Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

When I was a kid, one of my favorite treats was a banana cake with cream cheese frosting that my mom used to buy. They're one of the defining tastes of my childhood, and the other day I decided I'd try to replicate them in my kitchen.

The results, gleaned from several recipes tracked down online, tasted just like I remember! The recipe is easy and everyone seems to like them, and like banana bread it's a great way to use up slightly overripe (but still perfectly good) bananas that the kids won't eat. This cake is perfect for a tea party, playdate or birthday party.

This recipe makes 8 to 12 servings, depending on how large you cut the pieces.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup canola or other oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

for the cream cheese frosting

• One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• A pinch of salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

With your electric mixer on medium, beat together the sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs and continue to beat until combined, then add bananas and vanilla. After everything's combined, reduce mixer speed to low and add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk (1/2 cup at a time), until all is combined.

Give the batter one last mix to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated, then pour it into your prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack while you make the frosting.

To make the frosting, cream the butter, cream cheese, and salt with your electric mixer on medium speed. Reduce speed to low and add the powdered sugar bit by bit until it's all combined. Add vanilla, then increase speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Spread frosting over cooled cake, cut into squares, and serve.