Description
This Banana Snack Cake is a simple, no-fuss dessert that’s incredibly moist, tender, and bursting with natural banana sweetness and warm cinnamon. Paired with a creamy, slightly salty Peanut Butter Honey Frosting, this easy 8×8-inch cake is the perfect wholesome treat for an after-school snack, casual brunch, or anytime dessert.
Ingredients
Banana Cake
- 1 cup (230g) mashed brown bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon (3g) baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons (36g) sour cream, room temperature
Peanut Butter Honey Frosting
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons (48g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon (21g) honey
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1/2–1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream or milk, for consistency (if needed)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch pan with oil, then line it with parchment paper, allowing the paper to extend up the sides to create handles.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, thoroughly mash the bananas. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the room-temperature butter and brown sugar until the mixture is visibly light and fluffy.
Step 4: Mix in Remaining Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream, adding them one at a time and ensuring each ingredient is incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the mashed bananas.
Step 5: Add Dry Mix and Bake
Finally, mix in the dry ingredients just until all traces of flour streaks disappear. Do not over-mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Step 6: Prepare Peanut Butter Honey Frosting
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, honey, and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth.
Step 7: Adjust and Frost
If the frosting is too thick, gradually add the heavy whipping cream or milk (starting with 1/2 tablespoon) until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Spread the finished frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover frosted cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Customize Flavor: For extra crunch and richness, stir in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips into the cake batter just before baking.
Quick Ripening Tip: If your bananas are not ripe enough, you can bake them in their peel at 300°F for about 15–20 minutes until the skin is black. Let them cool completely before mashing and using in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/9 of recipe
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 147mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 54mg
Keywords: banana snack cake, peanut butter frosting, easy cake recipe, 8x8 cake, moist banana bread, brown sugar cake, no fuss dessert