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Overhead shot of apple cinnamon banana bread snack cake topped with cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cinnamon

Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread Snack Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

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 to the cake. It's the perfect treat for any time of day, hence the name. Sometimes you just need a piece of banana bread/cake, right?

Course Bread, Breakfast, Cake, Dessert, Dessert/Snack, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword apple cinnamon banana bread, banana bread, banana bread snack cake, banana cake with cream cheese frosting, banana snack cake, banana snack cake 8x8, banana snack cake with sour cream, cinnamon cream cheese frosting, easy banana bread snack cake, moist banana bread snack cake, snack cake, snacking cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 9 squares
Author Molly | Spices in My DNA

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream (can sub full fat Greek yogurt)
  • 2 medium overripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

For the cinnamon cream cheese frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350℉. Line an 8x8 metal or glass baking dish with parchment. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and whisk thoroughly until smooth and combined. Add the sour cream and mashed bananas and whisk to combine. Set aside.

  3. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Add to the wet ingredients, folding together with a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in the chopped apples and mix until just combined. Don't overmix!

  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cake cool completely before frosting.

  5. To make the cinnamon cream cheese frosting, add the softened butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium to medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides, and mix again, as we don't want any chunks of cream cheese. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, and mix again for a minute. Lower the speed and add the powdered sugar. Once incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for a minute or two, or until light and fluffy.

  6. Using an offset spatula, frost the cake with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Dust with extra cinnamon if desired. Cut into 9 squares and enjoy!