13 Tender Banana Cake Recipes with Frosting

There’s something irresistibly comforting about the soft, tender crumb of a banana cake, especially when crowned with a luscious frosting. I still remember the sticky afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the air was thick with the scent of overripe bananas mashed into batter. She’d whip up her simple banana cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting, and we’d devour it warm from the oven, crumbs clinging to our fingers. Those memories fuel my love for experimenting with this timeless treat.

Lately, I’ve been on a banana cake binge in my own kitchen, turning mushy bananas that would otherwise hit the compost into tender masterpieces. With endless frostings—from silky chocolate to zesty citrus—I’ve discovered how versatile and forgiving this cake is, perfect for beginners or busy weeknights. In a world obsessed with waste-free cooking, banana cakes shine by transforming “ugly” fruit into dessert gold.

Classic Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Cake

Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas (mashed), 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 8 oz cream cheese (for frosting), ¼ cup butter (frosting), 3 cups powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 pan. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, then fold in mashed bananas. Mix dry ingredients and combine. Bake 30-35 minutes. 2. For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until fluffy; spread on cooled cake.

This cake delivers ultra-tender texture from ripe bananas’ natural moisture, with cream cheese frosting adding tangy balance. It’s beginner-friendly, naturally sweet, and stores well for days—perfect for potlucks.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas, 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup oil, 2 eggs, 1 cup chocolate chips, ½ cup butter (frosting), 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla.

Steps: 1. Mix wet ingredients (bananas, sugar, oil, eggs), add dry, fold in chips. Bake in 9×9 pan at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. 2. Beat frosting ingredients until light and spreadable; frost cooled cake.

Bursting with melty chips, this version stays incredibly tender and moist. The vanilla buttercream provides creamy contrast, making it a crowd-pleaser for kids’ parties with minimal effort and hidden fruit nutrition.

Peanut Butter Swirl Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients: 4 mashed bananas, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup peanut butter, 2 eggs, ⅓ cup milk; frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup cocoa, ¼ cup butter, 2 tbsp milk.

Steps: 1. Swirl peanut butter into banana batter (mix basics first), bake in loaf pan at 350°F for 45 minutes. 2. Whisk frosting smooth and spread generously.

The peanut butter swirl keeps the cake tender and flavorful, mimicking a Reese’s treat. High in protein from PB, it’s a satisfying snack that curbs sweet cravings healthily.

Coconut Cream Banana Cake with Toasted Coconut Frosting

Ingredients: 3 bananas (mashed), 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ cup coconut milk, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup coconut oil, 2 eggs, 1 cup shredded coconut; frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup coconut cream.

Steps: 1. Blend all cake ingredients, bake in round pan at 350°F for 30 minutes. 2. Mix frosting, top with toasted coconut flakes.

Infused with tropical coconut, this tender cake is dairy-light yet decadent. Benefits include antioxidants from coconut and prolonged moistness—ideal for summer gatherings.

Cinnamon Spice Banana Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas, 1 ¾ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup butter, 2 eggs; frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 cups powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Spice dry ingredients into banana batter, bake 9×13 at 350°F for 25 minutes. 2. Blend frosting and slather on.

Warm spices enhance banana tenderness, evoking fall comfort. Maple frosting adds natural sweetness; it’s anti-inflammatory from spices and freezes well.

Vegan Banana Cake with Coconut Whipped Frosting

Ingredients: 4 mashed bananas, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup coconut sugar, ⅓ cup coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup almond milk; frosting: 2 cans coconut cream (chilled), ¼ cup powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Mix vegan batter, bake in 8×8 at 350°F for 35 minutes. 2. Whip chilled coconut cream with sugar for frosting.

Plant-based and tender without eggs, it’s allergy-friendly with healthy fats. Zero cholesterol makes it a guilt-free indulgence.

Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Almond Butter Frosting

Ingredients: 3 bananas, 2 cups almond flour, ½ cup oat flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup coconut oil, 2 flax eggs; frosting: ½ cup almond butter, ¼ cup maple, 1 cup powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Combine GF batter, bake round pan at 350°F for 30 minutes. 2. Stir frosting smooth and frost.

Nutrient-dense almond flour yields tender results rivaling wheat. Grain-free benefits support digestion, perfect for gluten-sensitive bakers.

Strawberry Swirl Banana Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas, 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, ½ cup strawberry puree; frosting: 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla.

Steps: 1. Swirl strawberries into batter, bake 8×8 at 350°F for 28 minutes. 2. Whip frosting stiff and dollop on.

Fresh strawberry keeps it tender and fruity. Vitamin C boost from berries makes this lighter, refreshing dessert.

Mocha Banana Cake with Coffee Buttercream

Ingredients: 3 bananas, 1 ¾ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp instant coffee; frosting: ½ cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp espresso.

Steps: 1. Dissolve coffee in batter, bake loaf at 350°F for 40 minutes. 2. Cream frosting with espresso and spread.

Coffee amplifies banana tenderness with bold flavor. Antioxidants from both make it an energizing treat without coffee jitters.

Lemon Zest Banana Cake with Citrus Cream Frosting

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas, 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¾ cup sugar, 2 eggs, zest of 2 lemons; frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 cups powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Zest into batter, bake 9×9 at 350°F for 25 minutes. 2. Mix tangy frosting and apply.

Bright lemon cuts banana sweetness for tender balance. Vitamin C perks up this refreshing, digestion-friendly cake.

Walnut Crunch Banana Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

Ingredients: 3 bananas, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup chopped walnuts; frosting: ½ cup browned butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk.

Steps: 1. Fold walnuts into batter, bake 8×8 at 350°F for 35 minutes. 2. Brown butter, mix frosting, frost.

Crunchy walnuts contrast tender cake; omega-3s add health value. Nutty frosting elevates it to gourmet.

Pineapple Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: 3 bananas, 1 ½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup crushed pineapple, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs; frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup caramel sauce, 2 cups powdered sugar.

Steps: 1. Drain pineapple into batter, bake round at 350°F for 30 minutes. 2. Blend frosting with caramel.

Tropical pineapple ensures extra tenderness. Enzyme bromelain aids digestion in this vacation-like delight.

Red Velvet Banana Cake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp cocoa, red food color, ½ cup buttermilk, ¾ cup sugar, 2 eggs; classic cream cheese frosting.

Steps: 1. Tint batter red with cocoa, bake 9×13 at 350°F for 25 minutes. 2. Frost generously.

Velvety tender from bananas-buttermilk duo. Fun twist on classic, with antioxidants from cocoa.

These 13 tender banana cake recipes prove how endlessly adaptable this moist wonder can be—grab those spotty bananas and get baking! Whether for a cozy night in or sharing with friends, you’ll love the ease and rave reviews. Which one will you try first? Share your pics in the comments!