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You are here: Home / Cake / The Best Banana Cake Recipe

The Best Banana Cake Recipe

Last updated on February 16, 2021. Originally published March 15, 2020 32 Comments

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 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. 

front view of a slice of banana cake with 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! 

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! 

front view of a piece of banana cake with cream cheese frosting on a plate

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!

Combine wet ingredients

Begin by mashing the bananas in a large bowl. Next, add melted butter and vanilla and stir until combined. Add sugar and stir until dissolved.

Add eggs, sour cream, and beaten eggs and stir until combined. Make sure these ingredients are at room temperature for the best results! 

two photos showing how to make banana cake

Add dry ingredients: 

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon. 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)!

two photos showing how to make banana cake

Bake

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. 

Cool. 

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! 

two photos showing how to make banana cake

Make the cream cheese frosting

I personally think one of the best parts of banana cake is the cream cheese frosting! It’s a mixture of butter and cream cheese (and other ingredients, of course) that forms a thick and delicious layer on the top of the banana cake!

To make it: Beat together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add 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.

 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. 

Putting it together

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! 

front view showing cream cheese frosting being spread on a banana cake

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.

How to store banana cake

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The best banana cake 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! 

FAQs about Banana Cake

Here are some commonly asked questions about this easy banana cake with cream cheese frosting! 

What is the difference between banana bread and banana cake?

Banana cake and banana bread are very similar, but there are some key differences! First, banana cake is fluffier and less-dense than banana bread because of the high amount of liquid/wet ingredients. This banana cake recipe also makes a larger cake with more portions, and it’s topped with frosting, which our banana bread recipe is not! 

Do you need to refrigerate banana cake?

Yes. Because of the cream cheese frosting this best banana cake recipe needs to be refrigerated. I also just believe it taste the best when served slightly cold! 

overhead view of banana cake in a baking dish with pecans on top

Banana Cake: Ingredients and Substitutions

As always, let’s chat about the ingredients in this easy banana cake recipe. 

  • 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! 

overhead view of a piece of banana cake

If you love this recipe, you will also love…

We loveee baking with bananas around here! We also love cake! Here are some of our favorite recipes: 

  • The best banana bread ever, and chocolate chip banana bread!
  • For a healthier version, try this paleo banana bread! 
  • This chocolate zucchini cake is a must-make! Along with this healthy carrot cake!
  • Spinach banana muffins are a breakfast staple around here!
  • My favorite peanut butter breakfast bars and peanut butter baked oatmeal are both baked with bananas!
  • These are literally the best banana muffins you will ever make or eat! Seriously the best.
  • If you’re a cake lover, you have to try our recipe for the best, moist chocolate cake in the world!
  • Try this healthy banana bread! It’s delicious and no one can tell it’s good for you!

front view of a piece of banana cake with cream cheese frosting

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Best Easy Banana Cake Recipe

Laura
This is the banana cake recipe ever! It's easy to make (no mixer required), moist, loaded with bananas and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Chilling time 3 hrs
Total Time 1 hr
Course Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 357 kcal

Equipment

  • glass batter bowl
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • spatula
  • 9x13" baking dish
  • mixer
  • cake tester

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 bananas mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
  • ½ cup salted butter melted
  • 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cup whole milk room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 2 ¼ to 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Grease a 9x13” pan, set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mash bananas.
  • Add melted butter and vanilla and stir until combined.
  • Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
  • Add eggs and sour cream and stir until combined.
  • Add milk and gently mix until combined.
  • Add dry ingredients and stir until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout) and there are no lumps.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool to room temperature.

Make the frosting:

  • While the cake is baking, make the cream cheese frosting.
  • Beat together butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add 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.

Putting it together:

  • When the cake is cooled, spread frosting evenly over the top.
  • Chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Then serve cold or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Banana Cake: Ingredient Substitutions

As always, let's chat about the ingredients in this easy banana cake recipe. 
  • 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! 

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 266mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 547IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Banana cake, Banana cake cream cheese frosting, Banana cake recipe, best Banana cake, best Banana cake recipe, easy Banana cake, easy Banana cake recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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Filed Under: Cake, Dessert, Popular Recipes, Recipe Videos, Recipes Tagged With: cake, dessert

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol

    February 27, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    I made this the other day for my family! It is absolutely delicious and so easy to make! ❤️

    Reply
  2. Stacey

    February 25, 2021 at 6:22 am

    5 stars
    A great recipe, super simple and so yummy. I honestly didn’t measure out my bananas but I used 4 large bananas and my cake was so flavorful and moist. My whole family loved this cake especially the 4 legged 🐶 one 😁

    Reply
  3. Lucinda Kaczorowski

    December 11, 2020 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    This is bursting with banana flavor. I actually measured 1-1/2 cups mashed banana and it equaled 6 very ripe bananas. Yes, 6! Most kitchens will have ingredients needed. Easy recipe to follow and loved that no mixer is needed. Used 2% milk but that was the only change made, followed directions exactly on everything else. Baked 35 minutes in 9×13 metal pan. If you like a dense banana cake…make this. You’ll love it!!

