Incredibly Moist Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The first time I brought this banana cake to game night, it disappeared within minutes. My friends, even those who claimed they “don’t do dessert,” were fighting over the last piece. What makes this cake so irresistible? The secret lies in the buttermilk and whipped eggs that create an incredibly moist, fluffy texture that standard banana bread can’t match. This family recipe originated from Sue A. Mertens Minick of Hazelwood, MO (yes, we’re related!), who discovered my website and graciously shared this treasure, which is now the most requested treat at every gathering I attend.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Makes This Banana Cake Recipe So Good?

This banana cake achieves its extraordinary moisture and texture through two key techniques. First, buttermilk provides acidity that tenderizes the gluten in the flour, while adding a subtle tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness. Second, whipping the eggs before adding them incorporates air pockets that expand during baking, resulting in an exceptionally light and fluffy crumb. Combined with the natural moisture from perfectly ripened bananas, these elements create a cake that stays deliciously moist for days—if it lasts that long! The cream cheese frosting provides the perfect tangy complement to the sweet, banana-rich cake.

Ingredients for Banana Cake from Scratch

I have made a list of everything you will need to make the best banana cake recipe. Take a look and make sure you are prepared!

• Shortening – Creates a tender, moist crumb with a neutral flavor that lets the banana shine
• Sugar – Provides sweetness and helps create an airy texture when creamed with shortening
• Eggs – Contribute structure, richness, and leavening when properly whipped
• All-purpose flour – Forms the cake’s structure while maintaining tenderness
• Baking powder – Provides primary leavening for a fluffy, light texture
• Baking soda – Reacts with buttermilk to create additional rise and tenderness
• Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness
• Mashed bananas – Deliver signature flavor and natural moisture
• Buttermilk – Creates exceptional tenderness and slight tanginess
• Vanilla extract – Adds depth and warmth that complements the banana flavor

For Cream Cheese Frosting

• Butter – Provides rich flavor and creamy structure
• Cream cheese – Creates tangy contrast to the sweet cake
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting
• Vanilla extract – Adds aromatic warmth and depth
• Nuts (optional) – Add textural contrast and visual appeal as decoration

P.S. Most of it will probably already be in your pantry.

How to Make Banana Cake

1. To make this moist banana cake, start by creaming together the shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2. Then add the beaten eggs and mix everything together until it is completely combined.

3. For the dry ingredients, sift together the baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and cream them together.

5. Next, add the mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla extract and beat it all together until it is well-mixed.

6. Then, pour the banana cake mixture into a 9×13 inch greased pan and bake it at 350°F in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

7. Test the cake with a toothpick, and if it comes out clean, then it’s done.

You can enjoy this cake plain without frosting. However, the addition of some creamy frosting makes it totally irresistible!

Best Frosting for Banana Cake

I LOVE pairing this moist banana cake with cream cheese frosting.

The cream cheese frosting is so good, with the banana flavor, it’s divine! However, if you’re a chocolate lover, consider using a chocolate buttercream frosting or even a peanut butter frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make the frosting:

• Butter
• Cream Cheese
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Nuts, are optional to sprinkle on top.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Banana Cake

1. Mix softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Slowly add in powdered sugar while mixing on low speed. Then mix in the vanilla.

3. Spread the frosting over the cake and sprinkle nuts on top.

How to Store Banana Cake

You can store this recipe at room temperature or in the fridge. It will last longer in the fridge. Just note if you top the cake with cream cheese frosting or any frosting with butter, it will need to be refrigerated.

You can also freeze this banana cake. I would suggest slicing it up and individually wrapping the slices to freeze it. That way, when you want some banana cake, you can pull out a piece at a time and let it thaw on the counter.  

Can you make this Banana Cake recipe into cupcakes?

This banana snack cake recipe would do wonderfully as cupcakes. You can keep the baking temperature at 350°F, but you will need to change the cooking time. I would say to bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, but keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.

Storage and Reheating

Room Temperature Storage (2-3 Days)

1. Store unfrosted cake covered with plastic wrap at room temperature.
2. If frosted with cream cheese frosting, refrigerate the cake instead.

Refrigeration (Up to 1 Week)

1. Store frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
2. For best flavor, allow cake to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
3. The cake may become more dense when chilled but will return to its moist texture when brought to room temperature.

Freezing (Up to 3 Months)

1. For whole unfrosted cake: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil.
2. For individual slices: Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.
3. For frosted cake: Freeze uncovered until frosting is solid, then wrap in plastic wrap and foil.
4. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for 2-3 hours at room temperature.

Love bananas? Try these recipes!

• Banana Cream Pie
• Bananas Foster
• Banana Milkshake
• Banana Pudding
• Banana Split Cake
• Starbucks Banana Bread

Popular Cake Recipes

• Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Hershey Bar Cake
• Jello Poke Cake
• Mountain Dew Cake
• Pig Pickin Cake
• Sock It To Me Cake
• Zucchini Cake

Check out more of my easy cake recipes and the best dessert recipes here on CopyKat!

The recipe comes from Sue A. Mertens Minick from Hazelwood, MO. She actually found this site on the internet! And yes, she is family 🙂