# **π Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Delicious Classic**
## **π Introduction**
Banana Bread Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines the comfort of banana bread with the richness of cake, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This recipe is perfect for using overripe bananas and makes a delightful treat for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
With its origins tracing back to the Great Depression (when resourceful home cooks used overripe bananas to avoid waste), banana bread has evolved into a beloved classic. Adding sour cream ensures extra moisture, while cream cheese frosting elevates it to a decadent dessert.
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## **π Ingredients**
### **π Banana Cake:**
– Β½ cup (1 stick) **butter**, softened
– 1Β½ cups **granulated sugar**
– 2 large **eggs**
– 1 cup **sour cream** (full-fat recommended)
– 1 teaspoon **vanilla extract**
– 2 cups **all-purpose flour**
– 1 teaspoon **baking soda**
– ΒΌ teaspoon **salt**
– 3 medium **ripe bananas**, mashed (about 1Β½ cups)
### **π§ Cream Cheese Frosting:**
– 8 oz (1 block) **cream cheese**, softened
– Β½ cup (1 stick) **butter**, softened
– 3Β½ cups **powdered sugar**
– 1 teaspoon **vanilla extract**
– 1-2 tablespoons **milk** (if needed for consistency)
### **Optional Add-ins:**
– Β½ cup **chopped walnuts or pecans**
– Β½ cup **chocolate chips**
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## **π©βπ³ Instructions**
### **1οΈβ£ Making the Banana Cake:**
1. **Preheat oven** to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. **Cream butter & sugar** β In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 mins).
3. **Add eggs** β Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream and vanilla.
4. **Dry ingredients** β In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients.
5. **Fold in bananas** β Gently stir in mashed bananas (and optional nuts/chocolate chips).
6. **Bake** β Pour batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
### **2οΈβ£ Cream Cheese Frosting:**
1. **Beat cream cheese & butter** until smooth.
2. **Add powdered sugar** gradually, mixing well.
3. **Mix in vanilla** and adjust consistency with milk if needed.
4. **Frost the cake** once cooled, then slice and serve!
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## **π History & Popularity**
Banana bread became popular in the 1930s when baking soda and baking powder were widely available. Home cooks used overripe bananas to prevent waste, leading to this beloved quick bread. Today, itβs a global favorite, often enjoyed as a cake with frosting for extra indulgence.
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## **β
Benefits of Banana Bread Cake**
β **Uses ripe bananas** (reduces food waste)
β **Rich in potassium** (from bananas)
β **Great for energy** (natural sugars + carbs)
β **Customizable** (add nuts, chocolate, or spices)
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## **π½οΈ Serving & Storage**
– **Serve:** Room temperature or slightly warmed.
– **Store:** Covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
– **Freeze:** Unfrosted cake can be frozen for up to 3 months.
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## **π Why Banana Bread Lovers Adore This Recipe**
– **Super moist** (thanks to sour cream & bananas)
– **Perfectly sweet** (balanced by cream cheese frosting)
– **Easy to make** (no fancy techniques needed)
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## **π₯ Nutrition (Per Serving, Approx.)**
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|———-|———-|
| Carbs | 58g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fiber | 1g |
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## **π Conclusion**
This **Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting** is a crowd-pleaserβmoist, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this recipe is a guaranteed hit!
**π©βπ³ Happy Baking!** ππ