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July 24, 2022 BASICS

The Best Chocolate Banana Cake with Silky Ganache (+VIDEO)

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I'm sharing how to make a perfectly moist chocolate banana cake with some very simple steps. Enjoy this amazing cake with silky chocolate ganache!

Jump to Recipe Video Print
3 chocolate banana cake slices with ganache
a slice of chocolate banana cake on a plate

🤎 I love this chocolate banana cake frosting because:

  • It's super moist.
  • It's rich yet soft and tender.
  • You can enjoy it in many shapes and sizes.
  • It's so quick and simple to make.
up-close of sliced chocolate banana cakes

In this post, you'll learn essential baking tips such as:

  • The difference between baking soda and baking powder
  • The reason why we add hot water to the chocolate cake
  • How to make the silky chocolate ganache
  • How to store the cake ...and so on!
sliced chocolate banana cakes
Jump to:
  • 📌 What's In Chocolate Banana Cake?
  • 📌 The Reasons We Use Hot Water To Make Chocolate Cake
  • 📌 Frequently Asked Questions
  • 📌 How To Make Chocolate Banana Cake
  • 📌 Tips For Moist Chocolate Banana Cake
  • 📌 VIDEO: Chocolate Banana Cake
  • 📌 The Printable Recipe
  • Perfectly Moist Chocolate Banana Cake

📌 What's In Chocolate Banana Cake?

Cake:

  • Banana
    • Use ripe bananas for the best result.
  • Egg
    • It helps to create a soft texture.
  • Oil
    • I used olive oil. You can also use any regular oils.
  • Vanilla extract
    • You can omit it or use a different extract instead.
  • Granulated sugar
    • It helps to create a moist & soft texture.
  • Salt
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
    • I like to use dark high quality cocoa powder.
  • Baking powder
    • Baking powder reacts to moisture and heat and helps to create a fluffier texture. It's often added more for white cakes, butter cakes, etc.
  • Baking soda
    • Baking soda reacts to acid (cocoa powder and vinegar for this sponge) and helps to create a fluffier cake with more volume. That is why it is often used for chocolate cake recipes.
  • Hot water
    • Use hot simmering water.

Ganache:

  • Dark chocolate
    • I used 58% Couverture chocolate. You can use your favorite chocolate.
  • Heavy Cream
  • Honey(Optional)
    • It helps to create a smooth ganache.
  • Toasted walnut for topping (Optional)

📍 The printable recipe is at the very end of this post.

Jump to Recipe

📌 The Reasons We Use Hot Water To Make Chocolate Cake

  • The flavor of chocolate gets enhanced more with the heat.
  • Gluten in flour gets strengthened a bit more with heat which creates nice bounciness.
  • The chocolate cake cooks up slightly more evenly.

For those reasons, it's common to use hot water for some types of chocolate cakes.

📌 Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store chocolate banana cake?

Wrap them tight so that they do not get dried and store them in a fridge if you are not using them during the day. Leave it at room temperature ahead if you want a little bit softer texture.

What's the shelf life of chocolate banana cake?

You can store it in a fridge for up to 5 days. But it tastes the best when it's just made!

Can I bake it as a sheet cake, round cake, or cupcakes instead?

Yes! You can bake in any type of baking pan for your specific desserts. Just adjust the time and temperature accordingly.

📌 How To Make Chocolate Banana Cake

The 8 simple steps:

  1. Mix all the dried ingredients.
  2. Mash bananas with a fork until it looks like an oatmeal breakfast meal.
  3. Mix all the wet ingredients.
  4. Add the dried ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.
  5. Add hot water and mix.
  6. Bake at 365F | 185C for about 40 minutes until the center cooks through.
  7. Make ganache(Optional). Add heavy cream to melted chocolate little by little and mix well each time. As an option, add honey and mix.
  8. Spread ganache on top, slice & enjoy!

Cake: Enough for 2 1.5 QT pans

8 steps to make chocolate banana cake

📍 The printable recipe is at the very end of this post.

