Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 00 mins
Servings: 10–12 slices
Ingredients
For the Banana Cake:
1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds (visible in cake layers)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting & Garnish:
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh banana slices (for garnish on top)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.
3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine Batter: Alternate adding the flour mixture and mashed bananas to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
5. Bake: Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until creamy and fluffy.
7. Assemble & Serve: Place one cooled cake layer on a plate, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over it, and place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides, then finish with fresh banana slices before serving.
Chef’s Pro Tips
Prevent Banana Browning: Toss the decorative top banana slices in a splash of fresh lemon juice to prevent them from browning before serving.
Cool Completely: Ensure both cake layers are completely cold before applying cream cheese frosting to prevent it from melting off.