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(864)
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

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

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. 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. Step

    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

864

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

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)

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.

Iris

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

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!

Let Them Eat Cake

This honestly titled recipe is SO GOOD that it has caused mass delusion in the comments- all in denial that we are swapping out our boring every day banana bread recipes for a CAKE recipe. Of course this recipe is better - it has half a cup of oil, a full fat can of coconut milk, and a cup of sugar. I wish cake could be bread too, people! 5 star cake recipe though. Easy, moist, not too heavy. Took me 70 minutes in a loaf pan with the last 10 covered. Compliments to the author.

Wendy

This iS a go-to in my house. I make mini cupcakes and sprinkle with powdered sugar they fly off the plate and I’m the only vegan in the house!

Iris

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

Michael

ymmv but i found the choc chips to be a little excessive for my taste buds but loved the spice/ flavr otherwise. giving it 4 stars.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

What can you use instead of bananas in banana bread? ›

If you're set on a specific recipe that calls for the standard two or three mashed bananas, you can replace one or two of them with applesauce (½ cup equals 1 banana).

Are chocolate chips vegan? ›

Some types of chocolate chips are not vegan. For example, milk chocolate chips contain dairy milk products. White chocolate chips aren't considered vegan because they include ingredients such as milk powder. Semi-sweet chocolate chips can be vegan or non-vegan, so you must read the ingredients list to be sure.

Can you freeze banana bread? ›

Banana bread freezes really well. Once the loaf is fully cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap. Then, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil. This will ensure it's airtight and will keep the loaf from drying out and avoid freezer burn.

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

This means it's tempting to toss all your bananas into the mix when you're ready to bake, to avoid food waste. But if you add too much of the fruit into your batter, your bread could turn out mushy, heavy, and wet. So, it's a good idea to always stick to the recipe's instructions. But why is this such a problem?

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.

When not to use bananas for baking? ›

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. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids. When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.

How do I substitute an egg for a banana? ›

Banana. Use ripe bananas to add moisture. One mashed banana can replace one egg in cakes and pancakes. Since it will add a bit of flavor, make sure that it's compatible with the other ingredients of the recipe.

How much applesauce equals a banana? ›

Applesauce (store-bought or homemade) can substitute for a banana in baked goods. Replace one banana with 1/2 cup of applesauce, but don't use more than 1 cup of applesauce because the mixture will be too wet.

What chocolate is surprisingly vegan? ›

Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate

Lindt Excellence is pretty excellent chocolate (I always used to steal squares of it from the fridge when my mum wasn't looking) and it's pretty naturally vegan, too. The ingredients of these bars include cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla.

Why is butter not vegan? ›

Traditional butter is made with churned milk or cream, which usually comes from cows (but it can also come from other animals like goats), and that's why it's not vegan. Many people also use margarine, which is similar to butter in texture and color, but it's usually made with plant-based fat instead of animal fat.

Can you eat week old banana bread? ›

When stored properly, banana bread can last 2 to 3 days at room temperature. However, if you want to extend its lifespan, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. And if you really want to make it last even longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months!

Is it better to freeze bananas with or without peel? ›

You can freeze whole, peeled bananas in large plastic bags like smaller banana chunks. You can also freeze bananas whole in their peels, but this will only work if you want mashed bananas. After thawing and peeling a banana frozen in its peel, it will come out of the peel in an essentially mashed texture.

How do you moisten a dry banana cake? ›

When your banana bread appears dry after baking, place a coat of simple syrup on top to prevent it from going dry. You can use a simple syrup with half water and half can moisten, and it will be a dry sponge if a thin coating is added to it.

Why is my banana bread dry not moist? ›

When it comes to banana bread, moisture is key, and the ratio of flour to banana makes all the difference in getting the perfect banana bread consistency. 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.

Why is my banana cake too soft? ›

What to do if you've used too many bananas. If you must add an extra banana into your batter, there are ways to prevent the bread from turning mushy. Using a lot of bananas adds excess moisture, and there are two ways to get rid of it. You could either add more flour or increase the baking time.

How do you add moisture to a baked cake? ›

The most common cake soak is simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water cooked until the sugar is dissolved. This added bit of liquid and sweetness help make the cake more moist, and stay moist longer. Professional bakers also use a milk soak, which is milk or cream dabbed onto the cake.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5514

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.