Light & Fluffy Banana Walnut Cake – An Easy Recipe for Thanksgiving
- Lauren Alonso

- Nov 13, 2024
- 4 min read


This Banana Walnut Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion, and it’s especially perfect for Thanksgiving! Quick to make in under 40 minutes, this cake comes out light, moist, and filled with rich banana flavor and crunchy walnuts. Topped with a smooth and cream cheese buttercream frosting, it’s a simple Southern dessert with a twist that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds and thirds- haha. Whether you're making it for a cozy family dinner or a holiday feast, this cake will add a delightful, comforting finish to any meal.
Cake Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (reserve 1/8 cup finally crushed for crumble topping)
Frosting Ingredients:
2 oz cream cheese
1/8 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 TBSP heavy cream
\
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9” round pans.
In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt and stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana and nuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 18-25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Meanwhile, mix all ingredients for frosting until whipped to desired texture.
Allow layers to cool completely before frosting with the buttercream cheese frosting. Top with remaining walnut crumble.

And... in case you missed it... we just launched our first ever virtual cookbook.
The Living Cookbook
A Virtual Recipe Collection
From my table to yours — recipes for gathering, comfort, and joy.
What if mealtime wasn’t just another box to check?
What if it became the anchor of your day — a moment to slow down, gather close, and savor something that warms your heart as much as your home?
That’s exactly why I created The Living Cookbook — a growing digital collection of tried-and-true, family-loved recipes for every season of life.
🥄 What Makes It “Living”?
Unlike a printed cookbook that sits on a shelf gathering dust, this one grows with you.
👩🍳 New recipes added monthly — so you’re never stuck in a dinner rut📝 Virtual format — view it anywhere, anytime👨👩👦👦 Family-tested favorites — approved by real moms and hungry kids📅 Seasonal dishes — perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, and every night in between
Whether you’re meal planning for a busy week, prepping for a family get-together, or just trying to get dinner on the table without a meltdown — this cookbook has you covered.
💡 Perfect For:
Moms who want less stress and more joy in the kitchen
Families who value gathering around the table
Anyone craving comfort food with purpose
People who love simple, southern-inspired meals made from pantry staples
📚 What’s Inside:
✔️ Slow Cooker Staples✔️ Holiday Traditions✔️ 30-Minute Weeknight Meals✔️ Crowd-Pleasing Dishes✔️ Homemade Breads + Treats✔️ Family Favorites✔️ And so much more...
And since this is a living collection, you’ll always have something fresh and seasonal to look forward to.
----
I created this to inspire you, equip you, and empower you to create moments of connection and comfort — no matter the season.
Peek Inside:
Here are some of the recipes you'll find inside-
Berry Compote
Rum Peach French Toast
Sausage Breakfast Gravy
Cinnamon Sugar Bread
Apple Walnut Bread
Apple Fritter Donuts
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Creamy Tuna Casserole
Crack Chicken Soup
Chicken Parm
Homemade Marinara
Nashville Hot Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Simply Seasoned Roasted Chicken
Roasted Chicken Ciabatta Melt
Thyme Lemon Roasted Chicken
Mexican Salsa
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Cranberry Cream Cheese Ball
Sloppy Joes
Fall off the Bone Pork Ribs
Perfect Tempura
Panko Crusted Chicken Bites
Chicken Tostadas
Bang Bang Chicken
Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie
Cajun Shrimp Carbonara
Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Greek Pasta SaladBaked Beans
Chili Dogs
Whipped Cream
Lemon Blueberry Bars
No Bake Eclair
Chocolate Ganache
Pecan Pie
Peach Cobbler
Banana Walnut Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Molasses Cookies
Oatmeal Crème Pies
Love Bugs
Please note: Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. This is a pre-launch offer, and the price reflects the ongoing additions and updates.
Ready to Make Meal Planning Easier?
Grab your copy here of my virtual cookbook today and start enjoying simple, southern recipes that your whole family will love.

Thank you for sharing a few moments of your day with me.
I hope you leave here feeling a little lighter, a little more inspired, and reminded that joy is always worth making room for. Whether we’re swapping recipes, chatting about motherhood, or dreaming up ways to make our homes more peaceful, I’m so grateful to be walking this journey with you.
If today’s post encouraged you, here are a few ways we can keep the conversation going:
📬 Get my blog updates — never miss a new post, recipe, or seasonal idea.
🌿 Join the Joyful Life Community — a free space for connection, encouragement, and practical tips for every season.
📸 Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for behind-the-scenes life, daily inspiration, and my latest projects.
📌 Find me on Pinterest for endless homemaking, seasonal, and family activity ideas.
🎙 Listen to the Podcast or 🎥 watch on YouTube for deeper conversations and stories we can share together.
💛 Shop my favorite finds & discounts — from home essentials to seasonal must-haves, I’ve gathered them in one place for you (some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my family and this space!).
No matter where we meet next, I’ll be there with a cup of coffee in hand and a heart full of joy for the season you’re in.
With Joy and gratitude,







Comments