Description
This easy banana cake recipe utilizes a yellow cake mix combined with ripe bananas and warm spices to create a moist, flavorful dessert. Topped with a creamy cinnamon-infused cream cheese frosting, it’s a perfect treat for any occasion with a tender crumb and rich, sweet finish.
Ingredients
Banana Cake
- 16.25 oz. box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (approx. 1 cup)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4.4 oz. full-fat block cream cheese, at room temperature
- 60 g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with butter or a non-stick spray. Optionally, line the base with parchment paper for easier cake removal. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yellow cake mix, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed ripe bananas, eggs, whole milk, olive oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Using electric beaters, mix on low to medium speed for about 40 seconds until all ingredients are blended, careful not to over-mix to keep the batter light and fluffy.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula if needed.
- Bake Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then carefully remove it from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together for 1 minute on medium speed using electric beaters. Scrape down the bowl sides to ensure even mixing.
- Add Sugar and Cinnamon: Sift the powdered sugar together with ground cinnamon, then add to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium-high speed for 40 seconds until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and well combined.
- Frost Cake: Evenly spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled banana cake using an offset spatula or knife.
- Serve: Slice the cake into 18 portions and serve. Enjoy your moist, spiced banana cake with creamy frosting!
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
- Do not over-mix the batter to prevent the cake from becoming dense.
- Letting the cake cool completely before frosting prevents the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute olive oil with a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
