If ever there was a more comforting, soul-hugging dessert than Classic Homemade Banana Cake, I haven’t found it! Picture moist banana crumb mingling with a luxurious layer of tangy cream cheese frosting, each bite delivering everything you love about your favorite banana bread but elevated to celebration status. This cake is the kind of treat that gathers everyone around the table, entices a second slice, and perfectly highlights the magic that overripe bananas can bring to your kitchen adventures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Classic Homemade Banana Cake is that it uses straightforward, familiar ingredients, each one working its own brand of magic. Even the simplest pantry staples, like flour and sugar, play a key role in creating pure flavor and irresistibly soft texture.
- All-purpose flour: The structure-building hero that ensures a tender, soft crumb in every slice.
- Baking powder: Gives the cake just the right lift, making it fluffy and light rather than dense.
- Baking soda: Reacts with the acidic ingredients to support further rise and a golden brown color.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and sharpen the banana flavor.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): For a subtle, cozy warmth that pairs perfectly with banana.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creates richness and a delightful melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and tenderizes the cake, helping to retain moisture.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Adds a caramel-like depth and extra moistness to the crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind the batter together and contribute to a light, airy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the natural sweetness and adds a delicate, fragrant note.
- Mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas): The star ingredient, bringing bold banana flavor and moistness.
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: For tang and decadent tenderness (choose what you have on hand).
- Milk: Loosens the batter just enough, ensuring the perfect, pourable consistency.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): For crunch and a nutty counterpoint—skip or include to taste!
- Cream cheese (softened): The creamy base of the most luscious, tangy-sweet frosting imaginable.
- Unsalted butter (softened): For a rich, smooth frosting with dreamy consistency.
- Powdered sugar: Brings sweetness and structure to the frosting, melting seamlessly into the mix.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the sharpness of the cream cheese.
- Milk (if needed): Just a splash to achieve spreadable perfection.
How to Make Classic Homemade Banana Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or, if you’d like to create a layer cake, two 9-inch round pans. Taking the extra moment for these steps guarantees that your Classic Homemade Banana Cake will release easily and bake up golden and even.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and (if you’re using it) ground cinnamon. Whisking helps blend everything seamlessly and aerates the flour, setting the cake up for loftiness and a melt-away crumb.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Beat the softened butter with the granulated and light brown sugars in a large bowl, mixing for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key for incorporating air, which helps give the Classic Homemade Banana Cake its signature soft texture and subtle caramel undertone.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. This creates a silky, enriched base for the bananas and keeps your batter cohesive and silky.
Step 5: Add the Bananas, Sour Cream, and Milk
Mix in your mashed bananas, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and milk, blending just until everything is incorporated. These ingredients make the cake incredibly moist and infuse every bite with real banana flavor—don’t be tempted to over-mix here, as a gentle hand keeps the crumb tender.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until no streaks of flour remain. If you want nuts, gently fold in the chopped walnuts now. The batter should look thick and smooth, dotted with banana and (if added) crunchy walnuts.
Step 7: Bake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs lightly to the touch. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the frosting step (the wait is tough, but worth it!).
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the vanilla extract. If the frosting seems too thick, add milk a tablespoon at a time until it’s luxuriously smooth and spreadable. This dreamy frosting is classic for a reason—it perfectly complements the banana flavor.
Step 9: Frost and Slice
Spread the frosting generously over your fully cooled cake. If you like, sprinkle extra walnuts or a dust of cinnamon on top for an inviting touch. Slice into squares or wedges, and watch everyone rush to claim their favorite piece of Classic Homemade Banana Cake!
How to Serve Classic Homemade Banana Cake
Garnishes
The finishing touches make this cake extra inviting! Try a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, a pinch of ground cinnamon, or even thin banana coins across the top. For a little extra pizzazz, a few edible flowers or a drizzle of caramel sauce will make your Classic Homemade Banana Cake the darling of any dessert table.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. For a lighter touch, serve slices alongside juicy berries or a tart fruit compote to offset the cake’s sweetness and keep things bright and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get playful! Layer the cake with frosting and slice into mini squares for a sweet party platter. Or use a round cutter for individual petits fours that look stunning on a cake stand. You can even serve unfrosted slices, toasted under the broiler and topped with a scoop of ice cream—the possibilities for Classic Homemade Banana Cake are endless and always delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Classic Homemade Banana Cake moist and fresh, store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake will happily keep its tenderness and flavor for up to 5 days—if it lasts that long!
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting. You can also freeze fully frosted cake slices—just be sure to separate them with parchment so they don’t stick together.
Reheating
Enjoy chilled from the fridge, or let slices come to room temperature for the creamiest texture. For a cozier treat, pop a slice (unfrosted or frosted) in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds—just enough to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic. Always reheat gently so the frosting stays creamy and smooth.
FAQs
Can I make this cake without nuts for a nut-free version?
Absolutely! The walnuts are completely optional and can be left out without any impact on the flavor or texture. The Classic Homemade Banana Cake is every bit as delicious and moist nut-free.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Definitely. Either plain Greek yogurt or sour cream gives the cake a wonderful tenderness and slight tang, so feel free to use what you have on hand—they both work beautifully in this recipe.
What kind of bananas are best for Classic Homemade Banana Cake?
The riper the better! Choose bananas with deep brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. Overripe bananas mash smoothly into the batter and give the cake its signature banana aroma and moistness.
How do I know when my cake is done baking?
Check the cake at 35 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s ready. The top should be slightly golden and spring back lightly when touched.
Can I bake this as cupcakes or a layer cake?
Yes, you can! For cupcakes, fill liners two-thirds full and bake 18 to 22 minutes. For a two-layer cake, bake as directed in two round pans. Classic Homemade Banana Cake is flexible for any celebration shape you like!
Final Thoughts
This cake brings together all the best parts of classic comfort baking—ripe bananas, creamy frosting, and homemade love. Give Classic Homemade Banana Cake a spot in your own dessert lineup and watch as it wins hearts at any gathering. I can’t wait for you to share it with the people you love!
Print
Classic Homemade Banana Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of a classic homemade banana cake with creamy cream cheese frosting. This moist and flavorful cake is a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking pans.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars, add eggs, vanilla, mashed bananas, sour cream, and milk.
- Mix dry and wet: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, fold in walnuts, and pour into pan.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
- Frost the cake: Spread frosting over cooled cake and serve.
Notes
- For extra banana flavor, use very ripe bananas.
- Can be baked as a layer cake or cupcakes.
- Store cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
