Banana Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting is such a simple yet scrumptious cake that you must make when you have ripened bananas.
Hey all! How are you? We are just recovering from our weekend travels to New Orleans for my oldest daughter’s cheer competition. We went for two nights and had a really good time. We competed in the morning, so we had all day Saturday to sight see a little.
We took the kids to Jackson Square and the French Market. It was a beautiful weekend, so we were able to walk all around. I have to be honest…sometimes it is really nice to just go places with our older kids and leave the two little ones at home. While I missed them a bunch, it was nice to be able to go and not worry about diaper bags, heating bottles, and strollers.
So the girls did a great job! We are always proud of them. They got 4th place, and they competed against some great teams. For our family, it really doesn’t matter if they get 1st place. Personally, the fun that she has makes it all worthwhile. She LOVES LOVES LOVES it!
Next weekend we are headed the opposite direction. We are headed to our final competition of the year in Galveston, Texas. I am super excited about this one because it is at Moody Gardens!!! That is such a fun place to take kids. Sooooo, we are going to take all of them. I know my 3 year old is going to love seeing the aquarium and the rain forest!
So I made this cake last Sunday. It is SO EASY and such a good refrigerator cake….you know the kind that is perfect served cold with a tall glass of milk. It is perfect for your ripened bananas. Normally, I just make banana bread, but I think I’ll be making this cake a little more often now.
Plus the icing just takes this cake to a new level. I just love the pineapple in it, but you could certainly make it without it if you or some of your family members are not pineapple-eating peeps. I happen to adore it!
Finally finish it off with some toasted pecans, and you have a great dessert!
Banana Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2/3 cup buttermilk*
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2-3/4 cup toasted pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Into a large mixing bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add shortening and bananas.
- Begin mixing on low to medium speed and slowly add in buttermilk. Continue mixing for 1 minute.
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix for 2 more minutes.
- Pour into a greased 13 x 9 pan.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350. Allow to cool before frosting cake.
- For frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until combined about 1-2 minutes.
- Add vanilla and lemon juice.
- Add powdered sugar and beat for 2 minutes.
- Mix in crushed pineapple.
- Spread onto cooled cake.
- Top icing with toasted chopped pecans.
- Store in refrigerator.
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Joanie @ ZagLeft says
We just got back from New Orleans last night, not for the cheer competition but we did see many little girls with their pretty cheer ribbons in their hair. This banana cake looks so moist and delicious, it would go perfect with a cup of coffee this afternoon.
Jaren says
Joanie, that is so cool we were in the same neck of the woods! Yes, big bows and glitter eye shadow were everywhere!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I made a banana cake for my daughter’s 3rd birthday and what I loved most was how it was NOT banana bread! Yours looks amazing! I went with a strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream but pineapple sounds just as great.
Jaren says
Yes, it is a nice change from the usual banana bread I make. Thanks Kacey!
Liz says
Yummy Jaren. Thanks so much. Your girls are so cute. Have a great day!
Jaren says
Thanks for visiting Liz!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Busy busy! I agree about spending time with kids alone! Such a nice thing. This cake looks delicious!
Jaren says
Thanks Julie!
Beth says
I’m not really sure what Moody Gardens is (I’m a midwest gal) but if there is a rain forest, it sounds awesome!
Jaren says
It’s such a fun place for kids! Thanks Beth!
Heather | girlichef says
I love banana cake, and I can only imagine how amazing it is with a pineapple cream cheese frosting…what a delicious combo. And the cheer competitions sound like so much fun. And while winning is always nice, I definitely think it’s truly enjoying yourself that matters most! That’s really winning. 😉
Jaren says
Thanks Heather!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
Yummy yummy Jaren! I’m going to try this the next time I have some spotty bananas. Glad to hear y’all had a fun time in New Orleans! That’s probably one of my favorite places to visit, and I can’t wait to get back there one day. I hope y’all have fun next weekend, too, and that your daughter and her team enjoys their last competition!
Jaren says
Thanks Ashlyn!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I am headed to New Orleans in week. I have never been, so I am pretty excited. I love the flavor combo in this cake, that pinepaple cream cheese sounds amazing.
Jaren says
You will love it Amy! It is definitely one of a kind!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Your kids are so dang cute! I’m glad you had a great trip! This cake looks fantastic. I actually have bananas sitting on my counter, waiting to be baked in something. I need to make this! Pinned!
Jaren says
Thanks so much Jen!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Who stayed with your little ones? I’m glad you got a little break! This cake looks so, so good It’s like carrot cake but better. I need to try it!
Jaren says
My mom had the baby, and my sister had my toddler. Thank goodness for family!!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
This cake sounds awesome! Two flavors that I LOVE! And I love seeing all the pics on instagram and fb of your daughter cheering. I did competitive cheerleading for 8 years and LOVED it. I sure hope that one day my daughter wants to do it. I can’t wait to go back to the loud music, curled hair and screaming (no, really). 🙂
Jaren says
I must admit that I am pretty darn ecstatic she loves cheering and competitions because it is just so fun! Thanks Lindsay!
Becky | The Cookie Rookie says
I love the pineapple banana combo! Genius!
Jaren says
Thanks Becky!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
banana cake is always so comforting to me and you’ve done it justice and even went beyond to add a few extra special touches. looks fabulous!
jen says
Do I need to drain the pineapple juice?
Jaren says
Hi Jen! Yes, drain the pineapple juice. I normally indicate that on the recipe, but I must have forgot for that one! Thanks for visiting!