Mary Berry Banana Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Why You’ll Like It

• Easy and Foolproof: Like all of Mary Berry’s recipes, this Banana Bread recipe is simple to follow and guarantees fantastic results every time.
• Moist and Flavourful: The banana cake that bursts with natural sweetness and warm spice notes.
• Creamy Dreamy Frosting: The cream cheese icing is like the cherry on top of the cake, offering a rich and tangy luxurious touch satisfying your appetite.
• Banana Chip Crunch: The banana chips on top not only add a lovely decoration but also bring a satisfying crunch to each bite. 

Tips for the Best Banana Cake with Frosting

• Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and flavour. If you have a ripe banana, you can freeze it with the flesh to use for banana cake later.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before applying the cream cheese icing to prevent melting.
• Leave the cake plain or ice it with this cream cheese frosting.
• For added spice, add a dash of nutmeg or allspice to the cake batter.
• Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature before preparing the icing for a smooth texture.

What You Need

Equipment

• 2 x Loaf Tins: 450g (1lb) capacity, roughly 18.5 x 9 x 6 cm (7 x 3.5 x 2.5 in)

• Mixing bowl

• Grater (for lemon zest)

• Fork (for mashing bananas)

• Electric mixer or whisk (for the icing)

• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Banana Loaves:

• 225 g (8 oz) self-raising flour

• 225 g (8 oz) light muscovado sugar

• 225 g (8 oz) butter, cubed and chilled

• 2 small, very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed with a fork

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 150 g (5 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened

• 150 g (5 oz) icing sugar, sifted

• 100 g (4 oz) butter, softened

• A pinch of ground cinnamon

• Banana chips or fresh banana slices, to decorate

Variations

• Add a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the cake batter for a delightful crunch. You can also try our Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal.
• Add dried fruits or fresh fruits like raisins, chopped dates or blueberries to create a Banana Mixed Berries Oatmeal Bake.
• Make a Fudge Brownie Banana Cake.
• Swap the ground cinnamon for ground cardamom for an exotic twist on the classic flavour profile. You can also use homemade Chai Tea Spices
• Turn into chocolate chip banana muffins.
• Banana Bread with almond flour and topped with chunks of chocolate and strawberries

How to Make Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Prepare the tins: Grease two 450g (1lb) loaf tins and line the bases with a strip of baking paper. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) / 160°C fan (320°F) / Gas Mark 4.

2. Rub in the butter: Place the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

3. Add dry ingredients and zest: Stir the ground cinnamon, light muscovado sugar, and lemon zest into the breadcrumb mixture until well combined.

4. Combine wet ingredients: Add the mashed bananas and the beaten eggs to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, and you have a smooth batter.

5. Fill the tins: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf tins, then gently smooth the surface with the back of a spoon or spatula.

6. Bake the loaves: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown, have risen well, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

7. Cool the cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack, carefully peel off the baking paper, and leave them to cool completely.

8. Make the icing: While the cakes cool, make the icing. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the softened cream cheese until well combined. Add the sifted icing sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, then beat again until the icing is smooth and creamy.

9. Ice and decorate: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the tops. Decorate with banana chips or fresh banana slices just before serving.

Saving the Banana Loafs for Later

• Cool Completely: The cake must be completely cool before you add the cream cheese icing; otherwise, the heat will cause the icing to melt and slide off.

• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate at higher temperatures.

• Freeze one loaf for another time for up to 2 months, wrapped in greaseproof paper, though the cake keeps well in a cake tin for up to 1 week.

Serving Suggestions

I like banana cake for brunch or afternoon tea.  Pair it with a steaming cup of tea or coffee to truly savour the warm and comforting flavours.

However, with the cream frosting, this can also become a delightful dessert after dinner.

I find that this homemade banana cake can indeed make a thoughtful and delicious gift when visiting relatives or friends, bringing a bit of homemade goodness to their day. Sharing homemade treats with loved ones is a wonderful way to spread joy and warmth!

More Banana Recipes

• Pioneer Woman Banana Nut Bread
• Pioneer Woman Banana Pudding
• Brandied Banana Fritters
• Irresistible Banana Flip Recipe (Fluffy & Creamy)

Health Info