    Reply
  4. Nick Douglas

    December 8, 2020 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for your recipe, I’ve baked for our hotel guests. They all loved the cake,

    Reply
  5. nadiya linde-elmhirst

    December 7, 2020 at 7:50 am

    does the nutrition data include frosting?

    Reply
  6. Gail

    November 6, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    Can you substitute melted margarine for the butter?

    Reply
    • Laura

      November 7, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Yes, you can.

      Reply
  7. Holly

    October 29, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    Can I bake this in A bundt cake pan, greased with a light coating of flour? I am going to make this. If not a bundt pan, is the 9X13 a metal pan or a glass baking dish? I can’t wait to bake this!!! thank you for the recipe & confirming dumb ?’s Holly

    Reply
  8. Tara

    October 27, 2020 at 10:10 am

    Can you make this into cupcakes?

    Reply
  9. Louise

    October 25, 2020 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! I found myself sneaking into the refrigerator to cut a slice of the banana cake, just like I did as a child, with the Saralee cake in the freezer! The best part was I had all the ingredients in the house, including some very ripe bananas that I had put in the freezer!

    Reply
    • Laura

      October 25, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      YES! I used to do the same thing as a child Louise! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Laura OMalley

    October 8, 2020 at 6:40 am

    How long to bake if I made cupcakes with this recipe?

    Reply
  11. Laura

    October 7, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Can I make this into cupcakes?

    Reply
  12. Danielle S

    September 12, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    Do I have to use really ripe bananas for this recipe?

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 13, 2020 at 7:15 am

      Yes I recommend very ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture!

      Reply
  13. Joelene Floyd

    September 6, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    5 stars
    Super moist and delicious!

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 7, 2020 at 7:13 am

      Thank you Joelene!

      Reply
  14. Connie Greenwald

    September 4, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    My 3 grandsons are on the way. I found this recipe and was surprised to see I had all the ingredients. I made peanut butter frosting and sprinkled the cake with mixed nuts desert topping. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  15. yolande

    August 3, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    Hi Laura, my cake was really good but it left a bit of a bitter aftertaste. I used a powder buttercream mixed with water instead of milk and sour cream. Could that have been why?

    Reply
    • Laura

      August 3, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Yes absolutely.

      Reply
  16. Sarah

    July 12, 2020 at 8:55 am

    5 stars
    I just made this! I used maple extract in place of vanilla. Such a great fall flavor. Will make again!

    Reply
  17. Lorie

    June 5, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    Can I make this in 9×9 pan like the Sarah lee size?

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 5, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      If you use a 9×9 pan you should halve the recipe, or bake it in two 9×9 pans and freeze one!

      Reply
  18. Jennifer Schilling

    May 17, 2020 at 1:36 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Laura! I am very interested in your best easy banana cake recipe! Is it possible to make it into a 9 inch layer cake??

    Thanks!
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 17, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      Yes! Baking it in two, 9″ round layers would work. They would be a touch thinner and take less time to bake. You could also use 8″ round pans as well!

      Reply
  19. Cerah

    May 3, 2020 at 9:01 pm

    5 stars
    Made this today, and it was great! Will make again!

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 4, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Cerah!!

      Reply
  20. Sherry Ellis

    March 28, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Laura. We have a standard banana chocolate chip muffin recipe that we have always used. I. Just made the banana cake because I had three bananas instead of two leftover. It was absolutely delicious! I think we have a new favorite banana recipe for our family. Thank you!

    Sherry Ellis

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 29, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      I’m so glad you loved it Sheri! Banana cake is my favorite! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Yanitza

    March 24, 2020 at 7:55 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for an amazing recipe! I’ve tried so many recipes in the past for banana cake and yours is absolutely the best! The cake is moist, lots of banana flavor and super easy to make ) no mixer required),

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 29, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you Yanitza! We love this recipe too! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  22. Renee VanderWal

    March 20, 2020 at 8:41 am

    5 stars
    My daughter loves to bake (so do I) and she made your Best Banana Cake and it was sooooo good! We shared it with neighbors and they had to have the recipe too! It’s going to be a family favorite for sure!

    Reply

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About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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