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Slice of chocolate banana cake topped with chocolate shavings and sliced banana
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Chocolate Banana Cake

The perfect combination of sweet bananas and lots of chocolate! This Chocolate Banana cake bakes up moist and tender and it's topped with a creamy chocolate frosting.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 495kcal

Ingredients

Cake:

  • cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • cup granulted sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup mashed overripe banana
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • cup milk or buttermilk

Frosting (see note):

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • chocolate shavings and/or sliced banana optional topping

Instructions

Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center of the oven,
  • Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and combined. Add mashed banana, eggs, and vanilla beating until well combined and scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add half of the flour mixture, beating until combined, add milk then remaining flour beating well between each addition and scarping the sides and bottom of the bowl and beater.
  • Transfer the batter into a greased 9x9 square baking pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 23-27 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

  • Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add half the powdered sugar and all the cocoa powder. Beat in vanilla and half the milk followed by remaining powdered sugar. Add as much more milk as you need to get your desired consistency. Turn speed up to medium-high and beat for 30 seconds. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake.

Notes

Frosting: This makes enough frosting to add a thick layer on top of the cake (as pictured). If you'd prefer a thinner layer of frosting you can cut the frosting recipe in half. 

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 777IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg