Banana Cake Mix Recipe: Moist, Easy & Topped with Creamy Frosting

Easy Banana Cake from Mix: Super Moist and Finished with Lush Frosting

Banana cake mix is the perfect shortcut for a dessert that tastes homemade. With just a few simple tweaks, like adding ripe bananas and swapping in milk, you can turn an ordinary box into a moist and flavorful banana cake. It works for weeknight cravings, birthday parties, or those times when you need to use up overripe bananas. In this recipe, you’ll learn how to upgrade your mix step by step and finish it with a whipped banana cream frosting that is light, silky, and full of fresh flavor.

My Banana Cake Mix Story

I first experimented with banana cake mix one rainy afternoon in Asheville. I had three overripe bananas and no desire to make banana bread again. Instead, I grabbed a box of white cake mix from the pantry. Mixing the bananas into the batter with cinnamon and nutmeg created something special.

The smell took me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where we baked breads and cookies flavored with warm spices. The first bite of that cake surprised me.It was soft and moist, bursting with banana flavor, and finished with a frosting that tasted just like banana cream pie.From that day forward, banana cake mix became one of my secret weapons in the kitchen.

Now, I often serve this cake alongside desserts like bento cake or strawberry cream cheese frosting cupcakes. Guests are always surprised when I admit it started with a mix. That’s the magic of banana cake mix, turning something simple into something that feels homemade and heartfelt.

Banana Cake Mix

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• Author: Natalie
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Yield: 24 pieces 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This banana cake made from cake mix is moist, full of banana flavor, and finished with a light banana cream whipped frosting. It’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

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16.25 ounce box white cake mix PLUS ingredients listed on the box (use milk instead of water)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

Milk, according to box instructions

3 medium ripe bananas, mashed or broken into chunks

Frosting:

1 cup milk

3.4 ounce box banana cream instant pudding

1 cup heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 baking pan.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

3. Replace the water on the box with milk. Use whole eggs instead of egg whites if the box allows. Add oil as directed. Add mashed bananas.

4. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium-high for 2 minutes until fully blended.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center springs back when lightly touched. Let the cake cool completely.

6. For frosting, whisk milk and pudding together in a bowl. Refrigerate until thickened.

7. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.

8. Gently fold the pudding into the whipped cream until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.

9. Garnish with banana slices before serving if desired.

Notes

Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor.

Wait to add banana slices until right before serving to avoid browning.

Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 69
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 104mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Why Use Banana Cake Mix in Baking

Banana cake mix makes baking approachable, even for beginners. You don’t need to measure flour, sugar, or leavening agents. The box already has the essentials balanced for you. By adding bananas, milk, and spices, you enhance both flavor and texture.

This method ensures the cake turns out soft, tender, and full of banana goodness every time. Plus, banana cake mix adapts easily. You can bake it in a 13×9 pan, divide it into layers like an American-style cake, or even scoop it into muffin tins for banana cupcakes.

Why Banana Cake Mix Works Well

• The bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture.
• Milk enriches the crumb, making it soft.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg add depth of flavor.
• Baking soda helps the bananas lift the batter.

The topping takes it even further. Banana pudding and whipped cream combine into a frosting that feels airy, much lighter than traditional cream cheese frosting. Together, these elements prove that banana cake mix is not just convenient, but also delicious.

How to Make Banana Cake From Cake Mix

Making this banana cake is quick, clean, and stress-free. You only need one bowl and a hand mixer, or a sturdy whisk if you’re going old-school.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9 baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together to blend the dry ingredients.
3. Use milk instead of water, whole eggs if your box gives that option, and add oil as the mix instructs. Then, fold in three ripe bananas mashed or broken into chunks.
4. Beat the mixture on low for about 30 seconds, then switch to medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth and combined.
5. Pour the batter into your greased pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.You’ll know the cake is ready when the center gently bounces back after a light touch.
6. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Tips for Success

• Use bananas that are fully ripe with brown speckles. These add the most flavor.
• Avoid overmixing. This keeps the texture light and fluffy.
• Let it cool completely. A warm cake will melt your frosting.
• For a more festive look, top with banana slices just before serving.

You can serve this cake alongside richer desserts like Greek baklava or something buttery like koulourakia. It balances sweetness beautifully on any dessert table.

Whipped Banana Cream Frosting and Serving Tips

This frosting takes minutes to make and tastes like a banana milkshake.It’s light, tender, and perfectly suited for this rich banana cake.

How to Make It

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of milk with a 3.4 oz package of banana cream instant pudding and whisk until smooth.Chill it in the fridge for about 5 minutes.
2. Using a separate bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks develop.
3. Gently fold the chilled pudding into the whipped cream using a spatula.

Spread the frosting evenly across your cooled cake. If you like, garnish with banana slices, but wait until just before serving to keep them from browning.

Storing the Cake

• Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container.It can remain fresh for up to four days when properly stored.
• The unfrosted cake can be frozen and kept for up to two months.Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil.
• This cake is best served chilled, allowing the flavors to settle and deepen.

Serve it with coffee, tea, or fresh fruit. It pairs beautifully with treats like our braided bread or Mexican cinnamon cookies. Whether you’re hosting or simply treating yourself, this cake brings joy with every bite.

Conclusion

Whether you’re baking for a crowd, planning a cozy family dinner, or simply trying to use up some overripe bananas, this banana cake made with cake mix is a reliable favorite. With just a few smart adjustments, you can turn a basic box mix into a dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery. The result is soft, moist, and finished with a banana cream frosting that melts on your tongue.

Baking doesn’t have to be complicated to feel meaningful. From my kitchen in Asheville to quiet afternoons in Cebu, I’ve learned that the most memorable recipes are often the simplest.These are the moments you cherish and share with those who matter most.

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