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Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This comforting banana cake, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, is moist, tender, and perfect for any occasion. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups ripe bananas, mashed (about 3 medium) The browner the bananas, the more banana flavor.
  • 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons lemon juice Keeps the bananas bright.
  • 3 cups 3 cups flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 0.25 teaspoons 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 0.75 cups 3/4 cup butter, softened Use unsalted butter for better control over salt.
  • 2.125 cups 2 1/8 cups sugar
  • 3 large 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
For the Frosting
  • 0.5 cups 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 8-ounce package 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 3.5 cups 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Toppings
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts For topping, optional.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F and grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.
  2. Mix the mashed bananas with lemon juice and set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
  5. Beat in the eggs one at a time and stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.
  6. Add the flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour.
  7. Fold in the banana mixture until swirls of banana appear in the batter.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. After removing from the oven, place the warm pan directly in the freezer for 45 minutes.
Frosting
  1. Cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla, then slowly mix in powdered sugar and whip until fluffy.
  3. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and top with chopped walnuts if desired.
Serving
  1. Slice and serve the cake. Pair slices with fresh berries or a citrus salad.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, let slices come to room temperature or microwave for 10–15 seconds.