If you love the cozy flavors of banana bread, cinnamon rolls, and pound cake, wait until you try this Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This delightful treat brings together the best elements of all three favorites into one irresistible cake. It’s packed with luscious mashed bananas, swirls of warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with a silky cream cheese frosting, making it a perfect dessert or a special breakfast treat. Whether it’s for a holiday brunch or an everyday indulgence, this cake is utterly comforting and full of nostalgic flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A round bundt cake with a light brown color sits on a black cooling rack over a white marbled surface. The cake has a smooth outer texture with visible tiny specks, showing a moist but baked appearance. A thick, creamy white glaze is being poured evenly from a metal bowl onto the top of the cake, dripping down in thick streams over the sides, creating glossy streaks that contrast with the cake’s texture. The glaze is fresh and flowing, covering much of the top surface and some of the sides while the black rack underneath catches the drips. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one brings a unique touch—rich butter for tenderness, ripe bananas for moisture and sweetness, and warm spices to create that classic cinnamon roll vibe.

Unsalted butter, softened: Provides creamy richness and moisture for a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake while helping with structure and browning.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give lift to the batter.
Mashed bananas: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and that iconic banana flavor.
Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist and adds a slight tang to balance sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Boosts aroma and enhances the overall flavor profile.
All-purpose flour: Forms the foundational structure of the cake.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors so they truly shine.
Baking powder: Helps the cake rise to a fluffy perfection.
Brown sugar: For the cinnamon swirl, it adds deep caramel notes and sweetness.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: The warm, spicy duo that makes every bite feel like a comforting hug.
Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, lending tang and creaminess.
Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting texture beautifully.
Milk: Thins out the frosting just enough for a perfect drizzle.

How to Make Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Next, thoroughly grease a 12-cup Bundt cake pan using nonstick cooking spray. This ensures your cake will release easily and keep its beautiful shape once baked.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a soft, airy cake texture.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Into the creamy butter and sugar, beat in the eggs one at a time. Then add the mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined, which will fill your kitchen with an enticing aroma.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir just until combined—overmixing here could make your cake dense instead of tender, so take care to stop as soon as everything is blended.

Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter until smooth. This mixture creates those warm, gooey pockets of cinnamon throughout the cake that replicate the classic cinnamon roll experience.

Step 6: Layer and Swirl the Batter

Spread one-third of your batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan. Dollop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture on top, then use a fork or butter knife to gently swirl it into the batter. Repeat the layers: one-third batter, the remaining cinnamon swirl, and finish with the final third of batter on top. The swirls create beautiful ribbons of spicy, sweet flavor inside the cake.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 80 to 90 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should have a golden crust with tender, moist interior packed with rich banana and cinnamon flavors.

Step 8: Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is essential so the cream cheese frosting won’t melt when applied.

Step 9: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating everything together until you have a luscious and pourable frosting.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Drizzle the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cake. The tangy, smooth frosting perfectly complements the sweet banana cinnamon cake, creating a show-stopping dessert.

How to Serve Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A round bundt cake with a glossy white glaze dripping down its sides is shown on a white plate with a simple embossed edge. The cake has a golden-brown outer crust and a light yellow interior swirled with a cinnamon-colored filling. A slice of the cake is placed on a smaller white plate to the right, revealing the thick, soft texture inside. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a cream cloth nearby, adding a soft touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the frosting. A light dusting of cinnamon or some thinly sliced bananas also add beautiful appeal and a hint of fresh flavor.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for an indulgent breakfast or afternoon treat. For dessert, serve alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to lighten each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the cake into hefty wedges and serve on pretty dessert plates with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent finish. For gatherings, cut into smaller squares and arrange on a tiered tray to impress guests with an inviting display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe covered tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Keeping it covered prevents the cake from drying out while maintaining that soft, moist texture.

Freezing

You can freeze this cake by first wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to preserve the cream cheese frosting’s freshness.

Reheating

To enjoy the cake warm, gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This enhances the flavors and softens the frosting, making every bite feel freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! Overripe bananas are ideal here because they are sweeter and mash easily, contributing lots of moisture and banana flavor to the cake.

Is it necessary to use sour cream?

Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness, but you can substitute with Greek yogurt if you prefer a lighter option without losing that tender texture.

What if I don’t have a Bundt pan?

You can use a standard loaf pan or two 9-inch round pans instead. Adjust the baking time accordingly, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

Can I make the cinnamon swirl without nutmeg?

Yes, if you’re out of nutmeg, simply omit it; the cinnamon and brown sugar combination is still wonderfully flavorful on its own.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting?

Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting. If the kitchen is warm, refrigerate the cake briefly to firm it up before applying the cream cheese frosting.

Final Thoughts

This Banana Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of those magical finds that brings joy to your taste buds and warmth to your kitchen. It combines familiar favorites into a stunning dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make and impossible to resist. I encourage you to try baking it soon—once you do, it might just become your new go-to cake for celebrations or cozy weekend treats.