Jump to Recipe

📌 Tips For Moist Chocolate Banana Cake

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven: to 365F | 185C
  • Coat a thin layer of butter inside the pans. This prevents cakes from sticking to the pans.
coating a thin layer of butter inside the pans to make chocolate banana cakes

Step 1: Mix all the dried ingredients.

First, add sugar and salt to a bowl.

Adding sugar and salt to make chocolate banana cakes

Sift in all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda just to make sure there are no lumps of flour.

sifting coco powder to make chocolate banana cakes
sifting all the dried ingredients in a bowl

Whisk well until they look even. And set it aside.

mixing all the dried ingredients in a bowl

Step 2: Mash bananas.

I highly recommend using ripe bananas for this cake. Not only it's easier to mash it, but it also gives the cake a better texture and sweetness. When they are perfectly ripe, you'll see brown stains all around the skin.

ripe bananas with hands

👩🏻‍🍳 If your banana is not ripe enough, leave it outside in a warmer place or add apples in the same bag to fasten the ripe process.

Mash bananas until it looks like an oatmeal breakfast meal. I still like to leave small pieces so that I can see them slightly when I slice the cakes. You can use a fork to do so or use a masher.

bananas in a bowl to make chocolate banana cake
smushed bananas in a bowl to make chocolate banana cake

Step 3: Mix all the wet ingredients.

Now add whole eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.

💬 I use olive oil as a healthier option. You can also use any regular oils such as vegetable oil or canola oil.

whole eggs, oil, vanilla and mushed bananas to make chocolate banana cake
mashed bananas, whole eggs, oil, and vanilla.

And mix everything until they look nice and even.

mixing wet ingredients to make chocolate banana cake

I usually start heating the water after mixing the wet ingredients. I was not adding it yet so that it does not cook eggs. Add it as a very last thing!

💬 When you start heating the water too early, it starts boiling and evaporates too much. That is why I like to start heating at this time.

hot water in a pan to make chocolate banana cakes

Step 4: Add the dried ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.

adding dried ingredients to make chocolate banana cakes

Mix until it looks evenly mixed. The batter is quite thick, especially at the very beginning, so use a spatula to mix them.

the chocolate banana cake batter before adding hot water

Step 5: Add hot water and mix.

Now to finish the batter, add hot water and mix.

If you add all the water at once, eggs might get cooked, so add about ⅓-1/2 first, mix well, and add the rest.

adding hot water in chocolate banana cake batter

Once everything looks even, the batter is done!

finished chocolate banana cake batter
Once everything looks even, it's done!

Step 6: Pour into pans and bake!

🔥 Bake at 365F | 185C for about 40 minutes until the center cooks through. (The time & temperature may vary depending on the oven.)

pouring the chocolate banana cake batter into pans
placing 2 pans filled with chocolate banana cake batter in the oven

To check if it's done, there are 2 ways you can try:

  • Insert a toothpick and see if it comes off clean. You might see the toothpick is a little bit wet because of the mashed banana and it is totally fine. Just make sure it's not the wet batter.
  • Touch the center of the cake. If it's completely dried and bounces back gently, it is done!
2 chocolate banana cakes in the oven

Today, I am using 2 1.5 QT pans. You can use 1 larger pan instead or even cupcakes! Use any pans you have. Just adjust the baking time and temperature accordingly!

After it cools down

2 chocolate banana cakes just came out of the oven
right after they are out of the oven

After they are out of the oven, let them cool down completely before you take them out from the pans. They are still very fragile while they are hot.

up-close of chocolate banana cakes

How to remove cakes from the pans

Insert a spatula or a small knife to make sure that the cake is not sticking to the pan. When you do that, push the spatula inward slightly to detach the side and the bottom.

taking out chocolate banana cake from a pan
flipped chocolate banana cake on a table

Step 7: Make ganache. (Optional)

I like to spread a very generous amount of dark chocolate ganache on top to compliment this cake. It is optional but I highly recommend trying it if you have extra time. The moist, soft cake and silky, smooth ganache match so well together. It's very simple.

