Banana Cake Cream Cheese Roll – A Sweet Slice of Comfort

If you love the classic pairing of bananas and cream cheese, this dessert is about to become your new favorite. The Banana Cake Cream Cheese Roll combines a light, moist banana sponge with a luscious cream cheese filling, rolled into a beautiful spiral. It’s soft, slightly tangy, perfectly sweet, and impressive enough for gatherings yet simple enough to make at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake roll is not just delicious, it’s show-stopping. The sponge cake is moist with natural banana flavor, while the cream cheese filling adds richness and balance. Unlike heavy cakes, this dessert feels light and airy, making it perfect for afternoon tea, celebrations, or even a sweet breakfast treat. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for when you need a make-ahead dessert.

Nutritional Benefits

While this dessert is indulgent, it does bring some hidden benefits from ripe bananas. Bananas provide potassium, fiber, and natural sweetness, meaning you can reduce added sugar slightly without losing flavor. The cream cheese filling adds protein and a creamy texture that makes each slice satisfying.

Time Taken

You don’t need all day to make this elegant dessert. From preparing the sponge to rolling and chilling, it’s manageable even on a busy day.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: About 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with simple pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. From ripe bananas to cream cheese and cinnamon, every component works in harmony to create a dessert that’s rich, flavorful, and satisfying without being overly heavy.

• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 bananas)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar (for dusting towel and rolling)

For Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Grocery Shopping List

A quick grocery run is all you need to gather the essentials for this recipe. Bananas, cream cheese, and baking basics are the stars, making this dessert both accessible and affordable. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll create a cake that feels bakery-worthy.

• Ripe bananas
• Eggs
• Sugar (granulated + powdered)
• Vanilla extract
• Flour
• Baking powder & baking soda
• Cinnamon & salt
• Cream cheese
• Butter

How to Make Banana Cake Cream Cheese Roll

The process is straightforward and rewarding. You’ll bake a soft banana sponge, roll it while still warm to form the signature swirl, and then fill it with creamy frosting. Once chilled, each slice reveals a perfect spiral, making it as eye-catching as it is tasty.

1. Prepare the pan – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Make the batter – Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Stir in vanilla and mashed bananas. Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
3. Bake the sponge – Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake 12–15 minutes until springy to touch.
4. Roll while warm – Immediately turn cake onto a clean towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment and roll the cake (with the towel) from the short side. Let cool completely.
5. Prepare filling – Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble – Carefully unroll cooled cake, spread filling evenly, and roll back up without the towel.
7. Chill and serve – Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour before slicing into beautiful spirals.

Tips to Follow

Like all baked goods, a few small tricks can make a big difference. Rolling the cake while it’s warm prevents cracks, while using very ripe bananas intensifies the flavor. Paying attention to texture, sweetness, and chilling time ensures your roll comes out perfect every single time.

• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor.
• Roll the cake while warm to prevent cracks.
• Don’t overbake—the sponge should be soft and flexible.
• Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.

How to Serve

This cake roll looks stunning on any dessert table. Slice into even rounds and serve with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk. For special occasions, garnish slices with banana chips, caramel drizzle, or chopped walnuts for extra texture and presentation.

How to Store

Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cake roll (whole or sliced) for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Chef’s Special Tips

With just a little creativity, you can give this classic roll your own twist. Add nuts for crunch, caramel for indulgence, or even a touch of spice for warmth. Small adjustments turn this cake into a versatile dessert that you can reinvent for different occasions and preferences.

• Add crushed walnuts to the batter for a nutty crunch.
• Mix a little caramel sauce into the cream cheese filling for a Banoffee-inspired twist.
• Swap cinnamon with nutmeg or cardamom for a flavor variation.
• Slice with a serrated knife for clean, perfect spirals.

Conclusion

The Banana Cake Cream Cheese Roll is more than just dessert, it’s a beautiful centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks. Soft, creamy, and bursting with banana flavor, it’s the kind of treat that disappears quickly at gatherings. Try this recipe for your next family dessert or party, and enjoy the compliments that come with every slice.

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