Sometimes you just need a piece of cake, right? This Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake is the perfect answer! It beautifully marries the comforting flavors of banana bread with the delightful texture of apple chunks and warm cinnamon spice. To top it all off, it’s slathered with a silky, tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting that is absolutely divine. I love this Banana Bread Snack Cake because it’s incredibly moist, packed with flavor, and baked in a simple 8×8 pan, making it perfect for snacking anytime. It’s a fantastic treat for a holiday weekend (like this May 1st!) or any day of the week!
Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Snack Cake
- Best of Both Worlds: Combines the moistness of banana bread with the lovely texture of apple cake.
- Incredibly Moist: Melted butter, sour cream (or yogurt), and mashed bananas ensure a super tender crumb.
- Amazing Frosting: The cinnamon cream cheese frosting is tangy, sweet, perfectly spiced, and utterly addictive.
- Easy Snack Cake Format: Baked in an 8×8 pan, it’s easy to make, store, and cut into perfect squares.
- Perfect Anytime Treat: Great for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake
Here’s what you’ll need to bake this delightful snack cake. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Cake
- Salted butter, melted and slightly cooled (Fat)
- Light brown sugar (Sweetener)
- Granulated sugar (Sweetener)
- Large egg, room temperature (Binder)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Sour cream (or full-fat Greek yogurt), room temperature (Dairy)
- Medium overripe bananas, mashed (Fruit)
- All-purpose flour (Dry Ingredient)
- Baking powder (Leavening Agent)
- Baking soda (Leavening Agent)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Honeycrisp apple (or other baking apple), peeled, cored, and chopped (Fruit)
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream cheese, softened (Dairy)
- Salted butter, softened (Fat)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Pinch of salt (Seasoning)
- Powdered sugar (Sweetener)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I adore the apple-banana-cinnamon combination, but feel free to customize this Banana Bread Snack Cake:
- Add Nuts: Fold ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter along with the apples.
- Different Fruit: Use pears instead of apples, or add ½ cup of raisins or dried cranberries.
- Extra Spice: Add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon.
- Different Frosting: Try a simple vanilla glaze, brown butter frosting, or skip the frosting altogether.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips (semi-sweet or white) into the batter.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake
Let me show you how easy it is to make this moist and delicious Banana Bread Snack Cake:
Prep Oven and Pan
- First, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C).
- I line an 8×8 inch metal or glass baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the cake out later. I spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray and set the pan aside.
Mix the Cake Batter
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, I whisk together the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Then, I add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk thoroughly until smooth. Finally, I whisk in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and the mashed bananas until everything is well combined. I set this wet mixture aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl, I whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: I add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, I gently fold them together just until combined. It’s crucial not to overmix at this stage! A few streaks of flour are okay.
- Fold in Apples: Lastly, I gently fold in the chopped apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the Cake
- I pour the batter into the prepared 8×8 inch pan, smoothing the top out evenly with my rubber spatula.
- I bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- I let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. Attempting to frost a warm cake will result in melted frosting!
Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- While the cake cools, I make the amazing frosting. I add the softened butter and softened cream cheese to the bowl of my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl and a hand mixer).
- I mix on medium to medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. I scrape down the sides of the bowl well and mix again, ensuring there are no chunks of cream cheese left.
- I add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, and mix again for about a minute until combined.
- I lower the mixer speed and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once the sugar is mostly incorporated, I increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another minute or two, until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
Cool, Frost, and Serve
- Once the Banana Bread Snack Cake is completely cool, I use my offset spatula to spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- I dust the top with extra cinnamon if desired for a pretty finish.
- Using the parchment paper overhangs, I lift the cake out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
- I cut the cake into 9 squares and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Snack Cake
Here are my secrets for making this Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake truly exceptional:
- Use Overripe Bananas: Those heavily speckled, almost black bananas are perfect! They provide the most banana flavor and moisture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the cake batter (egg, sour cream/yogurt) and frosting (butter, cream cheese), using room temperature ingredients ensures smooth mixing and better texture.
- Don’t Overmix!: This is key for a tender cake. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Gently fold in the apples.
- Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is 100% cool before frosting with cream cheese frosting to prevent melting.
- Soften Butter & Cream Cheese: For lump-free frosting, make sure both the butter and cream cheese are properly softened to room temperature.
How to Serve
This Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake is perfect anytime! Serve it:
- As Is: Cut into squares for a delicious snack or easy dessert.
- For Breakfast or Brunch: A wonderful sweet treat alongside coffee or tea.
- Warmed Slightly: Pop a slice in the microwave for a few seconds for an extra cozy feel.
- With Ice Cream: Serve a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a more decadent dessert.
Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Cake: The unfrosted snack cake can be baked a day ahead. Cool completely, cover tightly, and store at room temperature.
- Frosting: The cream cheese frosting can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let soften slightly at room temperature and beat briefly before frosting the cake.
- Frosted Cake: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days due to the cream cheese frosting. Let slices sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
FAQs about Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake
- What kind of apples are best?
- A firm baking apple that holds its shape works well. Honeycrisp (as suggested), Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith (for more tartness) are all good choices.
- Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
- Yes, full-fat plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream in this Banana Bread Snack Cake.
- Can I bake this in a different size pan?
- Yes. You could use a 9-inch round pan (baking time might be similar) or double the recipe for a 9×13 inch pan (increase baking time). Cupcakes would also work (decrease baking time significantly).
Enjoy this incredibly moist, flavorful, and comforting Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake! It’s a perfect treat any time of day.
Print
Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Cake, Dessert, Dessert/Snack, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake is topped with a silky cinnamon cream cheese frosting and it’s (dare I say) incredibly moist! The cake itself is studded with chunks of apples, which adds a really nice texture. It’s the perfect treat for any time of day!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (or full-fat Greek yogurt), room temperature
- 2 medium overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Honeycrisp apple (or similar crisp apple), peeled, cored, and chopped
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted
Optional Garnish:
- Extra sprinkle of ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Make the Cake:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk thoroughly until smooth. Add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and mashed bananas; whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold together gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly with the rubber spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
2. Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat Butter and Cream Cheese: Add the softened butter and softened cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer and large bowl). Mix on medium to medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure no lumps remain.
- Add Flavorings: Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Mix again for about a minute until combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Lower the mixer speed and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar. Once incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another minute or two, or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
3. Frost and Serve:
- Frost Cake: Using an offset spatula, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake.
- Garnish (Optional): Dust the top with extra cinnamon, if desired.
- Slice and Serve: Cut into 9 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Bananas: Use very ripe bananas (lots of brown spots) for the best flavor and moisture.
- Apples: Honeycrisp or another firm, crisp apple like Gala or Fuji works well.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and sour cream/yogurt helps the batter mix evenly. Softened butter and cream cheese are essential for smooth frosting.
- Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter just until the flour disappears to keep the cake tender.
- Cooling: Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting, otherwise the frosting will melt.
- Storage: Store the frosted cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days due to the cream cheese frosting. Let sit at room temperature briefly before serving for best texture.