Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients (2 – 3 layers, 8″ or 9″ pans):

• 2–3 cups mashed ripe bananas
• 1 cup granulated sugar + ½ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup sour cream or buttermilk
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½–1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
• 1–3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional cinnamon pinch)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line multiple cake pans or a 9×13 pan.
• Cream butter, sugars until fluffy. Mix in eggs, sour cream, vanilla.
• Alternate adding dry ingredients and mashed bananas until just combined.
  
• Bake 25–30 min for layers, or up to 1 hr at lower temp (275°F) for a sheet cake—test with a toothpick.
  
• Cool completely before frosting.

2. Prep frosting

• Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar.
• Add vanilla and cream until smooth and slightly thick. Adjust sweetness/consistency.

3. Assemble

• Spread frosting between cake layers and frost sides/top.
• Garnish with banana slices, crushed vanilla wafers, toasted nuts, or a dusting of cinnamon.
  

✨ Variations

• Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: Use browned butter instead of plain for a nutty depth.
  
• Whipped Cream-Cheese Frosting: Lighter, fluffier texture—fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.
  
• Coffee Twist: Add espresso powder to frosting or batter for a mocha kick.