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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Baked Goods

Easy Banana Cake

Published: Jun 27, 2020 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 16 Comments

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Diet: Vegetarian
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Banana cake with a text title overlay.

We all know and love banana bread, but this light and fluffy Banana Cake is next level. Smothered in a vanilla cream cheese frosting, it is totally indulgent and the best way to use bananas.

Iced Banana Cake on a red plate with a fork. Two bottles of milkshake are in the background.

There really aren't enough words to describe just how GOOD this cake is. It's light, moist, sticky, and beats regular banana bread by a mile. You could just slice the cake up as it is, but why not go all out with the vanilla cream cheese frosting. You will want to put it on everything!

Jump to:
  • Why you will love it
  • How to make banana cake - Step by step
  • What spices can you use?
  • What else can you add in?
  • Do I have to use buttermilk?
  • Frosting
  • Can you make these as cupcakes?
  • FAQs
  • Extra tips
  • More cake recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why you will love it

  • Better than banana bread
  • A good way to use up over ripe bananas
  • Moist and fluffy cake
  • Kids love it!

How to make banana cake - Step by step

One: In a small bowl, mash the bananas.

A bowl containing mashed bananas.

Two: In a larger bowl, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy.

A mixing bowl with beaten butter and sugar.

Three: Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Beaten sugar and butter in a mixing bowl with three cracked eggs.

Four: Add the mashed banana and mix well.

Banana cake batter in a mixing bowl.

Five: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.

Flour and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Six: Add the flour mixture gradually to the large bowl, stirring well.

The flour and cinnamon added to the banana mixture.

Seven: Gently stir in the chocolate chips and buttermilk.

Banana cake batter in a bowl with buttermilk and chocolate chips.

Eight: Pour the mixture in to a greased and lined 10x12 inch baking tray. Put in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/Gas 5 for 50 minutes, until a knife comes out clear.

A lined cake tin containing banana cake batter.

Nine: To make the frosting, mix together the cream cheese and mascarpone. Then gradually add the icing sugar and the vanilla and mix well.

Vanilla frosting in a mixing bowl.

Ten: Once the cake it cooked, remove it from the oven and pan and put on a cooling rack and cool for at least an hour. Spread with the frosting and put in the fridge for a couple of hours for the frosting to set.

A cake with frosting being spread over it.

What spices can you use?

I have always loved cinnamon in banana bread, so it made sense to use it in this banana cake too. However, you could use ginger or nutmeg, or a mixture of all of them.

What else can you add in?

What I love about these kinds of cakes, is that there are so many ways you can adapt them and add in different things. We have gone with dark chocolate chips, as they go well with bananas, however you could use white or milk chocolate chips instead.

You don't have to use chocolate chips at all. You could mix in some raisins or dried cherries, chopped pecans or walnuts or even some fresh banana slices if you wanted to add even more banana flavour. Sometimes I like to put some banana slices on top with a sprinkling of crushed walnuts.

Iced banana cake cut into squares.

Do I have to use buttermilk?

Buttermilk is what makes this cake so incredibly moist and delicious, however it isn't an ingredient that most people just have on hand. You could instead add a table spoon of white vinegar or lemon juice (this is the acid) to a measuring jug and then add whole milk until it makes up 300ml. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in this recipe.

Frosting

You don't have to add frosting to this cake, and it is still delicious (and certainly less messy) without it, however the frosting just takes it to another level. A mixture of cream cheese and mascarpone with icing sugar and vanilla. So simple, but deliciously indulgent.

You could do a chocolate version by swapping a little of the icing sugar with cocoa powder.

Can you make these as cupcakes?

If, like me, you can't be trusted not to slice off half of the cake. Then cupcakes might be a good option. Divide the mixture between cupcake cases until they are about half full and then back them for 20 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.

A square of iced cake with a piece cut off by a fork.

FAQs

What bananas are best for banana cake?

Over ripe bananas are the best type of bananas to use. Once they are black they might be a bit past their best, but still usable, so try to go for ones that the peel is covered in brown spots. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter and more intense banana flavour the cake will have.
If you bananas aren't quite ripe yet, did you know that you can ripen them in the oven? Preheat your oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 and place the unpeeled bananas on a lined baking tray for around 20-25 minutes, until the insides are mushy and the skin is black. Make sure you let them cool completely before handling.

How to store banana cake

You can slice the cake up, wrap the individual slices and they will store well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simple take them out of the freezer and thaw at room temperature and serve cold.

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Extra tips

• You could swap the dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
• Not a fan of cinnamon? Use ginger or nutmeg, or a mixture of the three.
• You could make a chocolate cream frosting by swapping a little of the icing sugar for cocoa powder.
• You can make these in to cupcakes by dividing the batter in to cupcake cases until half full and then baking for 22 minutes.
• Feel free to get creative with extras like raisins, white chocolate chips or chopped pecans or walnuts.

