Moist Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe

Heavenly Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe for Sweet Treats

Baking enthusiasts adore this delectable peanut butter banana cake that blends creamy richness with sweet fruit notes.

Moist and tender, the cake promises a delightful treat for any occasion.

Every slice bursts with classic comfort flavors you’ll savor from the first bite.

The combination of ripe bananas and smooth peanut butter creates a harmonious blend that delights the palate.

Soft crumb and subtle nutty undertones make this dessert irresistibly good.

Whether celebrating a special moment or enjoying an afternoon snack, this cake delivers pure satisfaction.

Dive into this simple yet scrumptious recipe and transform your kitchen into a haven of deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients You’ll Need For Peanut Butter Banana Cake

For Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cake, providing structure and soft texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy consistency.
  • Baking Soda: Adds lift and helps balance the acidity in the recipe.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the cake's flavor profile.
For Moisture and Richness Ingredients:
  • Ripe Bananas: Brings natural sweetness, moisture, and rich banana flavor.
  • Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and adds subtle tanginess to the cake.
  • Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the cake's flavor.
  • Unsalted Butter: Contributes richness and helps create a smooth texture.
  • Peanut Butter: Infuses nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
For Sweetening and Frosting Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a moist cake.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
  • Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds creaminess.
  • Chopped Peanuts: Optional garnish for added crunch and nutty flavor.
  • Chocolate (Optional): Provides optional decorative and flavor enhancement.

Kitchen Tools To Bake Peanut Butter Banana Cake

  • Electric mixer: Crucial for creaming butter, mixing batter, and whipping frosting smoothly.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking dry ingredients and preparing frosting.
  • 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans: Essential for baking the cake.
  • Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly and prevent lumps.
  • Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center for moist crumbs.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Spatula: Helps scrape batter and spread frosting evenly.

Step-By-Step Guide For Peanut Butter Banana Cake

  • Cake Pan Preparation

Grab your favorite baking dish and give it a loving coat of grease and flour. The magical transformation happens in an oven set to a cozy 350 degrees.

  • Ingredient Symphony

Whisking dry ingredients creates a soft, fluffy foundation. Imagine a gentle dance of flour, baking powder, and a hint of cinnamon swirling together in a mixing bowl.

  • Butter Bliss

Cream together peanut butter and traditional butter with sugars until they become a cloud-like mixture. This process creates the cake’s dreamy texture.

  • Banana Magic

Mash ripe bananas and fold them into the creamy base. The bananas bring moisture and natural sweetness that will make taste buds sing with joy.

  • Batter Love

Gently combine dry ingredients and buttermilk into the mixture. Stir with care, allowing each ingredient to blend harmoniously without becoming tough.

  • Baking Moment

Pour the silky batter into your prepared pan. Let the oven work its magic for about 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface that signals perfection.

  • Frosting Fantasy

Whip together peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar until a luxurious cream emerges. The consistency should be smooth and spreadable.

  • Final Flourish

Lovingly spread the frosting across the cooled cake. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts or banana slices for a delightful finishing touch.

Tips To Change Up Peanut Butter Banana Cake

  • Baking Brilliance: Simple tricks to elevate your Peanut Butter Banana Cake game to delicious new heights!
  • Banana Ripeness Matters: Use overripe, dark spotted bananas for maximum natural sweetness and deeper flavor. The darker and softer the bananas, the more intense and rich the cake's taste will be.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake batter a day before baking and refrigerate overnight. This resting period allows ingredients to meld, creating a more complex and developed flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make this cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Add an extra teaspoon of baking powder to ensure proper rising.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use dairy-free butter alternatives. This modification keeps the cake moist and delectable while meeting dietary restrictions.
  • Storage Secrets: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Always bring to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and taste.

How To Serve Peanut Butter Banana Cake Beautifully

  • Sweet Celebration Spread: Serve this cake at birthday parties, creating a delightful dessert that brings smiles to everyone's faces.
  • Weekend Brunch Delight: Slice and pair with fresh coffee or a cold glass of milk for a luxurious weekend morning treat that feels like a special occasion.
  • Kid-Friendly Dessert Station: Set up a fun decorating area where children can add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or extra banana slices to personalize their cake slice.
  • Potluck Showstopper: Bring this cake to family gatherings or community events as a crowd-pleasing dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

How To Keep Peanut Butter Banana Cake Fresh

  • Refrigerator Haven: Keep the frosted cake covered in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool temperatures help maintain the cake's moisture and prevent frosting from melting.
  • Room Temperature Rest: If serving within 2 days, store the unfrosted cake wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. Ensure the cake is completely cool before wrapping to prevent condensation.
  • Freezing Magic: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
  • Frosting Freshness: Separate the cake and frosting when storing long-term. Keep the frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flexible serving options.
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Moist Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe

Moist Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Creamy peanut butter banana cake delivers a delightful fusion of classic flavors. Rich layers of moist cake blend nutty and sweet notes, offering a comforting dessert that satisfies dessert cravings with each indulgent bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (130 g / 4.6 oz) creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
  • ½ cup (130 g / 4.6 oz) creamy peanut butter (for frosting)
  • ¼ cup (60 g / 2 oz) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 cups (240 g / 8.5 oz) powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsps milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans, then preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into a medium bowl, creating a harmonious dry ingredient blend.
  3. Creaming Process: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes ethereally light and voluminous.
  4. Egg Integration: Methodically incorporate eggs one at a time, then blend in vanilla extract until fully harmonized.
  5. Batter Development: Gently fold mashed bananas into the mixture, then alternately introduce dry ingredients and buttermilk with minimal stirring to preserve the cake’s delicate structure.
  6. Baking Ritual: Pour the batter into prepared pan(s), ensuring even distribution, and bake for 30-35 minutes (9×13-inch pan) or 25-30 minutes (round pans) until a toothpick comes out pristine.
  7. Cooling Phase: Allow the cake to cool completely, transforming into an ideal frosting canvas.
  8. Frosting Creation: Blend peanut butter and softened butter until silky smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
  9. Frosting Finesse: Whip the mixture until achieving a light, creamy consistency, adjusting milk to ensure perfect spreadability.
  10. Final Embellishment: Lavishly apply frosting across the cooled cake, optionally adorning with chopped peanuts, fresh banana slices, or a luxurious chocolate drizzle.

Notes

  • Ripeness Matters: Choose overripe bananas with dark brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor, enhancing the cake’s moisture and taste.
  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a tender crumb, stopping mixer when ingredients are just combined to avoid a dense, tough cake texture.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and buttermilk to reach room temperature before mixing, ensuring smoother blending and more consistent cake structure.
  • Moisture Control: If bananas are extremely wet, lightly pat them with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy or affecting its rise.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 392
  • Sugar: 32 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 47 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 34 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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