Banana Cake - Annrecipes

There’s something timeless and heartwarming about a slice of homemade Banana Cake — soft, moist, and bursting with the rich sweetness of ripe bananas. Whether it’s served warm from the oven, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, or enjoyed plain with your morning coffee, this cake brings comfort in every bite.

This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a bakery-style dessert that feels like a hug in cake form. If you’ve ever had extra bananas sitting on your counter, this is the perfect way to give them a second life — and your family will thank you for it.

🧁 Why You’ll Love This Banana Cake

This cake is moist, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Unlike banana bread, which is dense and hearty, banana cake has a light, tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of recipe that works for any occasion — from birthday celebrations to cozy weekend baking.

Here’s what makes it irresistible:

Super soft and fluffy texture that stays moist for days.
Rich banana flavor without being overly sweet.
Easy to make — no fancy tools or techniques needed.
Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or frost it however you like!

🍌 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

2 to 3 very ripe bananas (mashed)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar as a substitute)

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup mini chocolate chips

For the Frosting (Optional but Recommended):

8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mash the Bananas

In a small bowl, mash your ripe bananas until smooth. The riper, the better — they’ll bring more sweetness and moisture to your cake.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your cake rises evenly and stays light.

4. Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.

5. Combine Wet and Dry

Add the mashed bananas to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Then, alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix!

6. Add Extras (Optional)

Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.

7. Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

🎂 Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, make the frosting.
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and fluffy.
Spread over the cooled cake, and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle with chopped nuts or banana slices.