Best Banana Cake

This Best Banana Cake Recipe is ultra-moist, made with ripe bananas, and topped with a rich, sweet cream cheese frosting. It’s a classic homemade banana cake that’s easy to make and perfect for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or anytime you’re craving a comforting dessert.

Easy Best Banana Cake Recipe

This banana cake is ideal for putting those overripe bananas to use. It happens to us all from time to time. A beautiful bunch of bananas we brought home from the grocery store ripens a bit quicker than expected, and we need to transform them into something else to save the day. Whether it’s cinnamon toffee banana nut bread, banana bread muffins or mixed berry banana smoothie from Food Network there are many options.

I can’t imagine a better use for overripe bananas than to combine them with standard pantry ingredients and turn them into this old fashioned banana sheet cake. Mixed by hand using a whisk, it’s a simple compilation of comforting banana dessert flavors. 

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make the Banana Cake with oil and sour cream: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour, forms the base of the cake batter.
• Leavening – Baking powder, baking soda and salt give rise to the cake while baking.
• Bananas – Overripe bananas give this cake its signature flavor.
• Spices – A small amount of ground cinnamon gives the cake warm cozy flavor notes.
• Oil – Vegetable oil for richness.
• Sour Cream – Sour cream gives the cake batter a creamy texture.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the batter.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract enhances the flavor.
• Cream Cheese Frosting – Softened plain cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, heavy cream and vanilla extract.
• Nuts – Toasted Pecans for garnishing.

How to Make the Best Banana Cake Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat oven ad spray with baking spray a 13×9 inch baking pan. Set aside.
• Sift Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
• Wet Ingredients – Whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until sugar is dissolved. Whisk in mashed banana until well blended.
• Combine – Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
• Transfer to Pan – Pour cake batter into prepared pan.
• Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe until a tester inserted into the center shows moist crumbs.
• Cool – Cool cake completely, then top with cream cheese frosting
• Garnish – Sprinkle top with toasted pecans or walnuts and enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Banana Cake Recipe

• Large bowl and medium bowl.
• Balloon whisk.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Plate and fork to mash the bananas.
• Hand mixer to make the cream cheese frosting.
• Baking sheet to toast the chopped pecans.
• 13×9-inch baking dish or cake pan.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Cinnamon – You can use pumpkin pie spice in place of the ground cinnamon called for in this cake. The pumpkin pie spice seasoning blend complements the thick banana batter extremely well.
• Nuts – You can add 1 cup of toasted pecans or walnuts to the cake batter in addition to the garnish.
• Flavorings – You can add use a variety of flavorings for this banana cake. For example, you could use rum extract or brandy extract for an enhancement to the flavor.
• Cream Cheese Frosting – In place of the cream cheese frosting, you could top this cake with a vanila buttercream icing or serve it simply dusted with powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream, if preferred.
• Fresh Banana Slices – If you choose to garnish the cake with fresh banana slices, toss them lightly in lemon juice and place on top of the cake just before serving to delay browning.
• Pan Options – This cake batter can be transformed into an 8-inch three layer cake or 24 cupcakes. Bake in prepared cake pans for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean, then cool and frost as desired.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – For a time saver, this cake can be baked in advance and popped into the freezer. Thaw the cake in the fridge and then add the frosting just before serving. Freezing right after baking locks the moisture into the cake.
• Leftovers – Store this frosted Banana Cake sheet cake covered with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – You can store leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy!

More Southern Banana Dessert Recipes to Make

We’re banana for bananas and love them in pretty much any form. More easy banana dessert recipes you may also like to try:

• This Banana Pudding Lush is one more way to enjoy a Southern classic.
• Mile High Banana Cream Pie is proof that no skimpy pies will ever be allowed in my Southern Style kitchen.
• Start your day with a stack of homemade Banana Pancakes.
• The chocolate fans at your dessert table will flip for this Chocolate Banana Pudding. 
• Banana Pudding Ice Cream is the perfect way to cool down.
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are a delicious mid morning snack.
• The kids will love these frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites. 

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stand Mixer
• Cooling Racks
• Measuring Set
• 13×9-inch Pan