Name: Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Easy Dessert Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas); 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional); 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

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Banana bread and cake had a baby, and I swear it’s the softest, coziest slice of dessert comfort I’ve ever made. This banana bread cake with cream cheese frosting lands somewhere between a lazy Sunday breakfast and the sweet spot at every family gathering. The batter is super forgiving—got sad bananas on the counter? Use ’em. Don’t feel like pulling out the stand mixer? A bowl and a fork work just fine. It’s dense but fluffy, sweet but not too much. And that thick swirl of cream cheese frosting on top? Let’s just say, you might want to hide a slice for yourself. If you’re someone who loves sweet easy recipes that don’t require a pastry degree, or you’re after quick and easy recipes for last-minute guests, this one’s for you. Perfect for brunch tables, birthday backups, or just because your bananas went brown faster than your weekend.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
3) Ingredients for Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
4) How to Make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
5) Tips for Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
6) Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
8) Try these cakes next!
9) Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This banana bread cake uses basic pantry staples and ripe bananas
The cream cheese frosting is thick, rich, and tangy, pairing perfectly with the soft banana base
It’s an easy dessert recipe that works for gatherings or quiet weekends
You can customize it with add-ins like walnuts, chocolate chips, or even a cinnamon swirl

2) Easy Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ever looked at your overripe bananas and thought, should I make banana bread again? I’ve been there. But this time, I took a different route. I turned those spotty bananas into a soft, fluffy banana bread cake and topped it with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. And let me tell you, I don’t think I’m going back.

This recipe lands in the sweet spot between breakfast and dessert. It’s casual enough for a coffee break but dressed up just enough to serve after dinner. The cake is super moist, thanks to sour cream, and the frosting is velvety, not too sweet, just enough to make each bite feel like a treat.

If you’re a fan of sweet easy recipes or you’re searching for easy dessert recipes that actually taste like something grandma might have made, this one checks every box. And the best part? It’s quick. No stand mixer. No weird ingredients. Just you, a bowl, and the magic of bananas.

3) Ingredients for Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Butter: You’ll need this softened to blend easily into the sugar. It adds richness and helps the cake stay tender.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter just right. You can cut back slightly if your bananas are very ripe.

Eggs: These give the cake structure and help everything hold together. Make sure they’re at room temperature.

Sour Cream: Adds tang and moisture. It’s one of my favorite tricks to keep a banana cake soft and dense in the best way.

Vanilla Extract: Adds that warm, sweet depth that pairs perfectly with bananas and frosting.

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the batter. You want it fluffy but still hearty enough to support the fruit.

Baking Soda and Salt: Just a little lift and balance. The salt brings out the flavor of the bananas.

Mashed Bananas: This is the star. Make sure they’re soft, deeply speckled, and ripe. Two big ones should do it.

Walnuts (Optional): They add crunch and a slightly bitter edge that balances the sweet. Totally up to you.

Cream Cheese: For the frosting, this is your base. Softened, tangy, and smooth as silk.

Butter (again): Yep, for the frosting too. It gives structure and richness to that dreamy topping.

Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and texture to the frosting. Start slow when mixing or it’ll snow everywhere.

4) How to Make Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 pan and set it aside. This cake doesn’t need anything fancy, just a good even bake.

Step 2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each.

Step 3. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla. The batter might look a bit broken, but that’s okay. Once you add the flour, it’ll smooth right out.

Step 4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 5. Fold in the mashed bananas. If you’re using walnuts, toss them in here too. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly.

Step 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely before frosting. Trust me, don’t rush this part.

Step 7. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fluffy and spreadable.

5) Tips for Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Use very ripe bananas. The darker, the better. They should be almost liquid inside. That’s where the flavor lives.

If you’re after quick and easy recipes, prep your ingredients the night before. That way, you’re halfway there when the craving hits.

Don’t overmix the batter. Just enough to bring everything together. Overworking the flour can make the cake rubbery. And nobody wants that.

If you’re into simple homemade sweets – easy recipes with big results – this one is foolproof. It’s also forgiving. Forgot to bring the eggs to room temp? It’ll survive.

6) Making Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Ahead of Time

You can absolutely make this cake the day before you plan to serve it. In fact, I think it’s better after sitting overnight. The banana flavor deepens, and the texture settles.

Just hold off on the frosting until the next day. Cover the cake tightly and store it at room temperature. Then frost right before serving for that fresh bakery feel.

If you’re using this for meal prep or a party, go ahead and slice it before storing. That way, it’s grab-and-go. One pan. One lid. Easy dessert recipes like this should be easy to store too.

7) Storing Leftover Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Once frosted, the cake needs to live in the fridge. Cover it well and it’ll keep for about five days. The frosting helps seal in the moisture, so the cake stays soft.

If you like your cake on the softer side, let it sit out for ten minutes before serving. That brings the frosting back to its creamy, dreamy state.

You can also freeze slices individually. Wrap them in plastic, then pop them in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temp or zap gently in the microwave. Sweet easy recipes shouldn’t come with complicated storage rules.

8) Try these cakes next!

9) Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe