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Banana Nutella Cake

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Featuring super easy banana cake layers and super creamy Nutella buttercream, this banana Nutella cake is one delicious dessert!

banana Nutella cake on a cake stand with two slices taken out

banana Nutella cake pinterest image with text overlay

It’s been awhile since I posted anything with Nutella and for that I apologize. It’s just that every time I buy Nutella I end up eating it before I can actually bake it into anything. . .#truelife

Fortunately for all of us though, I was able to resist my most recent jar long enough to whip up this banana Nutella cake.

Soft (and super easy) banana cake layers slathered in Nutella buttercream—who could possibly resist a slice or two (or five?

Why you’ll love this banana Nutella cake:

  • You don’t need a stand mixer to make it!
  • The base of the cake layers is a box mix so it’s really easy
  • It freezes well so you can always have cake on hand!

What is Nutella? 

In case you’re unfamiliar, let me tell you: it’s chocolate hazelnut spread, similar to peanut butter. And it’s AMAZING.

There are plenty of generic brands of Nutella out there and you can totally swap in one of those for the regular Nutella this recipe calls for. It’s all basically the same stuff.

How to Make Banana Nutella Cake

We start with the super easy banana cake layers. If you’ve never made banana cake with a box mix then you’re in for a treat—it’s AWESOME! (If you’re a cake mix lover like I am.)
how to make easy banana cake step by step

  • Combine yellow cake mix and a few other ingredients in a mixing bowl
  • Beat until smooth
  • Add mashed banana
  • Beat again to incorporate

Then divide the batter between two 8-inch cake pans and bake for about 45 minutes. Cool completely before frosting your cake—if your cake layers are still hot your frosting will melt and you don’t want that!

Note: be sure your cake pans are at least 2 inches tall because the cake layers rise quite a bit.

How to Make Nutella Buttercream

This Nutella frosting is SUPER easy to make and it’s so good. I wouldn’t blame you if you made a little extra to eat as a snack. . .is that something only I do?
how to make Nutella buttercream

  • Beat room temperature butter until smooth
  • Beat in Nutella
  • Beat in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and salt

In the recipe I say to add a little Frangelico, which is a hazelnut liqueur. That’s totally optional; you can add vanilla instead. I just happen to have a bottle of it and like the additional kick of hazelnut.

How to Assemble Your Cake

This is an easy cake to frost because the cake layers are fairly sturdy and there aren’t any fillings or anything to worry about.
how to assemble banana Nutella cake

  • Set one cake layer on a cake stand or a cardboard cake circle
  • Spread a thick layer of Nutella frosting over the cake
  • Top with the second cake layer and frost the cake

And that’s it! Then you’re ready to slice and serve!

How to store your banana Nutella cake

You can store the uneaten cake (covered) at room temp for a couple of days.

You can also freeze uneaten cake! Slice your cake, set the slices on a baking sheet, and freeze for about half an hour to set the frosting.

Then you can wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap/freezer paper/whatever is your preferred wrapping for frozen goods. The cake will last that way for about 3 months.

Notes

You can substitute white cake mix for yellow if that’s what you have; just keep in mind that the color will be different than mine.

If you want an extra little kick of Nutella, you can spread a layer of Nutella under the buttercream in between the cake layers. (I totally recommend this.)

I pressed some chocolate jimmies into the sides of my cake, just around the bottom to dress it up a bit. Chopped hazelnuts would be a fun garnish too!

I used this open star tip to decorate the top of the cake.

A few more recipes using Nutella
Nutella Cookie Bars
Chocolate Nutella Cake
Nutella Cupcakes
Coconut Nutella Cake

slice of banana Nutella cake on a plate with a fork taking a bite out of it
Did you make this banana Nutella cake? Awesome! Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. And post a pic on Insta too! Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your beautiful creations!

