The Best Strawberry Banana Cake recipe is an easy, super moist cake with strawberries, bananas, walnuts or pecans and the best cream cheese frosting!
Cake with Strawberries
This recipe for The Best Strawberry Banana Cake is a definite keeper! The cake is full of flavor and super moist.
No one needs a bland, dry cake in their lives!
For years we just made our banana cake and then one year, for some reason, we added strawberries and our strawberry banana cake was born!
We have been making it that way ever since.
I just love the flavor combination of strawberries and bananas and they go perfectly together in this cake. Actually, they are perfect together in just about everything I believe.
Banana and strawberry are like chocolate and caramel or chocolate and peanut butter. Flavors that really compliment each other.
The hint of cinnamon in this easy banana cake with strawberries also really makes such a difference. A subtle one but I definitely wouldn't leave the cinnamon out!
I actually feel like I should apologize for not posting this recipe sooner. At least now you will have the option of making this cake whenever you want or need to.
Everything about this Strawberry Banana Cake is delicious. It's called the best for good reason. You will be glad you tried it.
Cake Recipe with Strawberry
Every year around June strawberry season starts and boy oh boy do I look forward to it!
Not only do we try to grow our own strawberries, which rarely works out, there is a farm less than an hour from here where you can go and pick as many as you want.
How amazing is that?!
My husband and son used to go out and pick all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Especially those that won't grow in our garden, no matter how hard I ask my husband to try! ?
I do understand that some things just won't grow in our soil or our climate won't support it. I just don't have to be happy about it.
The fact that I will never be able to grow a pineapple is something I am trying to live with as best I can!
All kidding aside, any cake recipe with strawberry is worth a try in my eyes and hopefully you will agree and try this one.
I can't wait to hear if you enjoy this easy banana cake with strawberries as much as we do.
Banana Strawberry Cake
In our opinion, buttermilk really helps make this cake with strawberries have the perfect texture. So moist and so full of flavor, this cake satisfies every time.
I get requests for this cake all summer long. So much so my husband believes I can make this cake in my sleep and he is likely correct!
I have transported this cake on many occasions to both close and far away destinations.
If I am going some place close by, I just make the cake as written and bring it along with me. If going a distance, I freeze the cake with everything but the fresh strawberries on top.
I add them right before serving, once cake is totally defrosted.
I have never had leftovers but this banana cake with strawberries freezes beautifully. Again, without the strawberries on top.
I recommend freezing in an airtight container so you don't make a mess of the frosting and nuts on the outside of the cake.
That being said, if you have leftovers and want to freeze them I'm going to tell you what my best friend does.
She picks the strawberries off of what is leftover and places the strawberry banana cake right inside an airtight container. She adds more fresh strawberries on top when serving and does this year, after year.
She believes if she doesn't freeze the cake she will just finish off whatever is left of the cake, bite by bite herself. I can totally relate.
When re-adding the strawberries to the top of the cake after freezing it, the pinkish red stains on the icing from the fresh strawberries will be covered up.
No one can tell and no one would care if they knew.
She says that is the best way to do it and I believe her because the strawberries do not hold up well in the freezer. The taste isn't the problem. The presentation is.
The cake still tastes great. The defrosted strawberries on top make the cake not as pretty as it should be.
This cake deserves to look like a beautiful work of art!
Easy Banana Cake
I am all about trying to make things as simple as possible. Although this easy banana cake recipe isn't like making a cake from a box, it is straightforward and perfect for beginners and experts alike.
This is the cake my son made most frequently when he was growing up I believe. Likely because I made it most often!
He still makes it to this day.
We have tried using all kinds of icings, ganaches and glazes on top of this cake. In our opinion, the best way to serve this easy banana cake is with cream cheese frosting.
There is just nothing like it.
My husband thinks this cake tastes great without the icing too.
I believe I have tried serving this cake in every way possible or in every way that I could think of.
Some of the glazes were good. We had an icing we enjoyed for a while. I have served this cake with a dusting of powdered sugar on top or just with ice cream or whipped cream.
By far our favorite finish for this cake is cream cheese frosting and I'm sure you will agree. You still need to be aware of some options and with this easy banana cake you do have them.
You are going to have to decide whether you want to include nuts. Think chopped walnuts or pecans. You can easily include them inside your cake or just sprinkled on top.
My husband loves this cake with nuts and I love it with or without. Both ways taste great as you would expect so your decision can be made depending on your mood or what you have in the house!
Cake with Strawberries and Bananas
Today I needed this. Sometimes you just NEED cake! This cake is such an amazing comfort food for me.
As a matter of fact, this is the only banana cake recipe with strawberries I have ever encountered and I am always on the lookout for new cakes!
