Why You’ll Love This Decadent Dessert
If you’re a fan of chocolate and bananas, you’re in for a real treat with this Double Chocolate Banana Layer Cake. This delightful dessert combines the rich, chocolatey goodness of cocoa powder and dark chocolate with the sweet, creamy flavor of ripe bananas. It’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just because. Everyone will be asking for another slice!
Whipping Up the Double Chocolate Banana Cake
Making this cake is a breeze, even if you’re not an expert baker. With just a few simple steps, you can create a stunning dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup yogurt or sour cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water or hot coffee
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 100 g melted dark chocolate (cooled)
- 4–6 tablespoons milk
Directions
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Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, yogurt, oil, and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, mixing well. Gradually add in the hot water or coffee and then fold in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter equally between the cake pans and bake for 28-32 minutes. Once done, let the cakes cool completely.
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Make the Chocolate Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until it’s fluffy. Next, slowly add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix well before incorporating the melted dark chocolate and a splash of milk until it’s smooth and creamy.
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Assemble the Cake: Take one layer of the cooled cake and place it on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of chocolate cream on top. Gently place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate cream. For a finishing touch, sprinkle some chocolate chips or grated chocolate on top.
Serving Up the Sweetness
Enjoy this Double Chocolate Banana Layer Cake as a delightful dessert after dinner, or serve it at a special occasion. It pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence!
Keeping It Fresh
To store your cake, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Helpful Tips for Baking Success
- Make sure your bananas are fully ripe for maximum sweetness.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer flavor.
- Don’t skip the step of adding hot water or coffee; it helps the cocoa bloom and enhances the chocolate taste.
- Feel free to add more chocolate chips if you want an extra chocolatey cake!
A Creative Spin
If you’re looking to switch things up, try adding nuts for some crunch or experiment with different frostings, like a cream cheese frosting or peanut butter frosting for a fun twist.
Nutritional Information
This will depend on portion size and specific ingredients used, but a typical slice may contain:
- Calories: ~350
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
Perfect Pairings for Sharing
This cake goes great with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. It’s also fantastic alongside fresh, sliced strawberries or raspberries for a refreshing contrast.
Common Questions About This Recipe
Q: Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
A: Yes! Just make sure to thaw them and drain out excess moisture before mashing.
Q: Can I substitute any ingredients?
A: You can swap out the yogurt for applesauce or use almond milk in place of regular milk for a dairy-free option.
Q: How can I make this cake gluten-free?
A: Simply replace the flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that your other ingredients are also gluten-free.
What are you waiting for? Grab those ripe bananas and get baking! Your taste buds will thank you.
Double Chocolate Banana Layer Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1.75 cups 1 3/4 cups flour
- 0.75 cups 3/4 cup cocoa powder Use high-quality cocoa powder for richer flavor.
- 1.5 teaspoons 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large 3 large ripe bananas (mashed) Make sure bananas are fully ripe for maximum sweetness.
- 1 cup 1 cup sugar
- 0.5 cups 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cups 1/2 cup milk Can substitute with almond milk for a dairy-free option.
- 0.5 cups 1/2 cup yogurt or sour cream Can be swapped out for applesauce.
- 0.5 cups 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cups 1/2 cup hot water or hot coffee Helps the cocoa bloom and enhances the chocolate taste.
- 1 cup 1 cup chocolate chips Feel free to add more for extra chocolatey flavor.
Chocolate Cream Ingredients
- 200 g 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 2.5 cups 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 0.75 cups 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 100 g 100 g melted dark chocolate (cooled)
- 4-6 tablespoons 4–6 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, yogurt, oil, and vanilla.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, mixing well.
- Gradually add in the hot water or coffee and then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the batter equally between the cake pans and bake for 28-32 minutes.
- Once done, let the cakes cool completely.
Make the Chocolate Cream
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until it’s fluffy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing well.
- Incorporate the melted dark chocolate and a splash of milk until it’s smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Cake
- Take one layer of the cooled cake and place it on a serving plate.
- Spread a generous amount of chocolate cream on top.
- Gently place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate cream.
- For a finishing touch, sprinkle some chocolate chips or grated chocolate on top.
