This is the best banana cake recipe ever! It’s easy to make (no mixer required), moist, loaded with bananas and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. 

Banana cake is a dessert that is completely nostalgic for me. I grew up eating the Sara Lee version, and nothing else compared to that dense yet fluffy cake paired with a thick cream cheese frosting.

Well, I decided it was time to create a homemade banana cake recipe to make all my (and hopefully your) childhood dreams come true, and this is seriously the best banana cake ever (also try my carrot cake, coconut cake and hummingbird cake recipes)! 

This banana cake recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients and is out-of-this-world delicious!. It has no buttermilk (because I never have it on hand, if I’m being honest) and doesn’t a require a mixer! 

Banana Cake: Ingredients and Substitutions

• All-purpose flour. Cake flour can be used in place of all-purpose flour for a slightly lighter texture. Bread flour and pastry flour also work well! 
• Salted butter. Unsalted butter works perfectly in this banana cake recipe. You just may need to increase the amount of sea salt. You can also substitute up to half of the butter with canola oil or applesauce with great results! 
• Granulated sugar. I found that granulated sugar yielded the lightest, fluffiest cake. You can replace up to 1/2 cup of the white sugar with brown sugar for a little bit of a richer flavor! 
• Sour Cream. Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream with great results!
• Whole Milk. 2% milk can be used in place of whole milk, but I would avoid skim and fat-free milk, because the fat is necessary for the best texture.
  • NOTE: you can substitute both the sour cream and whole milk with 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk. I just never have it on hand so I chose to create a recipe without relying on it! 

How to Make Banana Cake

Let’s walk through how to make this easy banana cake step-by-step to ensure your success! Don’t forget to watch the video too!

Begin by combining the flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Then, mash the bananas in a large bowl with a potato masher or a fork.

Next, add the sugar, melted butter and vanilla and stir to combine.

Then, add the eggs, sour cream, and milk and stir. Make sure these ingredients are at room temperature for the best results.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout) and there are no lumps (other than the mashed banana)!

Bake & Cool

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden brown and the edges are set. 

Remove the baked cake from the oven and set it on a wire rack to cool completely. While it’s cooling, make the cream cheese frosting! 

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

I have a post dedicated solely to making cream cheese frosting – it’s one of my favorites. See that post if you have additional questions. Make sure the ingredients are room temperature.

To make it: beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Then, add the vanilla and 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat (starting on low speed and increasing to medium-high) until smooth. Add up to ½ cup more powdered sugar until you reach a spreadable, but thick consistency.

Assemble the Banana Cake

When the cake is cooled, spread frosting evenly over the top. If desired, top with crushed pecans or walnuts!  You could also pipe a design on the top, but for the sake of time I chose to just slather that cream cheese frosting right on top! 

Chill & Serve

Chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight. I find the chilling time really gives the cake a chance for the flavors to deepen and the banana cake to taste its absolute best! Serve the banana cake cold or at room temperature.

Store/Freeze

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This recipe can also be wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to 2 months!

To enjoy, simply let the cake thaw in the refrigerator, or at room temperature.

Banana Cake Recipe FAQs

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!

Try these recipes

Best Banana Bread Recipe

Chocolate Banana Bread

Banana Cupcakes

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Best Banana Muffins

Hummingbird Cake Recipe