Pioneer Woman Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Introduction

This Pioneer Woman Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for banana lovers. With a rich, creamy frosting and tender cake, it’s great for celebrations or a cozy treat at home.

A slice of two-layer cake rests on a white plate above a white marbled surface. The bottom and top layers are light brown with a moist, slightly crumbly texture with visible tiny bits suggesting nuts or spices. Between the cake layers is a thick, smooth layer of white cream filling that looks dense and rich. The top of the cake is covered with a thick, creamy white frosting that is textured with soft, wavy lines running across it. Part of a silver fork is visible on the edge of the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 medium bananas, mashed
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans to ensure the cake releases easily.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
  3. Step 3: Add the sour cream and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Fold the mashed bananas into the batter carefully. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans before removing.
  7. Step 7: To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add vanilla extract, then gradually add powdered sugar until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
  8. Step 8: Once the cakes are fully cooled, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake evenly. Slice and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

  • Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter; this helps keep the cake tender.
  • Always frost the cake once it is completely cool to prevent frosting from melting.
  • For extra texture, try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
  • To make smaller cupcakes, reduce baking time to about 18–22 minutes.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly for up to 2 months; thaw completely before frosting.

How to Serve

A slice of four-layer cake sits on a white plate, with each layer showing a light brown, nut-speckled texture separated by smooth, creamy white frosting. The top and sides of the cake slice are also coated with the same creamy frosting and sprinkled with small chopped nuts. A fork rests beside the slice on the plate. In the background, the remaining cake is visible on a wooden stand, and a stack of white plates sits next to the scene, all on a white marbled surface with a red patterned cloth partially under the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this cake?

Yes, frozen bananas work great. Just thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing to avoid thinning the batter.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

Reduce the powdered sugar by about ½ cup and taste as you go. You can also add a small pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

Print

Pioneer Woman Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring ripe bananas and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for banana lovers, this cake combines classic baking techniques and rich ingredients, resulting in a tender crumb and a balanced sweetness that makes it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Banana Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 medium bananas, mashed

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans to ensure the cake layers do not stick.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
  4. Make the batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  5. Add bananas: Fold the mashed bananas into the batter carefully, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overworking the mixture.
  6. Bake the cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cakes: Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool fully before frosting.
  8. Prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a clean bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, then gradually add the powdered sugar, beating continuously until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.
  9. Assemble the cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, spread a generous amount of frosting on top of one layer. Place the second layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly.
  10. Serve: Slice and enjoy your moist Pioneer Woman Banana Cake topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
  • Always cool the cake completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
  • Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for the smoothest frosting texture.

Keywords: banana cake, cream cheese frosting, Pioneer Woman recipe, banana dessert, moist banana cake, classic cake recipe

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