Name: Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 pieces Ripe Bananas, mashed (Very ripe with brown spots for best flavor); 1/2 cup Sour Cream (Room temperature); 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened to room temperature); 1 cup Granulated Sugar; 2 large Eggs (Room temperature); 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract; 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Spoon and leveled); 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened to room temperature); 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar (Sifted, add more for sweetness)

Jump to Recipe

Creamy, comforting, and perfectly banana-forward, this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Soft, moist cake flecked with ripe banana flavor and topped with a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting makes every bite irresistible. Fun fact: banana desserts were popularized in home baking after bananas became widely available in the early 1900s — home cooks quickly discovered that overripe bananas are a secret weapon for moist cakes. This recipe is wonderfully simple, quick to prepare, and family-friendly, which is why I often turn to it on busy weeknights. If you enjoy variations, check out my twist on a loaf version at banana bread cake with cream cheese frosting recipe for another way to enjoy the same flavors. Get ready — this cake is easy, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.

What is Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?

What’s in a name? Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is exactly what it promises: a tender banana-flavored cake crowned with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Why is it called that — did someone wake up and decide to put cream cheese on everything? Maybe. Have you ever made a cake so good you wanted to name it after the personality of the baker? Probably. And as the old saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Whether you need something to impress dinner guests or a sweet snack for the kids, this cake fits the bill. Give it a try and see why we all keep coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This

Moist, Banana-Rich Texture: The mashed ripe bananas and a touch of sour cream make the cake unbelievably tender and juicy — each bite is soft and flavorful.
Economical and Simple: This uses pantry staples and overripe bananas you might otherwise toss, saving money while turning scrap fruit into dessert gold.
Flavor Contrast from the Frosting: The cream cheese frosting adds a pleasantly tangy finish that balances the cake’s sweetness and makes it taste professionally made.

Compared to other treats like a plain vanilla cake, this banana cake brings natural fruit flavor and a homier, more comforting profile. If you liked other banana desserts on the blog, try the banana cake with cream cheese frosting page for more inspiration. Ready to bake? Let’s go.

How to Make

Quick Overview

This recipe is straightforward: mash, mix, bake, and frost. It’s beginner-friendly and delivers a moist cake with a soft crumb and a creamy frosting. Prep time is about 15 minutes, and bake time is 25–30 minutes, so you’ll have dessert in under an hour. The standout element is the silky cream cheese frosting that pairs perfectly with the banana flavor.

Prep + Cook Time

Preparation: 15 minutes
Baking: 25–30 minutes
Total: ~45 minutes

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups mashed; very ripe with brown spots for best flavor)
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted (add more if you prefer a sweeter, thicker frosting)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and dust lightly with flour, tapping out excess, or line with parchment for easy removal. Let the pan sit while you prepare the batter.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed; scrape down the bowl as needed.
Add the 2 large eggs one at a time, beating briefly after each addition until incorporated. Stir in the 3 ripe mashed bananas (make sure they’re well mashed) and 1/2 cup sour cream, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until combined but don’t overbeat.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture in two additions, folding gently or mixing on low until just combined. Stop when there are no large streaks of flour.
Pour the batter into the prepared 9-inch pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to keep the cake moist.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is important so the frosting doesn’t melt.
For the frosting, beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable. If the frosting is too thin, add a tablespoon more powdered sugar at a time. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake, slice, and enjoy!

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

What to Serve With

Fresh fruit salad or sliced strawberries to brighten the plate.
A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Light coffee cake sides like a simple green salad if serving as part of a brunch.
Beverage pairings: medium-roast coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk for kids.

Top Tips for Perfecting

Use very ripe bananas: The darker the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake will be.
Room temperature ingredients: Let eggs, butter, and cream cheese sit at room temp for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
Don’t overmix: When adding flour, mix until just combined to avoid a dense cake.
Frosting sweetness: Start with the smaller amount of powdered sugar and add more to suit your taste — the cream cheese provides tang, so balance it carefully.
Even baking: If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil and continue baking until the center is set.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Refrigeration: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration.
Freezing: Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frosting.
Reheating: For single slices, bring to room temperature or warm gently in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes (remove frosting first if you prefer warm cake without melted frosting). Avoid microwaving frosted slices — it can make the frosting runny.

FAQs

Can I use less sugar in the cake?
Yes, you can reduce the granulated sugar by up to 1/4 cup without drastically altering texture, but expect a slightly less sweet result.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream?
Absolutely. Use plain Greek yogurt in a 1:1 ratio for a similar tang and moisture.

How ripe should the bananas be?
Very ripe — the skins should be heavily spotted or mostly brown. The sweeter and softer they are, the better the banana flavor.

Can I make cupcakes instead of a cake?
Yes. Bake the batter in lined muffin tins at 350°F for about 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Why is my cake dense?
Common causes: overmixing after adding flour, not enough leavening, or under-ripened bananas. Mix gently and measure ingredients accurately.

Conclusion

This Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a simple, reliable recipe that showcases warm banana flavor and a creamy, tangy frosting — perfect for family gatherings or weekend baking. It’s forgiving for bakers of all levels and economical, turning overripe bananas into a memorable dessert. If you want to compare a popular variation and technique, see the details in this excellent round-up of banana cake inspiration at The Best Banana Cake I’ve Ever Had – Sally’s Baking. For another similar recipe that pairs banana bread textures with cream cheese frosting, check out this creative take on a loaf-style cake at Amazing Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Enjoy baking, share a slice, and let me know how yours turns out!