in separately later on. You will want the butter to be softened so pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you begin the recipe.
- Vegetable Oil: adds moisture to the cake.
- Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: both sweeten the batter.
- Large Eggs: help the cake holds its shape.
- Sour Cream: adds a tangy flavor and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: brings a soft and complementary flavor to the bananas.
- Bananas: You will need about 2-3 ripe bananas for this recipe. I highly recommend using a scale to get the exact measurement as me.
- All-purpose Flour: is the base of our cake and mixes with the wet ingredients to create the batter.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: help the cake rise and gives it an airy texture.
- Salt: balances out the sweetness while enhancing all of the other flavors.
- Cinnamon: adds a delicious spice that goes really well with the banana flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream Cheese: You will it to be softened so pull it out of the fridge prior to starting the recipe.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter. You will want the butter to be softened so pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you begin the recipe.
- Powdered Sugar: sweetens the cream cheese while keeping it light and not too dense.
- Vanilla Extract: brings a soft and complementary flavor to the bananas.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: Use cautiously as needed to help thin out the frosting.
How to make this Banana Cake recipe
This is how you can make this moist banana cake recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, bake time, and full step-by-step instructions!
Make the Banana Cake
- Preheat your oven and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the oil and mix again.
- Beat in the eggs, then add in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and sour cream.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack.
Make the Frosting
- For the frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add whole milk or heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency of the wet mixture.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
- Slice and serve. Enjoy!
Why do you need to make this recipe?
- This easy recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at your nearest grocery store.
- This homemade banana cake recipe is the perfect choice in deciding how to use up those extra bananas.
- It’s made in a sheet cake pan and yields enough to ensure everyone gets a piece.
- It’s probably the moistest cake you’ll ever try and is guaranteed to become your new favorite banana cake recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
What other flavors can I add to this banana cake recipe?
- Add mix-ins like chocolate chips and nuts are the top suggestions. They both add to the moist texture and flavor of the cake. I personally used walnuts in mine and it was fantastic.
- Flavor the frosting to bring another depth of flavor. If I were to do it, cookie butter is what comes to mind first, but feel free to get creative with this!
- Make a marbled batter by drizzling in melted peanut butter and swirling it through the batter in the pan before you bake.
- It’s not a different flavor, but if you want to make this cake look more extravagant for a birthday party or holiday, you could the make the frosting and cake two times and stack them on top of each other to make a beautiful layer cake.
How do I store leftover banana cake?
To store, simply put your leftover cake slices into an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It should last for at least 3 or 4 days. Or you could freeze it and will last for up to a month or two. Just be sure to wrap each cake slice in plastic wrap first before putting them in the container to prevent them from getting freezer burn.
How can I ripen bananas quickly for baking?
To quickly ripen bananas, place them in a paper bag with an apple or another ripe fruit. The ethylene gas released by the fruit will accelerate the ripening process.
How do I prevent my banana cake from becoming dense?
Avoid overmixing the batter once you add the flour, as this can develop gluten and result in a dense cake. Only mix until just combined.
The Best Banana Cake Recipe
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 & ½ cup bananas mashed about 2-3 ripe bananas
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 & ⅔ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or heavy cream as needed
Instructions
Make the banana cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the oil and mix again.½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light brown sugar
- Beat in the eggs, then add in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and sour cream.2 large eggs, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 & ½ cup bananas mashed
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Make the frosting
- For the frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup unsalted butter
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.2 & ⅔ cups powdered sugar
- Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add milk or heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-2 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Decorate with chopped up walnuts, slice, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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