Easy Banana Cake with Yogurt and Cream Cheese Icing
This banana cake with yogurt is soft, tender, and topped with fluffy cream cheese icing — a simple, small-batch cake that’s just right for using up ripe bananas.
I recently asked my Instagram community to share their favorite birthday cakes. Their answers were so fun and delicious-sounding, I decided to bake something a little different to celebrate both my birthday and our anniversary this year.
I pulled out a banana cake with yogurt recipe I had gotten from a friend years ago, divided the recipe in half, and baked it in an 8×8 pan so we wouldn’t have leftovers for weeks on end — and it was just as scrumptious as I remembered.
This cake is the perfect alternative to banana bread when you’ve got ripe bananas on hand… or, if you’re like me, you might just want to buy bananas especially for this cake. Yes, it’s that good.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Cake Recipe
- A delicious way to use up ripe bananas.
- Yogurt makes the cake extra moist and tender.
- Bakes in a small 8×8 pan — perfect for two people or a small family.
- Cream cheese icing adds the perfect tangy-sweet finish.
- A cozy, homemade dessert that feels special but is simple to make.
Ingredients for Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
For exact measurements and instructions, check out the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
For the Banana Cake:
- Egg
- White sugar
- Vanilla
- Mashed bananas
- Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Milk
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Icing sugar (powdered sugar)
Step by Step Instructions for this Easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
(For all the detailed instructions, refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
1. Mix wet & dry ingredients in seperate bowls. 2.Alternately add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with 2 Tablespoons milk. 3.Mix to combine.
4.Pour into a greased 8×8 inch pan. 5.Bake for 25 minutes. 6. Mix cream cheese icing together in a mixing bowl.
Helpful Tips When Making This Recipe
- Make sure your bananas are very ripe for the best flavor.
- Use plain or vanilla yogurt — either works well.
- Always cool the cake completely before icing, or the frosting will melt.
- For neat slices, chill the cake slightly after frosting before cutting.
- Room temperature cream cheese and butter make mixing the frosting so much easier.
Substitutions and Variations for this Banana Cake Recipe
- Swap in Greek yogurt for regular yogurt if you want a richer cake.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for extra flavor.
- Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Use chocolate chips instead of nuts for a fun twist.
Grandma Rita’s Kitchen Tips
Three special kitchen tools make making this cake recipe so much easier: a professional cake pan makes the corner pieces nice and square; my stand mixer makes whipping frosting a breeze; and a frosting spatula makes frosting it turn out so even. It’s helpful to have all the right tools on hand! (All are Amazon Affiliate links for your shopping convenience.)
Other Banana Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Mom’s banana cream pie with cooked pudding is always a hit!
- Buttermilk banana bread with cream cheese icing is delicious even without the icing!
- This baked oatmeal recipe with bananas and blueberries is one of our favorite make ahead breakfast recipes.
- This small batch banana pumpkin muffins is perfect for two!
- Banana bread cookies are fun for the grandkids!
- Whip up a batch of frozen banana and strawberry yogurt in your food processor!
Banana Cake with Yogurt & Cream Cheese Frosting
Looking for something different than banana bread? This banana cake with yogurt is tender, flavorful, and finished with rich cream cheese icing for a perfect anytime dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla
- 2 mashed bananas
- ¼ cup yogurt (vanilla or plain)
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp milk
- For the Icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spry an 8x8 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Beat together the egg, sugar, vanilla, bananas, and yogurt in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Add dry ingredients alternately with 2 tablespoons milk to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes, or until the sides start to pull away and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- For the icing: beat softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, and beat until smooth.
- Cool cake completely before spreading icing over the top.
- Cut into 12 pieces. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Free printable set!!
Snag the planner I use to simplify grocery trips and dinners!
Pin It Now, Make It Later
Don’t lose track of this recipe! Save it on Pinterest so it’s ready when you need it. Follow me on Pinterest for even more meal ideas and inspiration for your home.
I usually check all three upcoming blocks before making a move. That simple habit helps me avoid getting trapped later.