Easy Banana Cake with Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting – just the recipe you were looking for to use up those ripe bananas! I hate throwing out extra ripe bananas and am always looking for ways to use them in baking. This cake is one of our favorites! Make sure to try these Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies and Double Chocolate Banana Applesauce Muffins the next time you have a few extra bananas lying around.
Banana Cake
Last Saturday we all walked through the front door after a grueling day at the pool. The boys had their first official swim meet of the season and we arrived at the pool at 6:45 a.m. and didn’t leave until after 3 p.m. Also…it was HOT.
I think we all felt completely wiped out after the long day and all I wanted to do was drink insane amounts of ice water. Both of the boys did exceptionally well at the meet and Reece’s relay team set a new record. That race was honestly the most exciting 1.13 minutes of my year.
Ripe Bananas Should NEVER Get Thrown Out… Repeat After Me
I walked in and a bunch of really ripe bananas were siting on the counter staring at me. Accusingly. Use us Trish, eat us.
I wasn’t feeling the idea of banana bread (for the first time in my life) and so took the night to think on it. We love baking with bananas. Whether it’s Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies or Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake – bananas add a natural sweetness and moistness to all manner of baked goods. Not to mention the vitamins!
So what did we come up with?
Banana Cake y’all. Easy Banana Cake. With Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Yes. That’s what needed to happen with those bananas.
How Many Bananas Do I Need?
Three! I started with my favorite banana bread recipe and started playing around with it to transform the “bread” into a “cake”.
It was a little bit tricky but I’m happy to say – I nailed it! Light and rich with banana flavor, this cake is incredibly moist due to the three bananas and brown sugar in the recipe.
Truth time. This cake you are looking at is three days old already. I waited to frost it the day that I photographed it but the cake is seriously three days old. And utterly amazing.
That wasn’t the plan, of course. It’s just been a busy, busy week as the boys finish up the school year: field trips, class parties, picnics, etc. And I like to be there for every.single.minute. Hence, cakes sit on the counter and wait. And wait. And are then promptly devoured.
Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
So let’s get to the best part about this cake…the frosting. Last week I made Brown Butter White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies and I’m still dreaming about them every night.
I seriously want to #brownbutterallthetthings.
This frosting is pretty much the greatest thing on earth. I made my Nana’s cream cheese frosting that I use on her carrot cake recipe but browned the butter first. And then added maple to that. My Nana would be so proud 🙂
Life changing. Promise.
Sweet and smooth and the perfect complement to this easy banana cake recipe.
How To Make Banana Cake At Home
This easy banana cake recipe is so easy to make and is a regular staple in our house. My recipe is for banana cake without buttermilk. It can even be enjoyed without the frosting!
- Preheat your oven and lightly spray the baking dish or line with parchment.
- Beat the bananas and butter together.
- Add in sugar and cream together.
- Mix in the vanilla and eggs until completely combined.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and gradually add the wet mixture stirring just until combined.
- Fold in optional chopped nuts.
- Bake for 23 to 27 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely.
More Cake Recipes To Try
- Orange Creamsicle Cake
- Cookies and Cream Oreo Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Texas Sheet Cake
- Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake
How To Make Banana Cake
Easy Banana Snack Cake with Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Banana Cake
- 3 bananas
- 8 tbsp butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup chopped nuts optional
Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 tbsp butter
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup chopped nuts optional
Instructions
Banana Cake
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Beat bananas and butter together in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Add the sugars and cream together with the butter and banana mixture.
- Mix in the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, mixing until completely combined.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and gradually add the wet mixture stirring just until combined.
- Fold in optional chopped nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 23 to 27 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
Brown Butter Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The butter will start to foam and then start browning. You will be able to smell a nutty aroma when it's ready. Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Beat browned butter and cream cheese together until completely blended, light, and fluffy.
- Beat in the maple extract and powdered sugar, a half a cup at a time.
- Spread frosting onto cooled cake and sprinkle on chopped nuts if desired.
Nutrition
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Sally says
This is the best frosting I’ve ever made! I only had 1 banana so I cut the recipe in half and baked it in an 8×8 pan. Came out perfect. I added nuts and coconut and wow what a banana cake! My husband was soooo happy as he loves maple bars and nuts so this fit his cravings. My Granddaughter couldn’t stop eating the frosting before it could get to the cake. I’ve never tried a brown butter frosting but will definitely keep this recipe. You have a winner. Keep up the great baking.
luv2bgramma says
I’ve been on the hunt for a “true” banana cake recipe that’s not just a banana bread with cream cheese frosting and I’ve finally found it! This is one of the BEST cakes my husband and I have EVER had! Banana or any other kind of cake! And it’s SO EASY to make! I followed the recipe exactly cause that’s what I always do the first time. I figure its only fair to follow the instructions exactly as written the first time you make a recipe and then you can make changes later if needed. But this cake needs no adjustments at all!!
Julia says
I made this substitutes baking power with plain yogurt, my bananas are small four to five inches so I used four of them. Absolutely fabulous. So perfectly light. Delicious.
Leslie Brockert says
This recipe is excellent. I am so happy to have stumbled across your blog today. The cake is so moist and the browned butter cream cheese frosting takes it over the top. I will be making this again for sure!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Leslie!
Nana says
Made this cake last night and we just love it! Not a fan of maple so did not ice at all. Sprinkled a little icing sugar – just to make it pretty lol. Honestly it is the best banana cake I’ve ever had. Perfect “snack” cake because it is great to cut from pan and go – add a glass of milk or a cup of coffee and you’re set. Last night, while warm, we put a small scoop of vanilla ice cream with it – yikes it was so good!!! Thank goodness we stopped at one piece each lol. First thing this am – piece of cake, before breakfast lol 🙂
I did make a small change, I only used 1/4 cup of white sugar and added one banana – just because I had 4.
Thanks for all the great recipes!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Fantastic! I’m so glad you loved it!
Suzzanne says
My son and I absolutely loved this cake. I had never done brown butter before a d it is amazing! Thank you
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Riiiiight? Brown butter is literally life changing. Try it in cookies next! *These are a favorite: https://www.momontimeout.com/brown-butter-white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-cookies-recipe/
PM says
Absolutely delicious! My family loves it. Thanks for sharing.:)
Donna says
Ok, call me crazy, but I just don’t like maple flavor! I’m assuming I can just substitute vanilla extract for it??
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely Donna!
Pamela says
This would be PERFECT as a mid-day snack for my kids. Thanks for sharing!
Joan Hayes says
I was gonna say you had me at banana, but then I read “brown butter maple cream cheese frosting,” and then you REALLY had me. I love absolutely everything about this, and can’t wait to make it! : )
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Brown butter is my life now Joan. I seriously see something and I’m like “I bet brown butter in that would be amazing!” I’m completely addicted 🙂 Thank you!
marcie says
This cake looks delicious, Trish, and I can’t get over how delicious that icing sounds! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
The icing is seriously spoon-worthy Marcie. I couldn’t get enough of it! Thank you!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
GAH!! That frosting looks unbelievable!! This cake would be simply devoured in my house! Pinned. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Renee!! The frosting was licked right off the top in my house 😉
Randy Winter says
Step 4 says “Add the sugars and cream together.” What cream?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Randy! The sugar needs to be added to the butter and banana mixture and mixed together until creamy. That’s what “cream together” means. Hope that helps!
Gina says
Well doesn’t that look delicious!!! YUM!
Mir says
Frosting like that IS life-changing. So is taking the time to make something other than another banana bread. This looks MUCH better. I guess all that pool time makes for good creativity!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It sure does Mir! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!