Adding Bananas To Cake Mix: Amazingly Easy Banana Cake Recipe

Last Updated on March 8, 2023

Loaded with flavor and simple to make, this easy banana cake recipe with cake mix is the perfect choice for dessert lovers. By adding bananas to the cake mix, you can make a simple yet delicious dessert.

Besides providing a delicious flavor, the banana also gives the cake a delectable texture. If you love bananas, this cake is a great choice for you.

This recipe requires no previous baking experience,  saving you time and hassle. It takes only a few simple ingredients to turn out this decadent cake. You’ll find it surprising how good the result will taste.

Jump to Recipe / Print Recipe

What is Banana Cake?

The banana cake uses mashed bananas as one of the main ingredients. The banana gives the cake a dense and moist texture. As well as providing the cake with a wonderful texture, the banana also provides a refreshing taste.

Banana cake supposedly got its start during the depression era, as an additional way for people to make money as well as use overripe bananas. However, variations of banana cake can be found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian fare. It later rose to popularity thanks to how simple it is to make, with many cookbooks publishing recipes for it.

Banana cake is still loved by many today. It is a great solution for any leftover bananas you may have. Besides being a good use for overripe bananas, it is dense, moist, and bursting with flavor.

Many people who love banana cake also love banana bread. In contrast to banana bread, banana cake is typically lighter and fluffier in texture. However, the two do share lots of similarities in flavor; though the banana cake is often topped with cream cheese frosting.

Banana cake can also easily be made into cupcakes as well. Banana cupcakes are a great option for parties and other events. You can top them with cream cheese frosting or with whipped cream frosting.

When making a banana cake, be sure the bananas are finely mashed, as this will help you achieve a smoother cake. This will prevent any lumps from happening in the cake and will create an even bake too.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients

To make this easy banana cake with cake mix recipe, you will need:

• 1 box yellow cake mix. Try this sugar-free cake mix.
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1/4 cup of oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 cups cream cheese frosting
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Equipment

To prepare this recipe, you will need a:

• Large bowl
• Electric mixer
• 13 x 9-inch pan
• Spatula
• Cooking Spray or Shortening
• Sprinkling of flour

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next grease the pan with cooking spray or shortening and then sprinkle with flour until fully covered. Pour out the excess flour and set the pan aside.

Step Two: Beat the Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, and mashed bananas with an electric mixer until combined. Frequently stop to scrape the sides of the bowl. Beat the mix on medium speed for two minutes.

Step Three: Bake the Cake

Pour the cake mix into the pan using a spatula. Make sure that the cake mix is evenly spread. Bake the cake for 35 minutes.

Step Four: Decorate the Cake

Allow the cake to cool completely. Carefully remove from pan and cover with cream cheese frosting. Top with chopped walnuts if desired.

Slice the cake into 16 pieces and keep the frosted cake chilled. Cakes that are frosted with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated to keep them safe for eating.

Packed with flavor and texture, this banana cake will not disappoint. Best of all, enjoy it with cream cheese frosting and walnuts. Banana lovers will rejoice when they try a slice of this cake.

Using cake mix provides for an easy and tasty cake. Yellowcake mix is the best option to create a traditional banana cake. Ideally, you will want to use a yellow cake mix that contains a pudding mix within it.

Tips and Tricks

When making this banana cake recipe with cake mix, it is best to use ripe bananas that have developed some brown spots. The more brown spots on the banana the sweeter it is, making it ideal for baking. This will allow for a better texture in the cake and give it a richer flavor.

Be sure to avoid bright yellow bananas with any green, as they may make the cake tough and not sweet enough. Banana cake is a great way to use up your leftover bananas that may be starting to get too mushy to eat on their own.

When mashing bananas, there are several ways you can go about it. For example, try using a potato masher or even place the bananas in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to mash them. You can even use your mixer to mash them up too.

Cream cheese icing is the most common topping for banana cake. However, you may use buttercream or whipped cream frosting as well. Decorating with walnuts is a great way to cover up any imperfections in your cake.

In addition to frosting, some people add other toppings besides walnuts. For instance, try adding a sprinkling of cinnamon or drizzling your favorite chocolate sauce on top. You can even add maple syrup, caramel sauce, or fresh fruit.

If you use cream cheese frosting to decorate your cake, you should store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container when not serving it. It can be stored in the fridge for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months. Allow any frozen cakes to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Banana Cake Cupcakes – Another Tasty Option!

You can also easily turn this recipe into banana cupcakes. To do so, line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. This recipe will make approximately 24 cupcakes.

For the banana cupcakes you will need the same ingredients as above for the banana cake with cake mix:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1/4 cup of oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 cups cream cheese frosting
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Prepare the cupcakes according to the banana cake recipe above. To do so…

1. Beat the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, and mashed bananas in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl periodically and then beat the mix on medium speed for another two minutes.
2. Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners so they are two-thirds full, being careful not to overfill them. Bake the cupcakes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
3. Allow your banana cupcakes to cool in the pan for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to allow them to fully cool. Once fully cool, decorate with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans that have been finely chopped. Alternatively, you can use whipped cream frosting or buttercream frosting instead.

If decorating your cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days. You can also freeze your cupcakes as well for up to three months.

Place cupcakes in a gallon Ziploc bag or airtight container on a flat surface in the freezer. You can also wrap each cupcake in plastic wrap for added protection from freezer burn, but it is not necessary. When ready to eat your cupcakes, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes or in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Can You Use Other Types of Cake Mix Besides Yellow Cake Mix?

While yellow cake mix can make a great base for banana cake, you can also use other cake mix flavors as well. Other great options include white cake, spice cake, vanilla cake, and carrot cake. Other great options to try include butter pecan, pineapple, or even pumpkin.

If you decide to use a different flavor of cake mix, follow the recipe as you would with yellow cake mix. You do not need to make any changes or substitutions to this recipe if you go with a different flavor of cake mix from yellow. Just be sure to use a standard-size cake mix (15.25 ounces).

What Happens If You Put Too Much Banana in Banana Cake?

While adding banana to your cake can make it delicious and provide a great texture, too much will have adverse effects on your cake. It can make your cake dense and heavy, which is not a desirable consistency for your cake.

Adding too much banana will add too much moisture to your cake. It may become damp or undercooked in the center, creating an unappealing baked good.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to your cake if it comes out heavy and dense from too much banana. You can use it for a topping on ice cream or even for cake pops if the cake is too dense.

For best results, carefully measure out all of your ingredients. For most of your ingredients, you can weigh them on a kitchen scale to get the most accurate measurement.

The Perfect Easy Banana Cake

Your friends and family are sure to love this classic banana dessert. This easy banana cake recipe with cake mix is sure to become one of your favorite recipes to make. It’s great for any occasion or even for just fulfilling your sweet tooth craving.

If you are a banana lover, this cake is a must-try. It is the perfect balance of banana flavor. If you tried this easy banana cake, please share your experience making it.

Please comment if you enjoyed this article or have any remarks regarding this recipe!