Especially cake with strawberries!
The one thing I have to mention is that this Banana Strawberry Cake MUST be made in a 13 x 9 inch CAKE PAN.
A cake pan is slightly deeper than a regular 13 x 9 inch pan like this one or here is another that comes in a set of two. Both come with lids for easy transport but the important part here is how deep the pan is.
The extra ¼ to ½ an inch depth can make a difference. Your pan must be 2 ¼ inches deep for the record or more.
If you try and make this banana cake with strawberries with a regular 13 x 9 inch pan the cake could overflow and you will have a mess on your hands.
Believe me. I have done it myself. Years ago but I did it.
Most pans are now made to be 2 ¼ to 2 ½ inches deep. If you're like me and have some old pans my grandmother used, you need to be aware!
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
I can not seem to help myself when decorating this banana cake with strawberries, nuts and the cream cheese icing.
The decorations make the cake look so pretty! No matter how you slice up the strawberries. Try and have some fun with it.
The more strawberries and nuts the better I always say!
The cream cheese icing and pecans or walnuts finish this delicious cake off to be the perfect end to any event!
Ken is the one that finishes any extra cream cheese frosting. He will actually throw some strawberries and some pecans in the bowl with the icing and sit and eat all of it!
Truth be told I am glad he eats it because if he didn't then I would! Isn't that terrible? It is true though.
Ingredients for Banana Strawberry Cake
Cake
- very ripe bananas
- fresh strawberries
- lemon juice
- flour
- cinnamon
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- brown sugar
- eggs
- vanilla
- buttermilk
Icing
- butter
- cream cheese
- icing or powdered sugar
Decorations
- pecans or walnuts
How to make Easy Banana Strawberry Cake
Cake
In a small bowl combine mashed bananas, cinnamon and lemon juice and set aside.
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Using a handheld or stand mixer beat the butter and sugars on high speed until smooth and creamy, a few minutes. Scrape down the sides of your bowl as necessary.
Add eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until combined.
Add dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
Once incorporated gently add in your mashed bananas and strawberries with a wooden spoon. Do not over mix.
The batter will be thick and a little lumpy. This is ok. Add nuts if desired.
Pour your batter into your prepared cake pan and bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool in the pan for between 5 and 10 minutes before dumping on to a rack to cool completely.
Icing
Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth using your mixer.
Gradually add icing sugar and beat on low to medium speed until combined.
Once icing is well blended spread all over your totally cool cake. That does sound funny every time I say it.
Decorate top of iced cake with nuts and strawberries if desired!
Serve and enjoy!
We hope you give this recipe for The Best Strawberry Banana Cake a try! I think you will be glad you did! At least have a look at our video below if you have a moment!
The Best Strawberry Banana Cake Video
Other Cakes to Try
The Best Strawberry Banana Cake
Equipment
- 13 x 9 inch cake pan (at least 2 ¼ inch deep)
- Handheld mixer
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups very ripe bananas mashed, ripe
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ½ -¾ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped, if desired
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups icing sugar
Decorations
- ¼ -½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 6-10 large fresh strawberries, sliced or diced
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Prepare your 9 x 13 inch pan with grease and flour. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine mashed bananas, cinnamon and lemon juice and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer beat the butter and sugars on high speed until smooth and creamy, a few minutes. Scrape down the sides of your bowl as necessary.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until combined. Add dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
- Once incorporated gently add in your mashed bananas and strawberries with a wooden spoon. Do not over mix. The batter will be thick and a little lumpy. This is ok.
- Pour your batter into your prepared pan and bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool in the pan for between 5 and 10 minutes before dumping on to a rack to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
- Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth using your mixer.
- Gradually add icing sugar and beat on low to medium speed until combined.
- Once icing is well blended spread all over your totally cool cake. That does sound funny every time I say it.
- Decorate top of iced cake with nuts and strawberries if desired!
- Serve and enjoy every bite!
Notes
Nutrition
Dee says
Hi! I’m so excited about this! I ended up using a deep Bundt for this and it turned out perfectly. I had to do an additional 10 min in my oven, and used a good thermometer to bring it to 205 degrees. I’m waiting for it to cool, but it slipped out the Bundt perfectly and looks absolutely beautiful.
Karin and Ken says
I’m so happy for you! We love this cake! I hope you enjoy a slice as much as we do! I can’t wait to hear. Enjoy your day! Karin
Phyllis Barber says
Do you keep it in the fridge?
Karin and Ken says
I always cover it and keep it in the fridge until needed. I apologize for not including that information! Enjoy this cake. It’s definitely delicious! All the best. Karin
Sabiha says
Amazing cake!! Got so many compliments. Didn't have buttermilk though so I used 2% milk and heavy cream mix. Turned out absolutely delicious!!
