If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s soft, creamy, and perfect for any occasion, this Banana Cream Cake How To Make Banana Cream Cake tutorial is for you. With moist banana-flavored cake layers, luscious banana cream filling, and dreamy whipped frosting, this cake is a true crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a summer party, or just because, this cake is a standout among birthday cake recipes. It combines everything you love about banana pudding and transforms it into a stunning layered cake.
If you’ve been searching for cake with banana filling, wondering how to create an easy banana filling for cake, or exploring creative banana cake ideas, this recipe has you covered — step by step. It also includes tips for elegant banana cake decoration and making the best banana cake for parties.
Let’s get baking!
Table of Contents
Why Banana Cream Cake is One of the Best Birthday Cake Recipes Around
Banana cake has a way of feeling both nostalgic and indulgent — and when you pair it with a silky banana cream filling, it becomes irresistible. This cake is light yet rich, making it perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or family dinners.
Unlike heavy chocolate or dense fruitcakes, this banana cream cake feels fresh and festive, thanks to its creamy layers and banana-forward flavor. It also doubles as a memorable banana birthday cake, great for kids and adults alike.
Who Will Love This Cake: Banana Birthday Cake Fans & Party Hosts
This cake is for anyone who loves:
- Fresh, fruity flavors
- Cakes that feel elegant yet approachable
- Versatile recipes that work as both banana birthday cake and casual weekend treat
- Impressing guests with a stunning dessert without it being overly complicated
If you’ve ever enjoyed banana pudding or cream pie, you’ll fall in love with this banana cream cake.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Banana Cream Cake How To Make Banana Cream Cake
Here’s what you’ll need for the layers, filling, and frosting.
For the Banana Cake Layers:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Banana Cream Filling:
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant banana cream pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups cold milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
For the Whipped Frosting:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sliced bananas and crushed vanilla wafers (optional, for decoration)
Essential Kitchen Equipment for Cake With Banana Filling & Decoration
Gather these tools before you start:
- 3 8-inch round cake pans
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk & spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cake turntable (optional, but helpful)
- Offset spatula for frosting
- Piping bag (optional, for decoration)
Step-by-Step: How To Make Banana Cream Cake Like A Pro
1. Make the Banana Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each, then add vanilla. Mix in mashed bananas. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with dry.
Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 22–26 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before assembling.
2. Prepare the Banana Cream Filling
In a bowl, whisk banana pudding mix with milk until thickened. In another bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks. Fold whipped cream into pudding. Chill until ready to use.
3. Make the Whipped Frosting
Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to stiff peaks. Keep chilled.
4. Assemble the Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half the banana cream filling over the layer. Add second cake layer, then spread remaining filling. Top with final cake layer. Frost sides and top of cake with whipped frosting.
5. Decorate
Garnish with banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers for a simple yet beautiful banana cake decoration.
Now you’ve mastered how to make banana cream cake that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious!
Tips for Easy Banana Filling For Cake & Banana Cake Decoration
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor and sweetness.
- Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream to make it more stable.
- Don’t overbeat the whipped cream — stop at stiff peaks.
- Decorate just before serving to prevent bananas from browning.
- Add edible flowers or piped whipped cream swirls for extra flair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Banana Cake Ideas Come to Life
- Overmixing the batter: This can make your cake tough.
- Not cooling cakes completely: Warm cakes can cause filling and frosting to melt.
- Skipping parchment rounds in pans: This ensures cakes release cleanly.
- Using under-ripe bananas: The flavor won’t shine through.
Serving and Presentation Tips: Best Banana Cake For Parties
For parties, display the cake on a pretty stand and slice just before serving. Keep extra slices chilled until ready to eat, since whipped cream frosting is delicate.
Serve with coffee, tea, or a light sparkling water to complement the creamy sweetness.
Recipe Variations: Creative Banana Cake Ideas & Birthday Cake Recipes
- Add a layer of caramel sauce between cake layers for a bananas foster vibe.
- Sprinkle toasted coconut on top for a tropical twist.
- Use chocolate whipped cream for a chocolate-banana combination.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the cake batter for a playful variation.
- Decorate with gold sprinkles for a more formal banana birthday cake.
These creative spins turn one classic recipe into endless banana cake ideas.
How to Store Leftovers and Make Ahead Tips for Banana Cream Cake
Store leftover cake in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for up to 3 days.
You can bake and freeze cake layers up to a month in advance; just thaw before assembling. Filling and frosting are best made fresh.
Why You’ll Keep Making This Banana Cream Cake Again and Again
This cake is a perfect balance of moist, flavorful cake, creamy filling, and airy frosting. It’s not overly sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser at any event. Whether you’re making it for a birthday or just treating yourself, it’s one of those birthday cake recipes you’ll return to again and again.
FAQ: Your Questions About Banana Cream Cake How To Make Banana Cream Cake Answered
Can I make this as a sheet cake?
Yes — bake in a 9×13 pan and adjust baking time to about 35–40 minutes. Frost and decorate as usual.
Can I use store-bought pudding?
Absolutely — but the homemade banana cream filling has a fresher flavor.
Can I use frozen bananas?
Thawed frozen bananas work well for the cake layers.
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Banana Cream Cake : How To Make Banana Cream Cake That’s Perfect For Any Celebration
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This Banana Cream Cake is a show-stopping dessert perfect for birthdays, parties, or any celebration. Featuring moist banana-flavored cake layers, silky banana cream filling, and fluffy whipped frosting, it’s a dreamy treat that combines the nostalgia of banana pudding with an elegant layered presentation.
Ingredients
**Banana Cake Layers** 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas) 1 cup buttermilk **Banana Cream Filling** 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant banana cream pudding mix 1 ½ cups cold milk 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons powdered sugar **Whipped Frosting** 2 cups heavy cream ½ cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract **Optional Decoration** Sliced bananas Crushed vanilla wafers
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans. 2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla and mashed bananas. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with dry. 3. Divide batter among pans and bake 22–26 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. 4. For filling: whisk pudding mix with milk until thickened. Whip cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks, then fold into pudding. Chill. 5. For frosting: whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks. Keep chilled. 6. Assemble: place one cake layer on a plate. Spread half the filling, add second layer, spread remaining filling, then top with final layer. Frost sides and top with whipped frosting. Decorate with banana slices and crushed vanilla wafers.
Notes
• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor. • Chill whipped cream before use for stability. • Decorate just before serving to prevent bananas from browning. • Bake cake layers a day ahead and assemble fresh for convenience.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
