Fluffy Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe for Sweet Cravings

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when I whip up this creamy peanut butter banana cake that promises pure bliss.

Sweet bananas and rich peanut butter create an irresistible combination that melts in your mouth.

Most bakers struggle to balance moisture and texture, but this recipe solves that challenge perfectly.

Cutting into a slice where nutty warmth meets soft, tender crumb.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in developing deep, comforting flavors that remind you of childhood afternoons.

The magic happens when ripe bananas interact with smooth peanut butter, creating a symphony of taste.

Surprising and delightful, this cake will become your new favorite dessert that everyone asks you to make again and again.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this incredible treat.

How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Cake at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan or two round 9-inch cake pans. Give them a friendly coating of grease and dust of flour to help the cake slide out smoothly.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon (optional but super delicious)

Set this magical dry mixture aside for now.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Creamy peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these together for about 2-3 minutes until they look light and dreamy.

Step 4: Add Liquid Goodness

Drop in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla extract and blend until everything looks perfectly combined.

Step 5: Incorporate Banana Magic

Mash those ripe bananas and fold them into your batter. Now start alternating between your dry ingredient mix and buttermilk. Pour a bit of dry ingredients, mix, add some buttermilk, mix again. End with dry ingredients. Mix gently – we want a tender cake!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Whip Up Peanut Butter Frosting

• Peanut butter
• Softened butter

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust milk for your perfect spreading consistency.

Step 8: Decorate and Serve

Spread that dreamy frosting all over your cooled cake. Want extra flair? Sprinkle chopped peanuts, add banana slices, or drizzle melted chocolate on top. Slice and enjoy your delicious creation!

Tips for a Moist Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• Banana Ripeness Matters: Choose overripe bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your cake.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Don't overmix the batter, as this can develop gluten and create a tough, dry texture.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into measuring cups and level off with a knife to avoid dense, heavy cake results.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even baking.
• Customize Frosting Consistency: Add milk gradually to achieve your preferred spreadable or pipeable frosting texture.

How to Store and Warm Up Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Room Temperature: If serving within 1-2 days, keep the cake at room temperature in a covered cake stand or container. Ensure the area is cool and away from direct sunlight.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Add a small pat of butter or drizzle of milk to restore moisture if needed.

Perfect Pairings for Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• Unleash Creamy Milk Companions: Pair this rich peanut butter banana cake with cold whole milk or a creamy chocolate milk for a classic, indulgent combination that enhances the cake's nutty and sweet flavors.
• Brew Complementary Coffee Matches: Serve alongside a smooth medium-roast coffee or a caramel latte to balance the cake's sweetness and bring out the deep, warm notes of peanut butter and banana.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine Selections: Choose a sweet dessert wine like a moscato or a late-harvest riesling that will harmonize with the cake's subtle banana undertones and complement its creamy peanut butter frosting.
• Craft Contrasting Ice Cream Sidekicks: Top or serve beside a scoop of vanilla bean, salted caramel, or chocolate ice cream to create a delightful temperature and texture contrast that makes each bite more exciting.

Tasty Twists for Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• Chocolate Chunk Adventure: Replace some of the mashed bananas with melted dark chocolate, adding chocolate chunks to the batter for extra richness and depth of flavor.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts on top of the frosting for a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone.
• Caramel Swirl Special: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between cake layers and incorporate a caramel swirl into the peanut butter frosting for a decadent, gooey experience.
• Maple Banana Fusion: Swap brown sugar with maple syrup and add a touch of maple extract to enhance the banana and peanut butter flavors, creating a warm, comforting profile.

Peanut Butter Banana Cake FAQ

• Why use buttermilk in this cake recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a super moist and tender cake texture by breaking down tough gluten strands and adding a subtle tangy flavor that complements the peanut butter and banana perfectly.

• Can I use natural or crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes! Natural or crunchy peanut butter works great. Just make sure to stir it well before measuring to ensure even distribution of oils and consistent cake texture.

• How ripe should my bananas be for this recipe?

Use very ripe bananas with dark brown or black spots. These are sweeter and softer, which helps create a more intense banana flavor and better cake moisture.

• Is this cake good for people who love peanut butter?

Absolutely! This cake is a peanut butter lover’s dream, with peanut butter in both the cake batter and frosting, delivering a rich, nutty flavor in every single bite.

Why Peanut Butter Banana Cake Is Soft, Nutty, and So Satisfying

• Burst with Creamy Comfort: This cake delivers a rich, velvety experience with the perfect blend of peanut butter and ripe bananas, creating a decadent dessert that hugs your taste buds with warmth and sweetness.
• Whip Up with Ease: Perfect for baking novices, this recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a stress-free treat that even beginner bakers can confidently prepare in under an hour.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture Delight: The moist, tender crumb combines the smoothness of mashed bananas with the nutty richness of peanut butter, resulting in a cake that's incredibly soft and satisfyingly dense without being heavy.
• Customize Your Celebration: Versatile enough for casual family gatherings or special occasions, this cake can be dressed up with optional garnishes like chopped peanuts or chocolate drizzle, making it adaptable to any event or personal preference.

What You’ll Need for Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the cake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice that complements banana and peanut butter.

• Ripe Bananas: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and rich banana flavor, best when very soft and spotted.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender, soft cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cake's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and enhances other ingredients.

• Unsalted Butter, Peanut Butter: Creates rich, creamy base with deep nutty flavor, use smooth or crunchy peanut butter.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with caramelization, brown sugar adds moisture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency and helps blend ingredients smoothly.

Peanut Butter Banana Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible Peanut Butter Banana Cake blends creamy richness with sweet banana notes, creating a moist dessert that delights taste buds. Comfort baking meets gourmet satisfaction in this simple yet elegant treat you’ll crave time and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Wet Ingredients and Flavorings:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (130 g / 4.6 ounces) creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 ounces) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fluid ounces) buttermilk

Frosting Ingredients:

• ½ cup (130 g / 4.6 ounces) creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup (60 g / 2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 g / 8.5 ounces) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans with grease and flour, then set the oven temperature to 350F (175C).
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
3. Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the creamed mixture, then blend in vanilla extract until fully integrated.
5. Fold mashed bananas into the batter, then gradually alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, ensuring minimal mixing to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan(s), distributing evenly and baking for 30-35 minutes in a 9×13-inch pan or 25-30 minutes in round pans until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
7. Allow the cake to cool completely, creating the perfect canvas for frosting.
8. Craft the frosting by blending peanut butter and softened butter until smooth, then gradually introduce powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
9. Whip the frosting until it reaches a light, creamy consistency, adjusting milk quantity as needed for ideal spreadability.
10. Generously apply the frosting across the cooled cake surface, optionally embellishing with chopped peanuts, fresh banana slices, or a decadent chocolate drizzle.

Notes

• Soften bananas beforehand by letting them ripen until dark and spotty for deeper, sweeter flavor and better moisture in the cake.
• Use natural creamy peanut butter without added sugars to control sweetness and prevent excessive graininess in the batter.
• Choose full-fat buttermilk for richer texture and more tender crumb, ensuring the cake stays moist and soft after baking.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising the cake’s delicious taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg