Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: The Family Favorite Recipe

The Smell of Home: An Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Story

There are certain smells that define our home here in Bend, Oregon. It’s usually that sharp, cool scent of pine after a quick afternoon rain, or lately, the faint, comforting aroma of cedar dust from Ethan working on his new workbench in the garage. But when the light shifts golden in the late afternoon, and the kids are finally quiet, the smell that centers me the most is bananas baking. Not just banana bread, which is lovely in its simple, honest way (you can always find a quick version like our World’s Moistest Banana Bread recipe), but something richer, something that promises celebration. I’m talking about the amazing banana cake with cream cheese frosting.

This recipe came to life out of necessity a few weeks ago. James had demanded something “more celebratory than muffins,” and Olivia had specifically requested the tang of cream cheese frosting. Ethan, ever the pragmatic one, just wanted to ensure his photography subject was structurally sound. So, we married the dense, velvety texture of our favorite banana loaf with the lightness of true cake. The resulting homemade banana cake recipe cream cheese frosting truly is the best banana cake I’ve ever made, capturing all the deep, almost caramelized banana flavor while remaining incredibly moist. It’s what I call a “banana bread cake,” the perfect bridge between a quick loaf and a full-fledged dessert. If you’ve been searching for the secret to a perfectly structured dessert that still tastes like grandmother’s kitchen, you’ve found it.

I learned quickly that to compete with the top U.S. competitors and make a truly memorable dessert, we needed to lean into moisture and texture. We’re not aiming for a sad, dry sponge; we’re aiming for a velvet interior and a plush exterior, beautifully sealed by that tangy-sweet frosting. This moist banana bread cake with cream cheese frosting is the result of many quiet kitchen mornings, tweaking the ratio of brown sugar to white, and ensuring we use plenty of ripe bananas.

It’s a cake that says, “Welcome home.”

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Ingredients for Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• How to Make Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Pro Tips & Variations of Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Serving Suggestions
• Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Storage & Reheating
• FAQ about Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Final Thoughts

Why You’ll Love This Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I don’t chase perfection in food, I chase connection, but this recipe manages to deliver both. It’s a kitchen staple that’s accessible yet elegant, simple enough for a Tuesday night, but decadent enough for a holiday gathering.

• Unbeatable Moisture: We use both sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and melted butter, guaranteeing a moist banana cake texture that stays tender for days. This method makes it significantly better than standard bread-like textures.
• The Perfect Frosting Balance: The cream cheese frosting is tangy, fluffy, and cuts through the sweetness of the bananas beautifully. We even offer a subtle cinnamon cream cheese frosting variation below.
• It’s Beginner-Friendly: This recipe uses the creaming method, but it’s straightforward and forgiving. You don’t need special equipment, just a mixer and a 9×13 pan, or two 8-inch round layer cake pans.
• Supreme Banana Flavor: By using highly ripened, black-spotted bananas, you get a deep, rich, almost caramel-like fruit flavor that puts other banana cakes to shame.
• Versatility: It performs wonderfully as a sheet cake, a layer cake, or even as cupcakes, making it genuinely the best banana cake for any occasion.

Ingredients for Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Fresh Banana Cake:

• Flour: 3 cups all-purpose flour. King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill are my go-to choices here in Oregon.
• Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup packed light brown sugar. The brown sugar is key for deep flavor and moisture.
• Fats: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus ½ cup flavorless oil (vegetable or canola). This dual-fat approach ensures both flavor and ultimate tenderness.
• Dairy & Leavening: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.
• Moisture Agent: ½ cup sour cream or high-quality Greek yogurt. This is the secret for an easy banana cake that’s never dry.
• Bananas: 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 to 5 large, very speckled bananas). The darker, the better!
• Eggs: 4 large eggs, room temperature.
• Optional Flavor: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for a warmer, moist banana bread recipe feel).

For the Classic Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: 1 (8-ounce) block full-fat cream cheese, softened. Philadelphia is always reliable.
• Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened.
• Sweetener: 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted.
• Flavor: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
• Liquid: 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, if needed for texture.

How to Make Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions for Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Part I: The Banana Cake Batter

1. Prep & Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan, or two 8-inch round cake pans. If you’re making the latter, line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
3. Cream Fats and Sugars: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and visibly paler in color, about 3 to 4 minutes. This essential step introduces air and ensures a fluffy, moist banana cake.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Incorporate the vanilla extract.
5. Mix Wet Ingredients: Gently fold in the mashed bananas and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). The mixture may look slightly curdled, but don’t worry, the flour will bring it together.
6. Combine: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix, as this develops gluten and can make the cake tough.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s). Bake the 9×13 cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or the 8-inch layers for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached.
8. Cool Completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. The cake must be totally cool before frosting, or the cream cheese frosting will melt into a sweet puddle.

Part II: The Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the Basics: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together on medium speed until perfectly smooth, light, and lump-free (about 2 minutes).
2. Add Sugar: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated.
3. Finish the Frosting: Add the vanilla extract and beat for another minute until the frosting is light and fluffy. If the frosting seems too stiff, add a splash of heavy cream, one teaspoon at a time, until the desired spreading consistency is reached.

