Brown Butter Banana Cake

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Brown Butter Banana Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting takes your basic banana cake to a whole new level! Made in a 9 x 13 baking pan, you are going to actually look forward to overripe bananas.

brown butter banana bread with cream cheese frosting on a white plate with a fork.

One taste and you’ll agree that this is the best banana cake you’ve ever had! The secret: adding browned butter instead of plain. Plus, the light and flavorful cinnamon cream cheese frosting makes the cake the perfect coffee time snack to have on hand.

For more delicious and easy cake recipes, don’t miss this Olive Oil Bundt Cake or Italian Sponge Cake recipe. And, for another fun use for ripe bananas, check out these Peanut Butter Banana Blondies!

Table of Contents

Why this Cake is the Best!

This Brown Butter Banana Cake is a great recipe to have on hand whether you are a beginning cook or a seasoned pro! It comes together quick and so easy to make.

This simple to make recipe is hands down the best way to use those overripe bananas, which, if you’re like me, you always seem to have! And, it’s super easy to make in a 9 x 13 baking pan, rather than making a layer cake.

I like to make this cake because it come’s together fast and can be made in one bowl. Plus, since you are browning the butter, no need to wait for it to come to room temperature.

This cake is super flavorful thanks to the browned butter. This simple act of cooking the butter gives the cake a deep and rich flavor that can’t be beat!

Brown Butter Banana Cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate.

The simple cream cheese frosting is a great way to finish of the cake. Made with just a few ingredients, this frosting adds an irresistible flavor.

So, if you have leftover ripe bananas, be sure to give this Brown Butter Banana Cake a try. It’s sure to be a new favorite!

Ingredients and Substitutions

overhead photo of ingredients needed for recipe including sugar and eggs.

All purpose flour
Brown sugar
Baking soda
Sour cream: you can substitute Greek yogurt here
Vanilla extract
Eggs: use large eggs
Ripe bananas: two should yield about a cup of mashed banana
Powdered sugar
Cream cheese: make sure it’s room temperature

How to Make Brown Butter Banana Cake

You can make Brown Butter Banana Cake in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, or you can use two round cake pans if you’d like. Line baking pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

process shots showing how to make recipe including browning the ingredients and spreading into baking pan.

Step 1: brown the butter

To brown the butter, place a stick of butter in a small frying pan or pot over medium heat. Let the butter slowly melt while gently moving the pan. You will know its done when the butter is a light brown color with little flakes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: prepare the batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and cooled butter. Then, use a mixer to mix until well combined. To the bowl, add in the baking soda, flour, and salt. Mix until just combined.

Step 3: bake

Next, spread the batter into a 9 x 13 inch lined baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Place on cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 4: make the frosting

Lastly, once the cake is cooled you can prepare the frosting. In a bowl, use a handheld mixer to combine the cream cheese and butter. Then, add in the powdered sugar, milk, and cinnamon and mix until well combined. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.

slice of brown butter banana cake on a white plate.

Recipe Tips

Be careful not to cook the butter on too high of heat so that it burns rather than browns. Do medium heat until it gets to a golden brown color.
About two large ripe bananas will yield a cup of mashed banana.
You can make this into a layer cake by dividing the batter equally into two round baking pans. Be sure to adjust the cooking time and test for doneness using a toothpick.
Be sure the cake is completely cooled before adding the frosting.
Make sure you are using room temperature cream cheese and butter when making the frosting.
Store leftover Brown Butter Banana Cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to a month.

Brown Butter Banana Cake on a plate with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make brown butter?

To make the brown butter, simply melt the stick of butter in a small frying pan or small pot over medium heat. The butter will start to slowly melt then brown. Gently tilt the pan so that the melted butter moves around. No need to whisk or stir the butter; just tilt the pan until a light golden brown color is achieved.

What does browning butter do?

Using brown butter in a recipe will add a richness and depth of flavor. It’s an easy and quick way to add a slightly nutter and rich flavor to baked goods without a lot of extra work.

How to add flavor to banana cake?

You can add flavor to your banana cake by using a brown butter instead of room temperature, and topping it with this a cream cheese frosting like this Brown Butter Banana Cake recipe.

More Banana Recipes!

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