Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• The cake batter comes together in one bowl for easy cleanup. 
• Whole-wheat flour adds some fiber to this cake to support gut health. 
• Warm spices like ginger, cinnamon and cardamom will make your kitchen smell amazing.

This Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a pleasantly spiced dessert that’s perfect for fall. Mashed ripe bananas lend natural sweetness and help keep the cake moist, while a blend of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom infuses it with flavor (and makes your kitchen smell amazing!). The addition of cardamom brings a subtle citrusy note that lifts the banana flavor and adds a unique twist. A combination of whole-wheat and all-purpose flours gives the cake a boost of fiber while still keeping it soft and fluffy. Finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting that balances the sweetness and spice, this cake is comforting and crowd-pleasing! Curious how to get perfect results every time? Check out our go-to tips and helpful hints below.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• The perfect ripe banana will have large brown patches on the peel. The more spots, the sweeter and softer the banana will be.
• Be sure to soften the butter and cream cheese to prevent lumps in the frosting. This is easily done by leaving both at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cut them into smaller pieces to speed up the process.
• Make sure the cake is cooled completely before frosting it to avoid melting.

Nutrition Notes

• Whole-wheat flour offers more fiber than all-purpose flour—a ¾-cup serving of whole-wheat flour has about three times as much fiber compared to all-purpose. In this cake, we do a 50/50 split, as some baked goods with 100% whole-wheat flour can be too dense, but you’ll still get more fiber—an important nutrient that can help support a healthy gut. 
• Bananas provide B vitamins, including B1, B3 and B6, which are needed for energy production. They also contain potassium to support heart health.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.