Description
A strategic meal prep lunch that combines moist banana cake with protein-packed cream cheese frosting, designed to keep you satisfied and energized throughout the workday.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large ripe bananas
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
- Mash ripe bananas in a medium bowl until mostly smooth, leaving small chunks.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients by adding dry ingredients to wet in three parts, alternating with mashed bananas. Mix on low speed just until combined; do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment paper and cool completely on a wire rack.
- While cake cools, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add heavy cream or milk gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake and slice into portions.
Notes
Ensure bananas are very ripe (brown spots) for maximum sweetness and moisture. Use room temperature ingredients for better emulsion. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense texture. Cool the cake completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese from melting. Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: banana cake, cream cheese frosting, meal prep lunch, healthy lunch, moist banana bread, office lunch, easy baking