More cake recipes

  • Coffee Loaf Cake with a slice cut off.
    Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake
  • Courgette and lime cake with a slice cut off.
    Courgette and Lime Cake
  • Slow cooker chocolate cake in a bowl with a ball of vanilla ice cream.
    Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake
  • An orange drizzle cake cut into slices.
    Orange Drizzle Cake

If you’ve tried this banana cake recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Banana cake and a fork on a plate

Banana Cake

By: Dannii Martin
We all know and love banana bread, but this light and fluffy Banana Cake is next level.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.95 from 18 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 50 minutes mins
Cooling time: 1 hour hr
Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 566kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 3 Bananas
  • 170 g (0.75 cups) Butter
  • 170 g (0.75 cups) Caster sugar
  • 80 g (0.33 cups) Light brown sugar
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 370 g (3 cups) Plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 0.5 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
  • 75 g (0.33 cups) Dark chocolate chips
  • 300 ml (1.25 cups) Buttermilk

Frosting:

  • 300 g (1.33 cups) Cream cheese
  • 200 g (1 cups) Mascarpone
  • 250 g (2 cups) Icing sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
  • In a small bowl, mash 3 Bananas.
  • In a large bowl, cream 170 g Butter, 170 g Caster sugar and 80 g Light brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
  • Add 3 Eggs and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Add the mashed banana and mix well.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together 370 g Plain flour, 0.5 tablespoon Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Baking powder and 1 teaspoon Baking soda.
  • Add the flour mixture gradually to the large bowl, stirring well.
  • Gently stir in 75 g Dark chocolate chips and 300 ml Buttermilk.
  • Pour the mixture into a greased and lined 10x12 inch baking tray. Put into the oven for 50 minutes, until a knife or skewer comes out clear.
  • To make the frosting, mix together 300 g Cream cheese and 200 g Mascarpone. Then gradually add 250 g Icing sugar and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract and mix well.
  • Once the cake it cooked, remove it from the oven and pan and put on a cooling rack and cool for at least an hour. Spread with the frosting and put in the fridge for a couple of hours for the frosting to set.

Recipe Tips

  • You could swap the dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
  • Not a fan of cinnamon? Use ginger or nutmeg, or a mixture of the three.
  • You could make a chocolate cream frosting by swapping a little of the icing sugar for cocoa powder.
  • You can make these in to cupcakes by dividing the batter in to cupcake cases until half full and then baking for 22 minutes.
  • Feel free to get creative with extras like raisins, white chocolate chips or chopped pecans or walnuts.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 1043IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Lia says

    March 09, 2021 at 11:09 am

    This recipe looks amazing! I am definitely doing this.
    I've never made frosting with cream cheese before though, any advice on which brand is best to use?

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      March 09, 2021 at 11:27 am

      We use full fat Philadelphia.

      Reply
  2. Danielle Wolter says

    June 29, 2020 at 11:39 am

    5 stars
    This came out so perfect and moist. Great, easy to follow instructions. Will definitely be making again!

    Reply
  3. cyndy says

    June 28, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    5 stars
    This cake was amazing and was a great use of bananas in lieu of banana bread. I made chocolate frosting because my kiddos requested it and it was soooo good. Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    June 28, 2020 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    One of our kids loves bananas so this cake is going to be perfect!! Such a yummy idea. We might try it as cupcakes!

    Reply
  5. Traci says

    June 28, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    Easy, delicious, and makes me feel like I'm eating a healthier dessert with the bananas being the star of the show. Great recipe! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    June 28, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so tasty and I love the sound of that frosting!

    Reply
  7. Lisa Huff says

    June 28, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    Ummm yeah, I'm going to need to make this ASAP! I'm drooling! That is some PERFECT looking banana cake!

    Reply
  8. Jordin says

    June 28, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    5 stars
    Yum this cake looks so delicious and easy to make! I can’t wait to make it for my family they will love it!

    Reply
  9. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    June 28, 2020 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious looking cake! A dessert that my whole family would enjoy for sure.

    Reply
  10. Kushigalu says

    June 28, 2020 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    Totally in love with this recipe. This cake was so delicious and super hit.

    Reply
  11. Nart at Cooking with Nart says

    June 28, 2020 at 4:34 am

    5 stars
    This looks SO good. Getting a glass of milk now... Ready to devour the whole thing!!

    Reply
  12. Christie Gagnon says

    June 28, 2020 at 1:24 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow, this cake looks amazing and I just so happen to have some ripe bananas on hand. Can't wait to make this!

    Reply
  13. Emily says

    June 28, 2020 at 12:02 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love everything about this banana cake! The cake is so moist and the frosting is delicious and they complement each other perfectly!

    Reply
  14. Emese says

    June 27, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    5 stars
    I know I should have come for the banana cake, but it just looks absolutely gorgeous with this frosting. I can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  15. Cate says

    June 27, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    Yummm this cake looks SO delicious!! Can't wait to try this!

    Reply
4.95 from 18 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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