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Banana Pudding Cake (5-Ingredients)

This extra moist banana pudding cake boasts giant banana flavor and a tender crumb. Unbelievably easy, a crowd-pleaser, and fail proof. You’ll only need 5 ingredients.

Banana Pudding Cake Slices
Super moist banana bundt cake is amazing all on its own.

The Easiest Banana Cake

If you subscribe to my recipe newsletters or poke around here a bit, you know that I almost always bake recipes from scratch. To every rule, there are exceptions.

It’s Cheaty McCheaty time; I’m throwing down a banana cake that calls for Betty C. Rest assured, I’m first and foremost a from-scratch girl.  But this banana pudding cake begs to be given a special pass.

This is one of those classics in my multi-binder recipe collection that’s been loved on ever since an old friend gave it to me. I can’t count the times people have tasted and requested the recipe.

This extra-moist banana bundt cake is beyond easy and is so wonderful that it needs no frosting, drizzling, or icing of any kind.

Banana Pudding Cake in Bundt Pan
Just 5 ingredients in this banana bundt cake.

Luscious Banana Cake with just 5 ingredients

When I have zero free time and need a crowd-pleasing cake in a jiffy, this easy banana cake is one of my go-to’s. It’s perfect for breakfast/brunch with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. It’s is also magnificent for dessert, alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. When and how you do this thing is completely up to you.

Simply grab these 5 items to make perfectly moist banana bundt cake:

  • The best banana cake starts with the best bananas: use 2 extra-ripe bananas, roughly mashed. The more brown spots, the better. If you prefer zero bits of banana chunks in your cake, go ahead and mash them thoroughly. We prefer them roughly mashed, for tiny bits of banana chunks in finished cake.
  • 1 box yellow cake mix — the brand does matter in this particular banana cake. I’ve had the most consistent and best results using Betty Crocker Super Moist.
  • 1 (4-serving size) package Jello banana cream instant pudding powder. Be sure you’re grabbing the instant kind.
  • Fresh eggs, lightly beaten
  • For ultimate moistness and tenderness, we opt for olive oil instead of butter. We promise your banana pudding cake won’t taste like olives.
Banana Bundt Cake
This Banana Pudding Cake is SO good, it needs no frosting

Pro Tips for your Best Banana Cake

  • Use a nonstick bundt pan. It’s easy, fuss-free, and fail-proof. Let the cake cool in the pan at room temperature for clean removal.
  • Speaking of which, do let the cake fully cool before slicing into it. My best results have come from allowing the baked cake to cool overnight on the counter. It’ll remove much more easily from pan the next morning, and the texture is amazing.
  • The more ripe your bananas are, the better your cake will taste.
  • Don’t bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out totally clean, as that sometimes leads to over-baking. Once your toothpick comes out with a few tiny tender crumbs still attached, your cake is done.
  • Dress it up or keep it simple.  I typically forgo any icing on this one, because this banana pudding cake is 100% yum without any bling.

If you wish, you can certainly drizzle the cake with your favorite icing.

I find that simply slicing the banana cake and serving it alongside some fresh fruit – perhaps stabilized whipped cream – is just divine and absolutely satisfying.

Banana Pudding Cake Slices
Banana pudding cake keeps fresh for days.
Banana Pudding Cake Slices

Banana Pudding Cake

4.50 from 69 ratings
This Banana Pudding Cake is dreamy and luscious! It’s extremely moist, tender, and boasts huge banana flavor. This cake is perfect for brunch and dessert alike. It’s delish without any icing, but feel free to add your own if you wish!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 2 bananas, medium size, very ripe, roughly mashed
  • 1 box yellow cake mix, Betty Crocker Super Moist turns out best
  • 1 4-serving size package Jello banana cream instant pudding powder
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower-middle position. Grease and flour a bundt pan and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine cake mix and instant pudding powder. Whisk to loosen any lumps. Add eggs, water, and oil. Whisk just until incorporated. Using rubber spatula, fold in bananas just until combined; don’t over-mix.
  • Pour into prepared bundt pan, lightly shaking to even out the batter.
  • Bake 35-45 minutes, or just until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few tender crumbs attached. Don’t over bake.
  • Cool completely in pan on rack. Once cool, use very thin knife to separate cake from pan edges, if needed. Invert and remove cake.

Notes

This banana pudding cake is so fantastic on its own that it needs no frosting or icing. We love it as-is. That said, if you really want to ice it, here are quick and simple options: Mix 1 TB warm milk + 1 cup powdered sugar until it’s the consistency of thick icing. Transfer into a small Ziploc baggie and cut a tiny hole in the corner; drizzle over cooled cake.
Or, top with powdered sugar, sliced bananas, whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh fruit. 
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.8g | Protein: 4.1g | Fat: 6.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 147mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 22.3g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Method: Bake

Did you make this?

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Add a comment

Recipe Rating




176 comments

    • Marcy

    Made using my Pampered Chef mini Bundt pan. Made 9 little cakes. Baked for 18 minutes at 350°. Turned out perfect!

    • Cheryl Bravyak
    • 5 stars

    Excellent cake! Not too sweet and very moist! Will make this again & again!
    One add…my yellow cake mix was out of date and you can use it. I added a 1/2 tsp of baking soda to the dry cake mix just to be sure it would rise! Then added the pudding mix and wet ingredients.

    • Granny E
    • 5 stars

    This recipe is a keeper! My family loved it! I did make one small addition by adding a tablespoon of cinnamon to the batter. I will definitely be making this again.

    • Renee

    Can you use the sugar free jello instant banana pudding mix in this cake?

      • Amy Dong

      Yes, you can, though the flavor will probably be a bit different than the original. Enjoy, Renee!

    • Arlene
    • 5 stars

    Best cake ever

    • Naun
    • 5 stars

    Made this last night but used vegetable oil by mistake. Cake came out delicious anyway. Gave half to my neighbors. The teenaged dsighter said it was sooooo good.
    Just one question. How long does it stay good on counter covered?

      • Amy Dong

      At moderate room temperature, it can keep 2-3 days on counter. SO happy you all enjoyed this!

    • Marlena

    Looks good and easy ! Quick question, can I just bake this cake in a square pan opposed to a bundt pan? Thanks!

      • Amy Dong

      Yes, you can bake in square pan, but adjust baking time (you’ll probably want less time.)

    • Marlene
    • 5 stars

    Amy, I’ve made this cake twice already & it’s the bomb! So easy to make, tastes very banana-ey (made up word) & very moist. I took it to a church function & also made it for a friend’s bachelor weekend & was very well appreciated. This is my “go to” when I need something fast & delicious & I get great compliments on it. Thank you for sharing!

      • Amy Dong

      Aww, that is so great, Marlene! Thank you 🙂

    • Sandy

    Can I use the cook and serve Pudding mix for the Banana bundt cake??

      • Amy Dong

      We recommend staying with instant pudding powder for best results.

    • Gee Gee
    • 4 stars

    Easy and good. Made a nice bundt cake. Thanks!!

      • Amy Dong

      So glad you enjoyed this!

    • Janet

    Has anyone tried making this with coconut oil?

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