Easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (466 grams)
• 1/2 cup whole milk (120 ml)
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (420g)
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (227g)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
• 1 cup light brown sugar (220g)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g)
• 1 block cream cheese (8-ounce/227g)
• 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar (540g)
• optional pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
3. Mash the ripe bananas in a liquid measuring cup until you have exactly 2 cups (466 grams).
4. Bake the mashed bananas at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until they are blackened. Let them cool slightly.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups (420g) of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 1/4 tsp. baking soda, and 1 tsp. kosher salt.
6. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer), cream 1 cup (227g) of unsalted room temperature butter for about 30 seconds on medium-high speed.
7. Add 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar and 1 cup (220g) light brown sugar to the creamed butter. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 2 tsp. vanilla extract.
9. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the banana and milk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
10. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
11. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
13. While the cake cools, prepare the cream cheese frosting by creaming 1/2 cup (113g) of unsalted butter and 8 ounces (227g) of cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
14. Gradually add 4 1/2 cups (540g) of powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy. Add an optional pinch of salt.
15. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
16. Cut and enjoy!