Introduction
Banana Cake with Buttercream Frosting is a moist, tender cake made with ripe bananas that give it natural sweetness and flavor. Paired with rich, creamy buttercream frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance between homestyle comfort and indulgence. It’s a wonderful way to use overripe bananas and makes a crowd-pleasing dessert for birthdays, family gatherings, or simple teatime treats.
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt (keeps it moist)
½ cup milk
For the Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and bananas: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and mashed bananas. Mix until well combined.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry mixture, alternating with sour cream and milk. Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake 30–35 minutes for a 9×13 pan (or 25–30 minutes for round pans), until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely before frosting.
Make frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well. Add vanilla, salt, and cream (one tablespoon at a time) until smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.
Frost cake: Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Optionally garnish with banana slices, nuts, or a drizzle of caramel.
Description
This Banana Cake with Buttercream Frosting is moist, sweet, and full of banana flavor, with a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The creamy buttercream adds just the right amount of sweetness and richness, making each bite indulgent and satisfying.
Tips and Variations
Add crunch: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
Chocolate twist: Add chocolate chips to the batter or drizzle the frosted cake with melted chocolate.
Spiced version: Increase cinnamon or add nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor.
Frosting flavors: Try cream cheese frosting for tanginess, or peanut butter buttercream for a banana–peanut butter combo.
Lighter option: Use less sugar in both cake and frosting for a mildly sweet version.
Layer cake style: Bake in two round pans and frost in between layers for a more elegant presentation.
Correction
Some banana cake recipes use only granulated sugar, but adding a portion of brown sugar gives extra moisture and a deeper flavor. Similarly, sour cream or yogurt prevents the cake from drying out, unlike recipes that rely solely on butter and milk.
Enjoy
Serve your Banana Cake with Buttercream Frosting as a delightful dessert or afternoon treat. Moist, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, it’s sure to become a favorite for both special occasions and everyday indulgence.