My Go-To Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is my go-to banana cake recipe.  I have been making it for several years and I always get recipe requests for this.  Sometimes I switch up the frosting.  I've tried vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, Nutella frosting and all are fabulous.  I've been a bit obsessed with cream cheese frosting lately.  That tang from the cream cheese just hits the spot :)

Next time you have some brown bananas lying around, you have got to try this.  The cake is dense and loaded with flavor.  Top it with whatever frosting you prefer and you might just find yourself buying bananas and letting them go brown on purpose, so you can make this sweet dessert.

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Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Printable Recipe)

2 Tbl. unsalted butter, softened
2/3 c. sugar
1 large egg
1/2 c. non-fat plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 3/4 cup)
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 Tbl. unsalted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (or 1 Tbl. vanilla bean paste)
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
milk, enough to reach desired consistency

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  For the cake: Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the egg and mix to combine.  Add the yogurt and vanilla and mix well.  Mix in the mashed banana.  Add the flour, salt, baking soda and stir together just until combined.  Pour into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish.  Bake for 25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely and frost.  Store leftover cake in the refrigerator. 

For the frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy.  Add a pinch of salt and the vanilla and mix until blended.  Add one cup of powdered sugar and mix until combined.  Add remaining powdered sugar and enough milk, as needed, to reach desired spreading consistency.  Beat until smooth and fluffy and spread over cooled cake.  

Base cake recipe adapted from: Butter Yum 
Frosting from: Jenn@eatcakefordinner

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Banana Parfaits with Granola Crumble

Crunchy granola, creamy bananas, thick pudding and pillowy whipped topping are layered into parfait glasses (or jars) to create a quick and easy dessert.

These banana parfaits are delicious.  They are a perfect snack for a week night or even movie night.  The fresh bananas make you think you are eating a homemade treat and you won't be thinking about boxed pudding mix.

They are great when eaten right when they are made, but I also like them after the granola has softened a bit.  It's a great combination of flavors and textures and a treat that the whole family will love.

Banana Parfaits with Granola Crumble
adapted from: Bobby Deen
(Printable Recipe)

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding
2 c. 1% milk
1 c. lite frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 c. low-fat granola
2 large bananas, sliced

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry pudding mix and the milk until well combined.  Refrigerate until set; about 5 minutes.  Place two Tablespoons of granola into the bottom of each of four parfait glasses.  Top each with a little pudding, some banana slices and some whipped topping.  Then repeat with another layer of one Tablespoon of granola, a little pudding, some banana slices and some whipped topping.  Garnish with a little more granola on top and serve.  Serves: 4.  

Note: if you want to make these a little bit in advance, give the bananas a little spritz of lemon or pineapple juice to keep them from browning. 

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