Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Cake Recipe (2024)

By Chloe Coscarelli

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Cake Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
5(872)
Notes
Read community notes

This vegan delight came to The New York Times by way of Chloe Coscarelli, the vegan chef and cookbook author. The tender loaf is gently spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger and dotted throughout with dairy-free chocolate chips. Bonus: It's versatile. You can make it in a Bundt pan, a 10-inch loaf pan or in a muffin tin (it makes about 18 muffins). To quote one happy reader: "Delicious! Like my platonic ideal of chocolate-chip banana bread." High praise, indeed.

Featured in: Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving 2012

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Ingredients

Yield:1 bundt or 5- by 10-inch loaf

  • 2cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon xanthan gum)
  • 1cup sugar
  • 1teaspoon baking powder
  • ½teaspoon baking soda
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • ½teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1cup mashed bananas (approximately 2 very ripe bananas, mashed on a plate using the back of a fork)
  • 1cup canned coconut milk, mixed well before measuring
  • ½cup canola oil
  • 2teaspoons white or apple cider vinegar
  • 1tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • cups semisweet chocolate chips (dairy free)
  • Powdered sugar for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a Bundt pan or a 5- by 10-inch loaf pan.

  2. Step

    2

    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. In a separate bowl, whisk together bananas, coconut milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and whisk until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips; do not over-mix.

  3. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes in a Bundt pan or 50 to 60 minutes in a loaf pan until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs clinging to it. Check the cake often and if it gets too brown on top, cover with foil and continue to bake. Rotate the pan halfway through baking time. Let cool, then sift powdered sugar over top.

Ratings

5

out of 5

872

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Ellen

I've made this a few times for vegan family members and they loved it. Now I've adapted it to apple bread for fall because I couldn't find another vegan recipe that looked good. I replace bananas with homemade applesauce, add two chopped apples, increase the spices, and omit the chocolate chips. I also made a little streusel topping (2 T each flour and brown sugar and 1 T Earth Balance)

Sherri

I made 18 muffins instead of bread and cooked for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. They came out perfect and delicious.

Lilia

Possibly the best banana bread I've ever made. I accidentally used two tablespoons of white vinegar and it was fine - my roomie said she liked the sharpness. I also used 2 1/2 bananas because mine were too small, added a little extra vanilla, and baked for maybe an hour and 15. I used light coconut milk because that's what I had and it was still incredibly moist and delicious. 10/10

E

This is a very good and easy banana bread recipe. I made a few modifications that seems to work very well. First, I added just a tablespoon of canola oil, next time I will omit entirely, there was plenty of moisture. Second, I made these into muffins, and they were delicious, baked for about 35 minutes at 350. I'm not sure I would make this as a loaf, I think it would be hard to get an even bake on such a wet dough.

Anne

Tasty and moist! Recommend to cut the oil and sugar in half. Results are still delicious.

Cait

Delicious! Like my platonic ideal of chocolate-chip banana bread.

Like many people here, I made muffins instead of a loaf--I got 2 dozen small muffins and baked for just over 20 minutes. I also used whole milk instead of coconut milk.

Robin Liz

Wonderful recipe. I make on a regular basis. I cut back on oil (just slightly) as suggested and I use 50% whole wheat flour/50% white cause in my mind I am eating something healthy. HaHa. Delicious. I make a loaf and cook about an hour. Although I worry about getting it out of the pan, it always comes out fine.

Sydney

Cut the recipe in half as it was just for me and my partner.Subbed oat milk + 1 tablespoon flax seeds in place of coconut milk.Omitted chocolate chips and topped with vegan cream cheese icing instead (whipped together 4 oz vegan cream cheese (follow your heart), 4 oz vegan butter (earth balance), 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 cups powdered sugar)

Iris

Made this with pureed sweet potatoe instead of bananas, left out chocolate chips and used only 3/4 cup of (brown) sugar. Excellent!

Robin Liz

Made this with 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 white/all purpose (so I can think it is healthy), and based on some reviews I also used half the canola oil. I have four tins that fit this cake perfectly so I don't worry about it turning out under-done. It is yum and a great way to use up old bananas.

eliza

This is a great hit in my household. I make it with one-to-one gluten free flour, HALF the sugar(!), half the oil, and sprinkle a little white sugar on top before baking. I’ve used regular milk when I didn’t have coconut milk available.

Ann

Make this cake all the time and everyone raves! Always add extra bananas and always use a Bundt pan.

CarolB

Delicious, easy cake. Made with ATK gluten free flour. It was moist and wonderful.

Ann

Make this cake all the time and everyone raves! Always add extra bananas and always use a Bundt pan.

PM

Make this cake frequently and everyone raves. Always add extra bananas and bake Iin a Bundt pan!

nv

Came out a bit dense/mushy especially on the bottom of the pan for me; it was thoroughly cooked but close-textured. Took 75min total. Maybe could use some extra leavening or some air whipped into the coconut cream? Not sure why it was on the soggy side, maybe too much oil as others have noted? Ratio of wet to dry ingredients too high? Also the cake didn’t have much banana flavor. Maybe will try increasing banana by half cup, decrease coconut by half cup to get the banana flavor to come through.

maria

Made in Bundt pan - delicious!

m

really lovely recipe, didn't realize how much better banana bread could taste with the added spicesquick tip, the spices are just 'pumpkin spices', if you're like me and end up with too many packets of this throughout the year, just use them in this recipe

Susan

Absolutely divine. I subbed out the oil for butter. Cut out the choco chips and added crushed walnuts and dates. Used oatmeal and half the flour. Molasses, brown sugar, and increased the coconut milk after replacing with whole goat milk. And omitted the bananas. Made about 2 dozen cookies. Yummmm

Melissa

I've made several vegan cakes for my vegan son, and most are noticeably "different" in texture. This recipe was amazing, so tasty and unusual, with the cinnamon, cloves, and ginger we always make regardless of who's around. I'm currently trying it in a bundt cake pan for his birthday. I'm hoping it holds together better, or I'd cook the bread slightly longer or once I let it sit (back in the pan), it was much better. Dense, moist, tasty, and delicious!