5 from 14 votes
banana Nutella cake on a cake stand with two slices taken out
Print
Banana Nutella Cake
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
42 mins
Total Time
1 hr 12 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: Kelsie
Ingredients
Banana cake layers
  • 1 (15.25-ouncbox yellow cake mix*
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (3.4-ouncbox instant vanilla pudding
  • 3 large very ripe bananas about 9 to 10 ounces peeled banana, mashed
Nutella frosting
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 1 tablespoon Frangelico OR 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 to 6 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
Instructions
Banana cake layers
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, line the bottoms of the pan with parchment, and set pans aside.
  2. Combine the cake mix, milk, oil, eggs, baking soda, salt, and pudding mix in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set to medium until well combined, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the mashed banana and beat again to combine.
  4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake 42 to 48 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake layers comes out clean.
  5. Cool cake layers in the pans for 20 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Nutella frosting
  1. Beat butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the Nutella, Frangelico (or vanilla), and salt and beat for 30 seconds more. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  2. Add 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, the cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons of milk and mix on low just to combine.
  3. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix on medium until frosting is smooth. Adjust to desired consistency by adding milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
  4. Set 1 cooled cake layer on a cake stand or cardboard cake circle and spread frosting over the top. Top with the second cake layer, then frost with the remaining frosting. Serve.
  5. Uneaten cake can be stored loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer (tightly wrappefor up to 3 months.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes
  • *I used Betty Crocker
  • Be sure your cake pans are at least 2 inches tall because the cake rises quite a bit.
  • For a little extra Nutella flavor, spread plain Nutella between the cake layers under the buttercream.

Comments

  5. Catherine says

    5 stars
    This looks and sounds so incredible–love, love that you paired Nutella with banana!! I would have to serve this directly after making it or else I would eat the whole thing myself!

    Reply

  6. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    Nutella really is a dangerous ingredient, isn’t it? Hard to resist eating it by the spoonful and saying heck with using it in a dish! Anyway, glad you resisted the temptation and made us this — thanks for such a terrific looking recipe. 🙂

    Reply

  8. David @ Spiced says

    5 stars
    I for one was in absolute withdrawal over the lack of Nutella dessert options here on the blog, Kelsie. But fortunately you came through for me with this cake! 🙂 Seriously, though, this cake looks insanely good. From the ingredients (Nutella + banana!) to the creamy frosting to the way you decorated it, I’ve gotta say you nailed it! If you need help eating it, then I’m happy to oblige.

    Reply

  9. Shashi at SavorySpin says

    5 stars
    I adore Nutella and don’t keep it in the house cos I’m helpless with it around – so, with that in mind, I’m just gonna say – no need to assemble this cake – just leave me a large spoon with that bowl of Nutella frosting for about 5 minutes and you might ahve to make another batch to frost that banana cake with! Delicious combination od banana layers and Nutella frosting – Nutella on a banana is one of my fav snacks – it’s my idea of balance 🙂

    Reply

  11. Laura says

    5 stars
    You definitely had me at “Nutella” but yousealed the deal with “banana cake”. I love banana cake, although sometimes I call it banana “bread” to make it seem healthier. Anyway, love a simple to make cake with a luscious frosting like this! Thanks, Kelsie, also for the freezing secrets ☺️

    Reply

  16. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    5 stars
    My husband is a nutella lover so this stunning cake has his name written ALL over it!! I bet the banana and nutella combination tastes absolutely amazing! I have a feeling he won’t want to share this cake!!! Not that I’d blame him. 😉 Cheers, to a week as wonderful as this cake!

    Reply

  17. Milena says

    Soo good! I can relate to eating all the Nutella before you get a chance to use it in a recipe:) Love this frosting you whipped up for the banana layers!

    Reply

  18. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    5 stars
    Loves me so Nutella and paired with banana, it’s such a fabulous combo! Starting my Monday off with a big piece of this would definitely make me happy right about now! Have a good one, Kelsie 🙂

    Reply

  19. Leanne says

    5 stars
    You have some fabulous nutella dessert recipes Kelsie, and this one is equally as fabulous! The pairing of banana cake with nutella frosting is a great idea! I have bananas! Now I need to run out and buy some nutella!

    Reply

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