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Moist Banana Cake Buttercream

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

This fluffy banana treat uses ripe bananas and applesauce for softness, with buttercream frosting on top. Add optional walnuts for crunch in this easy dessert.

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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 10:58:30 GMT
A thick slice of banana cake slathered in creamy frosting, paired with banana slices and set on a teal dish, with bananas blurred in the background. Pin it
A thick slice of banana cake slathered in creamy frosting, paired with banana slices and set on a teal dish, with bananas blurred in the background. | cuisinegenial.com

Got brown bananas? Whip up this fantastic Banana Cake for a yummy treat. It's super moist, packed with spices, stuffed with walnuts and topped with smooth buttercream. Perfect for birthdays or just because! Everyone will want the recipe after tasting this homemade delight!

What Makes This Treat Special

You'll fall head over heels for this banana dessert! It's incredibly moist, bursting with flavor, and won't give you any trouble in the kitchen. The warm cinnamon and nutmeg create a cozy depth, and that creamy buttercream makes it truly special. Don't worry if you're not a baking pro - this recipe works like a charm every time. And it's so flexible! You can turn the batter into muffins or spread it in a sheet pan for bigger parties.

What You'll Need

  • All-Purpose Flour: Gives your cake that soft, perfect texture.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These make your cake nice and fluffy.
  • Salt: Brings out all the tasty notes in your cake.
  • Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Add cozy spice that complements the bananas.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brings just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Oil: The secret to keeping everything super moist.
  • Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds extra softness without anyone knowing it's there.
  • Eggs: Hold everything together for the perfect bake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Makes both cake and frosting taste better.
  • Overripe Bananas: The main attraction, mashed up for big flavor.
  • Butter, Powdered Sugar, and Heavy Cream: Come together for your dreamy buttercream topping.
  • Chopped Walnuts: Add these if you want some crunch on top.

Baking Instructions

Get Your Oven Ready
Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) and get an 8x8-inch cake pan ready with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Stuff
In a big bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Put it aside for now.
Mix Wet Stuff
In another bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and applesauce. Then add eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas, stirring just enough to mix them.
Finish and Bake
Gently add the dry mix to the wet mix, stirring just until combined. Pour everything into your pan and bake for 25–30 minutes. Check if it's done by poking the middle with a toothpick. Let it cool completely before adding frosting.

Whipping Up the Buttercream

Start With Butter
Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Want extra flavor? Keep cooking until it turns golden and smells nutty. Let it cool down completely.
Create Your Frosting
Beat the cooled butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until it's smooth and fluffy. Too thick? Add more cream. Too thin? Add more sugar.
A slice of banana cake topped with banana slices and creamy frosting sits on a plate, with additional bananas blurred in the background. Pin it
A slice of banana cake topped with banana slices and creamy frosting sits on a plate, with additional bananas blurred in the background. | cuisinegenial.com

Finishing Touches

Once your cake has cooled down, spread that yummy buttercream all over the top. Throw on some chopped walnuts for extra crunch and flavor. Cut into squares and enjoy! This cake looks as good as it tastes and will definitely impress everyone at your table.

Keeping It Fresh

Got leftovers? Keep them in a sealed container at room temp for up to 3 days. Want to save it longer? Wrap single slices in plastic and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you're planning ahead, you can bake the cake early, wrap it up tight, and stick it in the fridge. Just add the frosting right before you serve it to keep everything tasting fresh and amazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ When are bananas ready to use?

Choose bananas with brown speckles; they’re at their sweetest! These will mash effortlessly and make the cake moist and flavorful.

→ Is applesauce a must-have?

Applesauce keeps the cake soft while cutting down on oil. Substitute with an equal oil amount if needed, but it might affect the texture a bit.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days max. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week.

→ Can I make this cake early?

Sure thing! Bake it in advance and refrigerate without frosting. Add the buttercream the day you plan to serve for the freshest taste.

→ Why mix dry and wet mixes apart?

Pre-mixing dry things helps ingredients combine evenly. Gradually adding them to wet ones keeps the batter from becoming overmixed and tough.

Banana Cake Buttercream

This fluffy cake is brimming with mashed bananas and applesauce. Finished with sugary buttercream and crispy walnut bits—perfect for any gathering.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 9 Servings (1 8x8 pan of cake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/4 cup neutral oil like vegetable or avocado.
02 1 cup granulated sugar.
03 1 cup powdered sugar.
04 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
05 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
06 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
07 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
08 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
09 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.
10 1/4 cup softened butter.
11 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (plain).
12 1 tablespoon heavy cream.
13 2 large bananas, mashed up.
14 2 eggs.
15 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional.
16 1 1/2 cups flour.
17 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 325° F. Coat an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray and leave it ready for later.

Step 02

In a big mixing bowl, toss together the flour, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give it all a quick mix and leave it there.

Step 03

In another bowl, take your mixer, and blend the sugar, oil, and applesauce. Add in eggs one at a time, along with mashed bananas and vanilla. Mix it lightly until it just comes together.

Step 04

Add the dry bowl into the wet mixture a little at a time. Stir gently until blended. Pour into your greased pan and bake it for 25–30 minutes. A clean toothpick means it’s done. Let it cool fully.

Step 05

Melt butter on low heat in a small pot. Once melted, take it off right away and move it to another container. Let it cool at room temperature.

Step 06

In a small mixing bowl, whip the melted and cooled butter together with powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until it’s smooth and creamy.

Step 07

Spread the frosting across the completely cooled cake and, if you want, sprinkle some walnuts on top. Cut into squares and dig in!

Notes

  1. Keep it in a sealed container until you're ready.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8x8 baking pan.
  • Mixer (hand or stand).
  • Small pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.
  • Tree nuts (walnuts - optional).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 388
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 59 g
  • Protein: 4 g