Double Chocolate Banana Cake has no oil but is super moist from the applesauce with the perfect texture. Fudgy with just the right amount of banana flavor.
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Cakes like this are perfect for crushing that sweet tooth without overindulging. It's simple enough to whip up when unexpected company is on the way, yet is still one of those easy cake recipes that's fancy enough to be a birthday cake.
This Chocolate Banana Cake recipe isn't too decadent or too sweet, making it still an ideal dessert for those who may not love chocolate. But if you're a chocolate lover, you should try my Chocolate Zucchini Bread or my Chocolate Peanut Butter Bread Pudding Cookies.
Why this cake recipe works
Just like many banana bread recipes out there, this is a great recipe to make when you need to use any extra ripe or overripe bananas before they start to go bad. It's a relatively fast dessert that comes together from start to finish in about 40 minutes.
This dessert is delicious as it is, no need to add any frosting or icing, but I do suggest to serve each slice with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert.
Ingredients
- Bananas: Large ripe bananas
- Sugars: Brown sugar and can use optional powdered sugar
- Applesauce: I used unsweetened, sweetened applesauce can also be used it will just make the cake a bit sweeter.
- Vanilla extract:
- Egg:
- All Purpose Flour: I have only tested this cake using all purpose flour.
- Baking soda & Salt
- Cocoa powder: I like to use Special Dark unsweetened cocoa, but regular can be used.
- Chocolate chips: I used semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, but you can trade these out for other sizes and varieties. You could also use finely chopped chocolate
How To Make This Banana Cake
- Step 1: Add bananas to a mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add brown sugar to mashed banana and whisk together before adding applesauce, egg, and vanilla.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, add the rest of the dry ingredients- flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda and mix well.
- Step 3: Carefully add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Step 4: Fold chocolate chips into the cake batter. Pour the batter into a baking pan and bake.
Best Cake Tips
- For cutting, be sure to let the cake cool completely before slicing to enjoy nice clean slices. Use a sharp knife and wipe the blade in between cuts to get nice beautiful, presentable slices of cake.
- Any leftovers of this perfect dessert can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
I used an 8x8-inch baking pan for this decadent dessert. You may need to adjust the baking time depending on your pan of choice. If using a bundt pan or a 9x13-inch baking pan, you may want to double the cake batter recipe. Additionally, you could also use a loaf pan and make a chocolate banana loaf cake.
You don't need anything on top of the cake, but I like to sprinkle with powdered sugar. You could also serve with ice cream sliced up fresh bananas or other fruit slices, or with your choice of frosting. I think a chocolate, vanilla, or peanut butter cream cheese frosting would work nicely. Try adding sprinkles, a dollop of whipped cream or creamy chocolate ganache
.
You can speed up the ripening of bananas by placing them in a brown paper bag for a day or two. On the other hand, if you have super ripe bananas that you aren't ready to use place them in a ziplock freezer bag and freeze them until you are ready to bake.
More Banana Recipes
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Double Chocolate Banana Cake
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips plus 2 tablespoons I use semi sweet
- Powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 baking pan with non stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl add bananas and mash, then add brown sugar and whisk until smooth. Add applesauce, egg and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
- In another medium bowl mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into pan, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chocolate chips.
- Bake 25-30 minutes. Check center with a toothpick to determine doneness.
- Cool slightly, and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving if desired
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