This moist and decadent banana bread cake is made even more irresistible with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ingredients, construction, variations, and tips to help you achieve the perfect banana bread cake.
Ingredients:
For the Banana Bread Cake:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired sweetness and consistency)
- A pinch of salt (optional, to balance sweetness)
Construction (How to Make the Banana Bread Cake):
1. Prepare the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the mashed bananas until evenly incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Make the cream cheese frosting:
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk (a teaspoon at a time) to reach the desired consistency.
- Taste the frosting and adjust the sweetness, adding more powdered sugar if needed.
3. Frost the cake:
- Once the banana bread cake has completely cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top using a spatula or knife.
- Slice and serve!
Variations:
- Add-ins:
- You can add nuts such as chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
- Chocolate chips or chunks can also be added for a richer flavor.
- Cinnamon or nutmeg can be sprinkled into the batter for extra warmth and spice.
- Healthy Substitutions:
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
- Swap out the sour cream for Greek yogurt to reduce fat.
- Substitute half the butter with applesauce or coconut oil for a lighter option.
- Use coconut sugar or honey instead of granulated sugar for a more natural sweetener.
- Frosting Variations:
- For a lighter frosting, you can whip up whipped cream cheese frosting by adding whipped cream to the cream cheese frosting.
- If you prefer a chocolate twist, melt some chocolate and mix it into the frosting for a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- Vegan Option:
- Use a plant-based butter substitute and vegan cream cheese for the frosting.
- Replace the eggs with flax eggs or a chia egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg).
- Use a dairy-free sour cream or unsweetened applesauce as a substitute.
Tips:
- Bananas: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
- Mixing the Batter: Don’t overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added. Stir until just combined to keep the cake tender and light.
- Cake Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. If storing in the fridge, let the cake come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Frosting: If you’re not a fan of super sweet frosting, adjust the powdered sugar to your taste preference. You can also skip the frosting altogether for a simpler banana bread.
- Even Layers: If you want a neater, more professional look, try cutting the cake into even layers before frosting it for a layered banana bread cake look.
Enjoy your delicious and moist banana bread cake topped with creamy frosting! It’s perfect for dessert, afternoon tea, or a special occasion.