This one I will keep in my recipe book.
Thank you for sharing!
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this cake! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know. You honestly made my day! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Lori says
I made this today, followed the recipe, except the frosting as my husband cut into it before I had frosted it! It's delicious! We just add a bit of powered sugar and fresh cut strawberries....YUM!!!
Karin and Ken says
I can’t thank you enough! This has been my favorite cake for so long! You truly made my day. It’s delicious without frosting too. I have the exact same problem with my husband! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin
Isha says
Awesome taste!!!!! Yipee! I baked it for my toddler so made a few changes to the recipe. Reduced the amount of sugar by half, eliminated the eggs, substituted buttermilk with full fat milk and used whole wheat flour. The cake turned out really yummy. My kid's friends loved it too and their mothers asked for the recipe! I added 1 apple too. You rock Kitchen Divas.
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for your kind words and for letting me know the changes you made. Might just try that myself. Take care. Karin
Bren says
I would recommend trying this recipe. You won't be disappointed. This cake is delish, and addicting! It was not hard to make and your family and friends will want you to make it again!!
Note: I substituted the buttermilk with sour cream and milk and I used only 3 cups of sugar in the cream cheese icing.
Karin and Ken says
Well thank you for your kind words! I'm going to try that myself! I love this cake! Take care. Karin
Debbie says
Going to make this recipe into cupcakes for fourth of July. Baking time about 30 minutes give or take.
Karin and Ken says
I am so excited to hear how these turned out. I have been wanting to make these cupcakes for so long. Hope all went well. Hopefully you LOVE this recipe as much as we do. My fingers are crossed all went well. Take care, Karin
Devin says
Hello! Do you know how long approximately to bake if I am using 5.5” round pans?
Thanks!
Karin and Ken says
This is going to be a guess but start checking at around 20 minutes and then every 5 minutes after. Look through your oven window until cake starts to look like a dome is forming. Once you see a dome, quickly open oven door and stick a toothpick into the center. Once it comes out basically clean your cakes are done! I hope you enjoy this cake as much as we do! Take care and be well. Karin
Debbie Elliott says
I offered to make my friend a cake for her birthday - until she requested a banana and strawberry cake! I was so skeptical, but, after finding this recipe went ahead anyway, and it was an absolute hit! Thank you for sharing:) I made it in two 9in tins and worked out great.
Karin and Ken says
Glad to hear you enjoyed this amazing cake! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. Take care and enjoy your day. Karin
Michele Haskins says
I was wanting to make this cake in 9.5" round pans. I was going to try this but I see you recommend only using a 13x9 pan. I don't want to ruin it so any help would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to get baking this cake. Thank you so much!
Karin and Ken says
What a great idea! I wish I thought of it myself. I believe it will work and the cake will look gorgeous but the baking time will be a lot less. I would check after 20 minutes and start watching through your oven window. Do not open oven until you see the cake has rounded on top. Use the toothpick test. If comes out clean you’re done! I believe you’ll have more than enough frosting. Please let me know how it goes! I can’t wait to hear! I’m going to try this myself! Take care. Talk soon. Karin
Sandy says
Best cake ever. I love strawberries and bananas and this cake was perfect. The icing was wonderful. Everyone loved it that tried it. I even shared it with neighbors mostly because I was worried I would eat it all myself. Thanks Love your site
Karin and Ken says
I have the exact same problem. I can't trust myself with recipes I love. Too funny. Thank you for your kind words. I'm grateful to have you with me on my food journey! ALl the best. Karin
alice says
Perfect flavors. We ate it all. Thanks
Karin and Ken says
Happy to hear you enjoyed this delicious cake! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Shadia Blair says
Made this cake with my sister, and yes we did cut the sugar in 1/2 because the bananas give that natural sweetness to the cake. But it was delicious and we saved the recipe! So great and very moist ! Thanks for sharing.
Karin and Ken says
Great idea to reduce the amount of sugar. Next time I make it I will try that myself! The less sugar the better! Thank you for taking the time to let me know! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best to you. Karin
Trish L says
Wow ! This cake is outstanding, if I do say so myself.. ALL my family raved about it, All had seconds, and all asked me to make it again, pronto.!! I did curtail the sugar to one cup and the cinnamon to one tsp., and I added a few crushed nuts to the batter. More thanks than I can say for posting this recipe 🙂 Whoever reads this should try it... It won't disappoint!!!
Karin and Ken says
You have made my day! This cake is one of my favorites and I am so glad you all enjoyed it too! I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know how you modified it as well. I always love to hear. Next time I make it I will use less sugar. I know a little less sugar never hurts! Hope you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. Take care and all the best to you. Karin