Best Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Introduction

This Best Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with ripe bananas and topped with a rich, creamy frosting, it’s sure to become a favorite treat in your home.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 Tbsp sour cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 medium bananas, mashed (or 3 large bananas)
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 10 Tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-4 Tbsp half & half (or heavy cream or milk)
• Pinch of salt, to taste
• 1/2-3/4 cup Nilla wafers, crushed into crumbs

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans or line them with parchment paper, then set aside.
2. Step 2: Using a standing or hand mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes. Add the sour cream and beat until combined.
3. Step 3: Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the mixture. Continue to cream until light and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Set the batter aside.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
6. Step 6: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined; it’s okay if some flour remains unmixed.
7. Step 7: Stir in vanilla extract and mashed bananas until well combined.
8. Step 8: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Tap the pans gently to remove air bubbles.
9. Step 9: Bake for 25–28 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden and a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cakes cool completely.
10. Step 10: For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
11. Step 11: Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
12. Step 12: Add vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of half & half. If frosting is too thick, add remaining half & half a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
13. Step 13: To assemble, place one cake layer on a plate or stand. Spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the layer and sprinkle with crushed Nilla wafers.
14. Step 14: Repeat with second layer and frosting, topping again with wafer crumbs.
15. Step 15: Place the final layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with remaining frosting. Finish by sprinkling the cake with more wafer crumbs.
16. Step 16: Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• Use overripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.
• For extra texture, fold chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the batter.
• Crushed graham crackers or ginger snaps can replace Nilla wafers for different flavors in the topping.

Storage

Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting. You can also freeze the cake layers unfilled for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this cake?

Yes, frozen bananas work well once thawed and mashed. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid for best results.

Is it okay to substitute the cream cheese frosting for another type?

Absolutely. Buttercream or whipped cream frosting can be used, but cream cheese frosting complements the banana flavor best and adds a nice tang.

Best Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 57 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

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Description

This Best Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, tender, and flavorful layered cake perfect for any occasion. Made with ripe mashed bananas, a balanced blend of sugars, and a hint of vanilla, it’s baked to golden perfection and generously layered with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting. Finished with a delightful crunch of crushed Nilla wafer crumbs, this classic dessert combines comforting flavors with a delightful texture contrast, making it a crowd-pleaser for family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Cake

• 2/3 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 Tbsp sour cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 medium bananas, mashed (or 3 large bananas)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 10 Tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–4 Tbsp half & half (or heavy cream or milk)
• Pinch of salt, to taste

Topping

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup Nilla wafers, crushed into crumbs

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sour Cream: In a mixing bowl with a stand or hand mixer, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add sour cream and mix until well combined.
3. Add Sugars: Gradually add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter mixture. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy and sugars are fully incorporated.
4. Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a smooth batter.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour. Mix gently just until combined; a few streaks of flour remaining is fine to avoid overmixing.
7. Add Flavorings and Bananas: Stir in vanilla extract and mashed bananas until evenly incorporated.
8. Fill Cake Pans: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Spread batter to an even layer and gently tap the pans on the counter to remove air bubbles.
9. Bake: Place cakes in the preheated oven and bake for 25-28 minutes or until the cakes are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
10. Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans before frosting.
11. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
12. Add Final Frosting Ingredients: Stir in vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of half & half. If the frosting is too thick, add more half & half, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
13. Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Spread a third of the frosting evenly over the layer. Sprinkle generously with crushed Nilla wafer crumbs.
14. Layer and Frost: Place the second cake layer atop the frosted first layer. Repeat with the remaining frosting and wafer crumbs.
15. Top and Finish: Place the final cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting. Decorate with additional crushed Nilla wafer crumbs as desired.
16. Serve or Store: Serve the cake immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. For best flavor and texture, bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

• Make sure all ingredients like butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
• Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to 1 1/2 cups milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• The crushed Nilla wafers add a delightful texture contrast and subtle vanilla flavor to the frosting layers.
• Refrigerate the cake if not serving immediately; bring it to room temperature before serving for optimal taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 28 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana cake, cream cheese frosting, layered cake, vanilla wafer crumbs, moist banana cake, classic dessert