Laura Nak

Excellent cake. Moist and delicious. Made it in a non-stick bundt pan.

Jessie

Used 3 medium bananas bc they all needed to go. Added some cardamom. Smell was amazing as it baked. Was expecting it to be a bit more moist. Might try again with nuts and no chocolate. No issues sticking with using parchment paper and buttering the pan.

rose cedars

This is quite different from banana cake recipes with eggs, but delicious in its own way. I'm glad to have this recipe to use for vegan family members and friends. I will use it often. For me it is too heavy on the chocolate, but that is a matter of taste. I will add less chocolate next time I make it. I also plan to go the traditional route of adding in toasted chopped nuts (I'd use pecans) rather than chocolate.

Julia P.

I have all of Chef Chloe’s cookbooks and every recipe is spectacular. This recipe is no exception — delicious!

Kate - Bundt Tips

Bundt pans have lots of nooks and crannies so they have to be greased and floured well. After baking, let cool for 10 or so minutes then take a thin knife or wooden skewer and slide between the cake and the pan- including around the tube. Place a cooling rack over the cake, flip then slowly lift off the pan. I generally have good luck with this method.

kate

Wonderful flavor. How long do folks let it cool in the bundt pan before flipping it out? Just sadly broke the whole thing in half...

Mia

Vegan child and non-vegan bf LOVED thisI halved the sugar, omitted the spices except for the cinnamon, and used 3/4 chocolate chips. So yummy!

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you put too much banana in banana cake? ›

You Use Too Much Banana

Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Why is my banana cake not moist? ›

If you use a yellow (or even worse a green) banana in your cake not only will it not have as much flavour it will be significantly drier. It's important to make sure your bananas are well mashed. If they aren't broken down well enough less moisture is released from the fruit, effecting the texture of your cake.

Can bananas be too ripe for banana bread? ›

If they smell off, that's another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use. Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten.

What happens if you add an extra egg to banana bread? ›

Adding more eggs makes for a spongy, less flavorful banana bread. Doubling the number of eggs I was using resulted in a spongy cake with a moist texture. While the banana flavor was present, it wasn't as prominent as it was in other loaves. This had more of a hint of flavor.

How many bananas to replace 3 eggs in cake? ›

Banana. Use ripe bananas to add moisture. One mashed banana can replace one egg in cakes and pancakes.

What is the secret to baking a moist cake? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

Not to mention oil is cheaper and easier to work with. Butter will always provide superior flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. In many recipes, combining the two gives the best of both worlds. That's what I landed on for my Red Velvet Cake recipe!

Why is my banana cake raw in the middle? ›

You may be baking at too high a temperature. Home ovens are often not accurate. Try lowering the temperature by 25°F, and bake for a slightly longer time. If you are using a dark colored pan like many non-stick pans it will cause the outside to brown more quickly while the inside stays raw.

Can dogs eat bananas? ›

Bananas are safe for dogs, but moderation is key. Bananas are high in sugar, so too much of it can put your dog at risk of developing medical conditions. You should give your dog only a few thin slices of banana once in a while. At least 90% of your dog's food should be regular dog food.

Why did my bananas turn grey? ›

Chilling injury. transfer to higher temperatures: fruits can turn black, have an off-taste and are very sensitive to handling damage. Grey colouration of banana resulting from high desiccation.

Can I eat a black banana? ›

The Takeaway. Completely black bananas are likely safe to consume as long as there is no visible mold, a rotten smell, or the fruit inside is black. If none of these are true and your bananas are simply black, your best bet is to cook with them rather than eat them raw.

Can you microwave bananas to ripen them? ›

The microwave can soften a too-hard banana, but it doesn't accelerate the ripening process—the conversion from starches to sugars—the way an oven does because an oven uses consistent, dry heat. Microwaves heat bananas too fast for ripening to take place.

What fruit can replace banana? ›

Mango is one of the most common substitutes for bananas in smoothies. It has a pretty mild flavor. Because it's not as juicy as most fruits, mango is great at creating a creamy texture. Use about 1 cup of frozen mango to replace 1 banana.

What ingredient does banana replace? ›

One ripe banana replaces one egg in a cake recipe—the banana will flavor the cake, so only use them when they complement the other ingredients. Extra leavening may be needed. Bananas can also be a substitute for butter and oil in recipes. If using bananas for butter, replace in equal amounts.

How do bananas affect baking? ›

One ripe banana replaces one egg in a cake recipe—the banana will flavor the cake, so only use them when they complement the other ingredients. Extra leavening may be needed. Bananas can also be a substitute for butter and oil in recipes. If using bananas for butter, replace in equal amounts.

Can bananas be too overripe for baking? ›

Bananas can go from yellow with brown spots to totally black and still be okay to eat and use for baking. In fact, black bananas are some of the best for making banana bread because they have developed more sugar as they sit around and therefore taste sweeter. They may also be moister, which is perfect for baked goods.

Why is my banana cake watery? ›

Not measuring the flour correctly

If you use too much flour, you'll end up with really dry banana bread, and If you don't use enough flour, your banana bread will be way too wet. The secret lies in how you measure the flour.

How to tell if bananas are too bad for banana bread? ›

Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye. If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

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