Friendship Banana Bread Snack Cake
A classic Banana Bread Snack Cake for when you want to share with friends. This recipe makes two cake rounds so you can make one for home and one to share. Enjoy it with or without cream cheese frosting!
Looking for recipes to use up ripe bananas? Try my Coffee Shop Banana Streusel Muffins or these Biscoff Banana Streusel Muffins made with creamy Biscoff (speculoos) spread.
Friendship Banana Bread Snack Cake
This is the banana bread recipe I turn to when I want to make some to share with friends. I like that at the end of the day I have a cake to share with my company as well as one to serve to my family.
This Banana Bread Snack Cake recipe is good to take to a friend who has just had a baby or to share with a small group of friends for brunch. You can frost it or enjoy it plain. Cover with pecans or keep it simple.
The Best Bananas for Banana Bread Snack Cake
The best bananas for baking banana bread snack cake are the imperfect bananas. They are more brown than yellow. They are spotted and streaked.
You probably wouldn’t want to reach for these bananas to slice and eat on top of your cereal. Picky kids certainly wouldn’t want them in their lunch bag. I prefer the fourth or fifth in this visual banana lineup.
If you do not have over-ripe bananas you can add about 2-3 Tablespoons of sugar and an extra pinch of salt to make up for the lack of flavor that the perfect banana brings to the table.
Make Ahead Instructions
After you bake the cakes you can cover and wrap them tightly. Store unfrosted in the refrigerator for 2 days or freeze for 2 months.
When ready to serve defrost the cakes to room temperature and frost if desired. This cake is delicious served cold or room temperature also!
Buttermilk Substitute
I never seem to have buttermilk when I need it. Thankfully you can prepare soured milk easily at home:
- In a 2 cup liquid measuring cup add 1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice.
- Then add whole milk to the same measuring cup until the line reaches 1 1/2 cups.
- Stir lightly and let sit for 5 minutes until slightly curdled. Then it’s ready to use!
- You can use 2% milk but it will not be as thick and creamy.
Friendship Banana Bread Snack Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 bananas, ripe
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
For the frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup pecans, optional
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease 2 round 9 inch cake pans. Set aside.
- Mash the bananas with a fork. If you prefer less lumps you can use your mixer for this step.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down needed.
- Add the eggs and the vanilla. Beat until combined, then mix in the mashed bananas. Slowly add the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk. Do not overmix.
- Divide batter evenly between 2 round cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.
For the frosting:
- In a bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until creamy for 2 minutes. For thicker frosting add extra 1/4 - 1/2 cup more powdered sugar. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Decorate with pecans, optional.
Notes
- Store leftover cake in the refrigerator for 5 days.
- You can make this Banana Snack Cake in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Nutrition
Looking for More?
A tropical twist on the classic banana bread recipe you might enjoy Cabana Banana Bread Muffins made with pineapple and coconut.
