Banana Cake with Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

Can we say yummy? This cake was a surprise to me yesterday since I was craving dessert and I didn't have much in the house for anything really spectacular. Well, the way this Banana Cake turned out, it was nothing short of spectacular! You would never know this was NOT a scratch cake. This cake was ooozing of goodness with the bananas, butter, eggs, and it was so moist. Pair that up with a homemade banana cream cheese frosting and this is definitely a winner. I had to raid The Cooking Dad's stash of cake mixes to make this because there was nothing really in the house since I am low on staples (thank god it is almost payday and I can go shopping) so I decided what the heck, we will see how it turns out. We always have cake mixes in the house so that when The Cooking Dad wants some dessert, it is fast and easy for him to make. He likes to feel accomplished in the kitchen too and I like him in the kitchen cooking and baking because that way I do not have to feel like it is always my job because he can do pretty well too and he does quite often.

Anyway, on to the recipe! Just a note: I forgot to put in the baking soda as I was going and the layers were kind of flat but that did not compromise on the flavor and the cake was still moist and wonderful, just not as high as it could have been and since I came out with 3 layers, I am glad that I forgot or else we would have had a mile high cake that probably would have been difficult to frost. But it would have probably been better on the eyes if it was higher. This cake is not the most beautiful cake, but it sure tasted good! Just what the doctor ordered for my dessert craving yesterday!

Banana Cake with Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:
1 box Pillsbury Yellow Butter cake mix
3 ripe bananas, smashed
1 tsp baking soda

Mix cake to box directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Smash the bananas. I actually had my 4 yr old helper smash my bananas for me as she likes to help and this is right up her alley.

Add the bananas and baking soda to the cake mix. Mix well. (just remember if you want high layers, do not forget like I did)

Put pans in the oven for 30 minutes, check doneness by inserting a toothpick into center of layers; if it comes out clean, it is done. Let cool on racks for 10 minutes. Invert onto racks and let cool completely before frosting. (note what layers will look like when you forget the baking soda, just also note that it still tastes good though, even though they are a tad flat)


Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz package cream cheese
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 Tbsp banana flavoring (I used an espresso syrup for the banana flavoring since I used to drink tons of espresso and now I just use it when I need great flavor for something)
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar

(here is the banana syrup I used, you can get it at any cash and carry or where espresso supplies are sold, I get my bottles at Cash and Carry in Olympia because they are just a couple dollars a bottle, lots cheaper than the grocery stores)

Cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add the banana syrup and mix well until creamy. Add 2 cups powdered sugar and mix well. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar mixing until desired spreading consistency. Will frost this banana cake with leftover frosting. Refrigerate leftover frosting for use with cookies or cupcakes, or something else.

If you wanted to you could add a couple drops of yellow food coloring to tint the frosting yellow, for a more spring like cake. But I chose not to do that at this time.
Here are a couple of yummy looking pictures of the finished product! Enjoy! Do try this cake at home, it is so yummy and simple!

Here is the finished cake, before digging in...

mmmmmmmm look at that frosting...

Wanna bite?? Go make your own! This one is mine! Have a great day!