Banana Cake with Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Course: Dessert | Serves: 18 

Tender banana buttermilk cake is frosted with a fluffy banana cream cheese icing. This cake can be made in a standard 9.13 baking dish or in a jelly roll pan 12.18.1. While the banana cream cheese icing is amazing; it was also lovely topped with some left over ganache, I've included my favorite ganache recipe below in notes as well. Enjoy either way!!! Inspired by Kathleen of Gonna Want Seconds https://www.gonnawantseconds.com/banana-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/  

¾ cup butter, softened

2 ¼ cups sugar

3 eggs

3 bananas

1 Tbsp vanilla

3 cups flour

1 ½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 ½ cups buttermilk

2 tsp lemon juice

Banana Cream Cheese Frosting:

½ cup butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 banana

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350*. Spray oil a 9.13 baking dish, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon sugar and set to one side. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, stir in the eggs, bananas, and vanilla. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Pour dry ingredients over the batter. Top the flour mixture with the buttermilk, and lemon juice. Gently mix over low speed until the mixture comes together and is incorporated being careful to not overmix. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick tester comes out batter free. My favorite test is with an insta-thermometer, cake is done at a minimum temperature of 200*. Make the frosting while the cake bakes.

In a stand mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, banana, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice together until the icing is fluffy, about 5 minutes. 

Notes:

* This cake can also be baked in a rimmed baking sheet 12.18.1 inches. Test for doneness around 25-30 minutes.

*Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream

11.5 oz dark chocolate chips

Heat the cream over medium-high heat until it boils. Turn off the flame and add chocolate. Wait for 5 minutes then stir until smooth and allow to cool to room temperature.