The aroma of ripe bananas, butter, and spices fills your kitchen as this Banana Bundt Cake bakes to golden perfection. It’s a recipe that turns simple ingredients into a heartwarming dessert that’s ideal for gatherings or as a sweet weekend reward.
Finished with a silky cream cheese glaze, this cake is not only visually stunning but irresistibly delicious. Each bite offers the perfect combination of banana flavor, tender crumb, and creamy topping — making it a must-have for any banana dessert lover. Whether paired with a cup of coffee or served at a celebration, it always steals the show.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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1½ teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs
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1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 cup sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2–3 tablespoons milk
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.
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In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
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Mix in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
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Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
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Pour the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
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Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely.
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For the glaze, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix in milk a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
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Drizzle glaze over the cooled cake before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 65 minutes | Total Time: 85 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 12 servings
Introduction to the Banana Bundt Cake
Banana Bundt Cake is a classic dessert that beautifully transforms overripe bananas into a moist, rich, and flavorful treat. It’s the kind of cake that draws people in with its nostalgic aroma, soft crumb, and striking presentation. Unlike simple banana bread, which is often baked in a loaf pan and enjoyed for breakfast or a quick snack, the Bundt version elevates this beloved flavor into an elegant dessert, perfect for gatherings, celebrations, and even formal events. With its beautifully sculpted shape and the creamy sheen of a cream cheese glaze, it’s as attractive as it is delicious.
The banana Bundt cake appeals to a wide range of palates and ages. It balances the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with warm spices and a luxurious tang from sour cream, creating a flavor profile that’s comforting yet refined. The cake is sturdy enough to slice cleanly, yet soft enough to melt in your mouth—qualities that make it a standout at any dessert table.
The Origin of Bundt Cakes and Their Popularity
Bundt cakes became popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, inspired by traditional European cake molds used in countries like Germany and Austria. The name “Bundt” itself was trademarked in the 1950s by Nordic Ware, who revolutionized home baking with their iconic aluminum pans featuring fluted edges and a central tube. This design allows cakes to bake evenly and quickly while offering an eye-catching final presentation.
The beauty of Bundt cakes lies in their versatility. They can be made with nearly any batter—chocolate, lemon, pumpkin, and of course, banana. Their unique shape offers visual appeal without the need for elaborate decoration. A simple glaze or dusting of powdered sugar is often all that’s needed to enhance their elegance.
Why Banana Bundt Cake Works So Well
Bananas are naturally moist and sweet, which makes them ideal for baking. When bananas ripen, their starches convert into sugars, intensifying their sweetness and deepening their flavor. This transformation also softens the texture, making it easier to incorporate them into cake batter. The result is a moist and tender crumb that doesn’t dry out, even days after baking.
What sets this banana Bundt cake apart is its blend of flavor and texture. The use of sour cream adds richness and tang, balancing the sweetness of the bananas. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg introduce warmth and complexity, making each bite more interesting. Meanwhile, the buttery base and eggs ensure structure and tenderness. The cake’s dense yet soft texture is ideal for holding its shape in a Bundt pan while still remaining delightfully moist.
The Importance of the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the cake itself is undoubtedly the star, the cream cheese glaze brings everything together. Cream cheese frosting is a favorite in many banana-based desserts because of its smooth, creamy consistency and tangy flavor, which contrast perfectly with the sweetness of the banana.
This glaze is made from just a few simple ingredients: cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of milk to reach the desired consistency. It’s drizzled over the cooled cake, settling into the curves and ridges of the Bundt shape for a beautiful, glossy finish. The glaze not only adds flavor and visual appeal, but also helps keep the cake moist and indulgent.
Ideal Occasions for Serving Banana Bundt Cake
Banana Bundt cake is an incredibly versatile dessert. It’s perfect for casual occasions like afternoon tea, family dinners, and school bake sales, but it’s also impressive enough for special celebrations like birthdays, bridal showers, or holiday gatherings. Because of its rich flavor and appealing look, it often garners compliments and becomes the centerpiece of any dessert spread.
It’s also a great make-ahead dessert. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making it even more delicious the next day. It stores well at room temperature or in the fridge, making it convenient for entertaining or meal prepping.
Tips for Making the Perfect Banana Bundt Cake
To get the best results when baking this cake, there are a few key tips to keep in mind:
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Use very ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be. Look for bananas with a deep yellow peel that’s heavily speckled or even mostly brown.
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Don’t overmix: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
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Grease the Bundt pan well: Bundt pans have intricate designs that can cause the cake to stick if not properly greased. Use a baking spray with flour or brush on melted butter and dust lightly with flour.
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Cool before glazing: Allow the cake to cool completely before applying the glaze. If the cake is too warm, the glaze will melt and run off instead of setting beautifully.
How to Customize This Cake
Although the basic recipe is already amazing, you can make a few variations to personalize the cake to your taste:
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Add chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans can be folded into the batter for extra texture and nutty flavor.
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Include chocolate chips: A handful of mini chocolate chips can make the cake extra indulgent.
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Swap the glaze: If you’re not a fan of cream cheese, you can use a simple vanilla or brown butter glaze instead.
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Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free sour cream and cream cheese alternatives to make the recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Healthier Adjustments Without Sacrificing Flavor
If you’re looking to make this cake slightly healthier without sacrificing taste, consider these swaps:
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Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
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Reduce the sugar slightly if your bananas are extremely ripe and sweet.
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Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to increase the protein content.
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Use a smaller amount of glaze or leave it off for a lighter version.
Storage and Shelf Life
Banana Bundt cake keeps very well, thanks to its high moisture content. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to freeze the cake, wrap it tightly (without glaze) and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, let it thaw completely and glaze just before serving for the best texture and appearance.
What Makes This Cake So Loved
There’s a timeless comfort associated with banana-flavored baked goods. It brings back memories of family kitchens, cozy weekends, and homey moments. This banana Bundt cake takes that comfort to the next level, presenting it in a way that’s elegant and refined. The moistness, the aroma, the richness of the cream cheese glaze—these elements come together to create a dessert that satisfies not just your sweet tooth, but your soul.
Banana Bundt cake also offers the satisfaction of using ingredients you likely already have on hand—especially those overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste. It’s a perfect example of how simple, humble ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary.
Conclusion
Banana Bundt Cake is much more than just another banana dessert. It’s a rich, moist, beautifully presented cake that celebrates the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the elegance of a well-designed Bundt pan. With its warm spice notes, creamy glaze, and tender crumb, it provides a multi-layered experience that is both nostalgic and gourmet.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a festive holiday table, or just treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, this cake is sure to deliver joy with every slice. It’s proof that simple ingredients, when treated with care and creativity, can become something truly special. So the next time you have a few overripe bananas sitting on your counter, don’t toss them—turn them into a cake that’s as comforting as it is crowd-pleasing.