Banana Cake: the delicious rich recipe for a tasty banana dessert

If you have a few spare ultra-ripe bananas on hand, why not make this delicious moist banana cake recipe? Banana cake is a rich, fluffy yet easy-to-make dessert that's perfect for using up your overripe bananas.

It has a similar intense banana flavor to banana bread but is a sweeter, softer baked treat that's topped with a tangy, zesty cream cheese frosting.

Banana cake is a wonderful dessert to enjoy any time of year. It's especially good for feeding a crowd. Serve it at parties, barbecues, and any other occasion when you're hosting friends and family in your home. This banana cake is sure to be a hit!

How to Make Banana Cake

You'll love how simple it is to make this easy banana cake at home. Your first step is to heat your oven to 350F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray and dust it with some flour. This will make it easy to remove the cake from the pan later. Combine 1 ½ tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 ½ cup of milk in a measuring jug. In a small bowl, mix the banana with the rest of the lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat the eggs in one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and combine until the mixture is fluffy and light. Sift the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Beat some of the flour into the butter mixture, followed by some of the milk, alternating until everything has been added and the batter is just combined.

Gently fold the bananas into the batter, then pour the batter into your baking dish. Turn the heat down to 300F, and bake your cake for 60 to 70 minutes. Remove from oven and place the cake in the freezer for 45 minutes for an extra moist cake. Otherwise, leave it on the counter to cool.

To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in lemon juice and zest, then mix in the powdered sugar until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Decorate the cake, slice, and enjoy!

Tips for Making Moist Banana Cake

For the richest banana flavor, use the ripest bananas you have. The more brown they are, the better.

To ripen bananas more quickly, place them in a paper bag with a few apples overnight.

Don't leave out the baking soda. It's essential for leavening the cake and helping make it soft and fluffy. If you don't have baking soda, you can use baking powder. Use three times the amount of baking powder when substituting it for baking soda.

If your cake is too moist, you may need to bake it a little longer. Keep it in the oven for an extra 5 to 10 minutes. The cake is ready to come out of the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

To make dairy-free banana cake, use oil instead of butter and plant-based milk instead of milk. For the frosting, use your favorite store-bought vegan frosting or make it with coconut milk and powdered sugar.

Only use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It has the best flavor.

Use room-temperature ingredients to make your banana cake.

Don't overmix the batter.

The cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Banana Cake Variations

Once you've mastered the basic banana cake, you can mix in other delicious additions to make your own special version of this tasty treat.

If you want to make a two-layer banana cake, just divide the batter into two pans of the same size. Once baked, simply assemble them by filling them with the cream cheese frosting.

Try adding toasted or candied chopped nuts to your banana cake. Pecans, walnuts, and almonds are fantastic choices.

For an extra sweet treat, try folding some chocolate chips into your cake batter.

Add another layer of flavor by mixing a shot of spiced rum or a liqueur such as amaretto to your cake – don't worry, the alcohol will cook off while the cake bakes in the oven.

You can also try adding in dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, figs, or dates, or mix in some fresh berries like strawberries. Dried coconut is also fabulous in banana cake.

This cake pairs wonderfully with a cream cheese frosting. You can also try a peanut buttercream or chocolate buttercream frosting to make this cake even more rich.

How to Store Banana Cake

Keep your banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for two to 3 days. It will keep fresh for up to five days when refrigerated.

Can You Freeze Banana Cake?

Absolutely! For best results, freeze your banana cake without the frosting as frosting doesn't freeze well. Frozen banana cake will last for 3 months. Thaw it overnight when ready to serve.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray or butter and dust it with flour.

Put 1 ½ tablespoon of lemon juice in a measuring jug. Stir in 1 ½ cups milk. Put aside.

Combine banana with remaining lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat the eggs in one at a time. Mix in vanilla. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and light.

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together.

Alternating between the two, beat in the flour mixture and the milk mixture until the batter is just combined.

Fold in the bananas.

Transfer to the baking dish.

Lower the heat to 300F. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Remove from oven and place the cake in the freezer for 45 minutes.

Beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in lemon juice and zest. Beat in powdered sugar until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Spread the cream cheese frosting on the cake.

Spread it evenly.

Decorate the cake, slice and serve.

Notes

Use a 9×13-inch baking dish to make your banana cake.