Part III: Assembly

1. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top layer (or between the layers, if making a layer cake).
2. Garnish with crushed walnuts, a dusting of cinnamon, or banana chips before serving. This truly finishes the look of the amazing banana cake with cream cheese frosting and makes it photo-ready for Ethan!

Pro Tips & Variations of Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Making one of the best banana cake recipes means knowing how to finesse the technique and adapt for different dietary needs. Here are my favorite secrets:

• The Flour Trick: Spoon and level your flour, do not scoop. Scooping flour compacts it, resulting in 20-30% too much flour, which is the number one cause of a dry cake.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the eggs, butter, and cream cheese are truly at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify correctly, trapping air and resulting in an ultra-tender crumb—perfect for a moist banana cake.
• Add a Swirl: For an elevated dessert, try a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Just add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the frosting mix. If you love cinnamon in your banana bakes, you have to try my Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread for breakfast!
• Go Chocolate: Substitute 3 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour with good quality cocoa powder for a delicious banana layer cake chocolate cream cheese frosting experience. Or, fold in ½ cup of dark chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
• Layer Cake Structure: If making a layer cake, chill the frosted layers in the fridge for 30 minutes after the crumb coat (a thin layer of frosting), before applying the final, thicker coat. This prevents crumbs from muddying your beautiful white frosting. I found some great structural tips for layer cakes over at Glorious Treats’ banana cake guide that I recommend!

Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Serving Suggestions

This cake is so rich and complete, it honestly needs very little accompaniment. But if you’re hosting a dinner or a celebration, there are a few simple additions that elevate the dessert table:

• Coffee Pairing: A hot cup of dark roast coffee or a strong espresso cuts perfectly through the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting.
• Ice Cream: A scoop of high-quality vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream on the side, especially when the cake is served slightly warm (a slice works perfectly after a quick 10-second zap in the microwave).
• Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans sprinkled over the top offer a welcome crunch and reinforce that cozy, banana bread cake texture.
• A Simple Drizzle: A light drizzle of dark chocolate ganache makes this fresh banana cake feel instantly decadent.

Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Storage & Reheating

Because this cake contains cream cheese frosting, it requires refrigeration to maintain food safety and structural integrity. Luckily, the high fat content of the cake means it doesn’t dry out easily.

• In the Refrigerator: Store leftover slices in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For the absolute best banana cake flavor and texture, allow the slices to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Freezing the Cake (Unfrosted): The unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then frost and serve.
• Freezing the Cake (Frosted): Freeze the cake uncovered until the frosting is solid (about 2 hours). Then, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Note: Freezing frosted cake can sometimes slightly alter the frosting’s texture, making it softer, but I find the trade-off worth it when I need a quick dessert like for James’s last-minute birthday celebration.

FAQ about Amazing Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Q: What makes this moist banana bread cake superior to regular banana bread?

A: The primary difference lies in the ratio of fat, sugar, and leavening, along with the inclusion of cream cheese frosting. This cake uses a classic creaming method and generally includes more butter and sugar than a standard loaf, yielding a finer, softer crumb that truly defines a moist banana cake. Plus, the frosting immediately transforms it from a breakfast item into a dessert showstopper. For a simpler, everyday bake, you might love our One-Bowl Basic Banana Bread, but this is for when you need that extra ‘wow’ factor.

Q: Can I make this amazing banana cake without sour cream?

A: Absolutely! Sour cream (or buttermilk) is a classic ingredient for creating a moist banana cake recipe because its acidity helps tenderize the cake and activate the baking soda. You can easily substitute it with plain Greek yogurt for the same incredible moisture and tang. Whole milk or light cream can work in a pinch, but the texture might be slightly less dense and rich. The goal is always to keep that velvety texture that makes this the best banana cake.

Q: My cream cheese frosting is running, what did I do wrong?

A: The main culprits are usually warm components. Ensure your cake is completely cool before frosting. Also, make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened, but not melted or greasy. If the kitchen is warm (which happens in the summer here in Bend!), add a tablespoon or two more of sifted powdered sugar, or chill the finished frosting in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before attempting to spread it. When in doubt, a quick external review like this popular recipe from Gonna Want Seconds can confirm you have the right ratios.

Q: What is the best way to ripen bananas quickly for fresh banana cake?

A: If your bananas are yellow but not spotted enough, you can speed up the process by baking them. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the peels are entirely black and the fruit inside is soft and mushy. Let them cool, then scoop out the pulp. This not only ripens them but sweetens them slightly for the most flavorful amazing banana cake with cream cheese frosting!

Final Thoughts

Sitting on the porch now, the air is crisp, the Oregon sun is high, and the house smells faintly of vanilla and cinnamon – the remnants of this magnificent cake. It’s a quiet moment, the kind that anchors me to this life. Food is more than just fuel, it’s the vehicle for our memories—the sticky fingers of James reaching for a slice, the careful photograph Ethan took of the layers, the soft sound of Olivia whispering, “Mom, this is the best banana cake ever.” I hope this recipe brings that same sense of warmth and perfection into your own kitchen.

Happy baking, friends. Pin this recipe for your next celebration or your next batch of overly-ripe bananas!