I love, love, love banana desserts, and this banana cake with cake mix is no exception! Made with mashed bananas right in the batter, this cake is moist, fruity, and best of all, easy to make. My homemade cream cheese frosting takes this doctored-up boxed cake mix to the next level. No one will believe it’s not totally homemade!
Banana bread is one of my all-time favorite breakfasts, and this banana cake with cake mix is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite desserts. Moist bananas, tangy buttermilk, and a sweet-and-tangy cream cheese frosting make this easy dessert sweet, but not too sweet! This is my new favorite recipe for using up overripe bananas.
What’s in This Banana Cake Recipe?
- Vanilla Cake Mix: Makes this cake super easy to throw together! You can also use a white cake mix, spice cake mix, or banana cake mix if you prefer.
- Oil: Moistens the cake. I like vegetable oil for its neutral taste, but avocado, canola, or melted coconut oil will also work.
- Eggs: Gives the cake structure.
- Bananas: Mashed bananas add flavor and a beautifully moist texture. Look for over-ripe bananas with black or dark brown peels. If you’d like to use frozen bananas, make sure to thaw them and drain off any excess liquid before using.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess to the cake.
- Cream Cheese: This is the base of the frosting.
- Butter: Unsalted butter combines with the cream cheese to form a rich, buttery cake frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Plays perfectly with the tangy cream cheese.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting without making it gritty.
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How to Store
Store leftover banana cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying cold or at room temperature.
Tips for Success
- If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, poke them all over with a fork, place them on a plate, and microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until soft.
- Banana cake may turn out gummy if it is underbaked or if the batter is too wet. You want the batter to be thick but pourable, just like any normal cake batter. If your batter is too runny, you may need to add extra flour to thicken it up.
- Be sure to bake the cake until it passes the toothpick test to avoid an underbaked cake, which could collapse and turn gummy in the middle.
- If you notice black specks in your banana cake, there’s no need to be alarmed! They are banana seeds and are perfectly safe to eat!
- This cake can also be baked in two 9-inch round cake pans for 25-30 minutes, or as cupcakes for about 15 minutes.
Banana Cake with Cake Mix Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix (1 box)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup mashed bananas (from about 3-4 whole bananas)
- ⅓ cup buttermilk room temperature
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional, but recommended
For the Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted (½ stick)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
Optional Toppings
- Chopped walnuts
- Banana slices
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Add the oil, eggs, mashed bananas, and buttermilk to a bowl and whisk to combine.2 large eggs, 1 cup mashed bananas, ⅓ cup buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil
- Stir in the cake mix and cinnamon until well combined.15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt together.8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- Beat in the powdered sugar, little by little, until incorporated.2½ cups powdered sugar
- Spread the frosting over the cake.
- Top with chopped walnuts and banana slices if desired.Chopped walnuts, Banana slices
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.
How to Make Banana Cake Step-by-Step
Whisk the Wet: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside. Add ½ cup of vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 cup of mashed bananas, and ⅓ cup of buttermilk to a bowl and whisk to combine.
Stir in the Dry: Stir in 15.25 ounces (1 box) of cake mix and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon until well combined.
Bake the Cake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Beat the Frosting: To make the frosting, using a hand mixer, beat 8 ounces (1 brick) of cream cheese, ¼ cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt together. Beat in 2½ cups of powdered sugar, little by little, until incorporated.
Frost the Cake: Spread the frosting over the cake.
Top and Serve: Top with chopped walnuts and banana slices if desired.
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