If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert that’s as creamy and decadent as it is elegant, this Banana Cream Cake How To Make Banana Cream Cake guide is for you. With layers of moist vanilla cake, rich pastry cream filling studded with fresh bananas, and a dreamy whipped cream frosting, this cake delivers incredible flavor and a gorgeous presentation.
Whether you’re planning a banana birthday cake, searching for unique banana cake ideas, or simply want to impress at your next party, this is the best banana cake for parties you can bake. Let’s walk through how to make this beautiful cake step by step, with all the pro tips and decorating suggestions you need to make it shine.
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Who Will Love This Recipe? Perfect for Banana Birthday Cake Lovers and More
This recipe is ideal for banana lovers and anyone looking for creative birthday cake recipes. It’s elegant enough for a wedding shower or milestone birthday, but approachable enough for casual family gatherings.
The light, creamy filling and fluffy whipped cream frosting also make it a crowd-pleaser for those who don’t like overly sweet desserts. If you’ve been searching for an easy banana filling for cake or a fresh take on classic banana cake ideas, you’ve come to the right place.
Why This Cake With Banana Filling is a Standout Among Banana Cake Ideas
Of all the banana cake ideas out there, this one stands apart because of its luscious cake with banana filling that tastes just like banana cream pie in cake form. The soft layers of cake soak up the pastry cream and banana flavors, creating a dessert that’s moist, light, and bursting with flavor.
It’s not just a banana cream cake — it’s a centerpiece dessert that will have your guests asking for seconds.
Ingredients: Everything You Need for Banana Cream Cake
Here’s what you’ll need to make this stunning cake:
Cake Layers
- Cake flour – 2 ½ cups
- Granulated sugar – 2 cups
- Baking powder – 2 ½ teaspoons
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted butter, softened – 1 cup (2 sticks)
- Egg whites – 4 large
- Whole eggs – 2 large
- Whole milk – 1 cup
- Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon
Banana Cream Filling
- Whole milk – 2 cups
- Egg yolks – 4 large
- Granulated sugar – ½ cup
- Cornstarch – 3 tablespoons
- Unsalted butter – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Bananas – 2 ripe, sliced thin
Whipped Cream Frosting
- Heavy cream – 2 cups
- Powdered sugar – ½ cup
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
Optional for garnish: banana chips, extra fresh banana slices, or white chocolate curls.
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need for Easy Banana Filling For Cake Success
✅ Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
✅ Mixing bowls
✅ Medium saucepan
✅ Whisk
✅ 8- or 9-inch cake pans (3)
✅ Parchment paper
✅ Cooling racks
✅ Offset spatula
Step-by-Step: How To Make Banana Cream Cake Like a Pro
1️⃣ Bake the Cake Layers
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three cake pans with parchment.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add softened butter and mix on low until mixture resembles sand.
In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg whites, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients while mixing on low, then beat on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 22–25 minutes. Cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the Banana Cream Filling
In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming. In a bowl, whisk yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly, then return mixture to saucepan. Cook on medium, whisking, until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla, and cool completely.
3️⃣ Make the Whipped Cream Frosting
In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake
Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread with half the banana cream filling and arrange banana slices over it. Repeat with second layer. Top with third layer and frost entire cake with whipped cream frosting.
5️⃣ Decorate
Garnish with banana chips, white chocolate curls, or piped whipped cream. Chill cake at least 30 minutes before slicing for clean cuts.
Tips for Success: Master the Best Banana Cake For Parties Every Time
✅ Use ripe, yellow bananas for the filling for the sweetest flavor.
✅ Make sure cake layers are completely cool before assembling.
✅ Chill the assembled cake to help it set and slice neatly.
✅ For extra stability, pipe a ring of whipped cream frosting around the edges of each layer before adding banana cream filling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Birthday Cake Recipes With Banana
🚫 Using overripe bananas — they can turn mushy and weepy in the filling.
🚫 Skipping parchment paper — the layers might stick to the pans.
🚫 Overmixing the batter — it can make the cake dense.
🚫 Letting the pastry cream sit too long uncovered — it can develop a skin.
Decorating Tips: Banana Cake Decoration That Wows Guests
✨ Pipe whipped cream rosettes around the edges.
✨ Add banana chips or fresh banana slices just before serving.
✨ Drizzle with caramel sauce for a dramatic effect.
✨ Sprinkle with crushed vanilla wafers for crunch.
These banana cake decoration ideas make this dessert extra special for birthdays, showers, and celebrations.
Creative Variations: Banana Cake Ideas for Every Occasion
🍫 Add chocolate shavings between layers for a banana-chocolate twist.
🥥 Sprinkle toasted coconut on top for a tropical vibe.
🍌 Swap the vanilla cake for a banana-flavored sponge for more banana flavor.
🍯 Add a thin layer of dulce de leche under the banana cream for richness.
How to Store and Serve Banana Cream Cake Properly
Cover and refrigerate cake for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for best texture.
This cake is best enjoyed the same day it’s assembled, but it holds up well in the fridge thanks to the whipped cream frosting and pastry cream filling.
Best Pairings for Banana Cream Cake at Parties
🍷 Sparkling water or lemonade to balance the richness.
🍓 Fresh berries for a colorful platter.
🥂 Coffee or tea for a classic pairing.
Looking for more crowd-pleasing party recipes? Try our banana zucchini muffins or these cheesy mashed potato puffs for savory bites.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Banana Cream Cake
Can I make this cake ahead?
Yes — bake the cake layers and make the pastry cream a day in advance, then assemble on the day you serve it.
Can I use store-bought whipped cream?
For best results, whip it fresh — store-bought often deflates quickly.
Can I freeze this cake?
It’s not recommended — the fresh bananas and whipped cream don’t freeze well.
Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes — for convenience, you can use a white or vanilla boxed cake and focus your efforts on the filling and frosting.
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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
Keywords: Banana Cream Cake, How To Make Banana Cream Cake, Banana Birthday Cake, Cake With Banana Filling, Banana Cake Ideas
