Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Banana Cake:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened: Adds richness and ensures a moist texture.
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and balances the tang of the sour cream.
  • 2 large eggs: These help bind everything together and give the cake structure.
  • 1 cup sour cream (full-fat is best): Adds moisture and a slight tang, making the cake extra tender.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the bananas and adds warmth.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, giving it structure.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda: The leavening agent that helps the cake rise and stay light.
  • ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
  • 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 ripe bananas): The star of the show! The riper, the better for deep banana flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened: Makes the frosting rich and creamy.
  • 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese (full-fat is best): Adds that classic tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a lovely, sweet aroma to the frosting.
  • 3 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while giving it a smooth, fluffy texture.
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream: Helps the frosting become silky and spreadable.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter and 1½ cups sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important because it helps create a soft, tender crumb for your cake.

3. Add Eggs, Sour Cream, and Vanilla

Next, beat in the 2 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well incorporated. The sour cream not only keeps the cake moist but also adds a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the bananas.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake tough.

5. Add the Bananas

Gently fold in the 1 cup mashed bananas until evenly distributed throughout the batter. You’ll want to use bananas that are very ripe (with plenty of brown spots) to get that deep, sweet banana flavor.

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6. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool the Cake

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. This step is essential before frosting, or the frosting will melt and slide right off!

8. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake is cooling, it’s time to make that dreamy cream cheese frosting! In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened butter and 8 oz cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more cream to reach your desired consistency.

9. Frost the Cake

Once the cake has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can use a spatula or a butter knife to get a nice, smooth finish.

10. Slice and Serve

Cut the cake into squares and serve. For an extra special touch, you can garnish with banana slices, chopped nuts, or even a dusting of cinnamon!

Tips for the Best Banana Bread Cake

  • Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be. Look for bananas that are heavily spotted or even turning brown.
  • Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid a dense, tough cake.
  • Cool Before Frosting: Make sure the cake has cooled completely before adding the cream cheese frosting, or the frosting will melt and become runny.
  • Full-Fat Dairy is Best: Using full-fat sour cream and cream cheese gives this cake the richest flavor and texture.

Customization Ideas

  • Add Mix-Ins: Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or even chocolate chips to the batter for an extra flavor boost.
  • Banana Bundt Cake: Want a fancier presentation? Bake this banana bread cake in a bundt pan and drizzle the cream cheese frosting on top.
  • Banana Cupcakes: Turn this recipe into banana cupcakes by dividing the batter into a muffin tin and reducing the baking time to about 18-20 minutes.
  • Cinnamon Swirl: For a fun twist, swirl some cinnamon sugar through the batter before baking.
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