First, melt chocolate in a water bath. I used 58% Couverture chocolate. You can pick from a 50-70% range as you like. Once the water is simmering/boiling, turn off the heat and place a bowl on top of a pan. You do not want to keep boiling as you heat since the chocolate can get burned or the condition might get worse.

dark chocolate in a bowl

Once the chocolate melted completely, add heavy cream. I like to heat heavy cream slightly until it does not feel anything (or slightly warm) when you touch it. It is optional but they get blended more easily by doing so.

To let them emulsify more, add heavy cream little by little and mix well each time. It is important to make sure the ganache looks smooth before you add the next cream. I divided it into 4-5 times this time.

adding heavy cream in melted chocolate to make ganache
mixing heavy cream and chocolate to make ganache
adding heavy cream in chocolate to make ganache

Today, I am adding honey. By adding it, the ganache stays slightly shinier and softer even after it cools down a bit. And the flavor matches well with the banana flavor. I only added 1 tablespoon but you can add more if you want to see the effects more.

Adding honey in ganache

Also, use a spatula to mix the ganache. When you mix it with a whisk, it'll contain more air. You'll see more air bubbles in the ganache which does not look so appealing!

finished dark chocolate ganache

Step 8: Spread ganache on top, slice & enjoy!

👩🏻‍🍳 Right after it's made, the ganache might be too loose to coat on top of a cake depending on the temperature of the chocolate and heavy cream. In that case, just set it aside for some time. It'll slowly get thicker.

thicken dark chocolate ganache

💡 Note that the ganache gets hard when it cools down completely. Just like buttercream or any other ganache. The texture completely changes then, so do not chill the frosted cake in a fridge if you want to enjoy smooth, soft ganache. I always start making it right before I serve.

coating chocolate ganache on top of chocolate banana cake
chocolate banana cake and dark chocolate ganache on top
chocolate banana cake and dark chocolate ganache and walnut on top

As an option, sprinkle toasted walnuts on top! The crunchiness of the walnut matches so well with the moist cake and smooth ganache. Yum! You can also use other types of nuts or diced chocolate, etc.

slicing chocolate banana cake loaf
up-close of a chocolate banana cake slice

This chocolate banana cake is incredibly moist yet soft and has an amazing texture. It's the ultimate chocolate cake that is so simple to make but still, you can amaze your friends and family with its incredible texture and flavor.

a slice of chocolate banana cake with sliced banana and walnut on a plate

📌 VIDEO: Chocolate Banana Cake

To see all the steps visually and get a better understanding of all, check out the video tutorial:

Don't forget to subscribe if you liked it😉

💬 I appreciate it if you can leave a review here if you tried this recipe and loved it! I always love to hear how you enjoyed it at home with your friends and family.

📌 The Printable Recipe

3 layers of chocolate banana cake slices

Perfectly Moist Chocolate Banana Cake

ayacaliva
Try this moist chocolate banana cake with smooth chocolate ganache on top. It is so simple yet delicious.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Share by Email
Baking time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Chocolate
Cuisine Baking
Servings 16
Calories 570 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 1.5 quart pans or 1 3 quart pan (or use ANY pan you like!)
  • Large bowl
  • Sieve
  • Whisk
  • Folk
  • Spatula

Ingredients
 
 

  • 14.1 oz Granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 10.6 oz All purpose flour
  • 3.5 oz Coco powder
  • 1 tablespoon Baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon Baking soda
  • 14.1 oz Banana Ripe
  • 7 oz Egg about 4 large eggs
  • 7 oz Oil I use olive oil. You can use any regular oils.
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 14.1 oz Hot water simmering hot water

Chocolate Ganache on Top

  • 14.1 oz Dark chocolate I used 58% couverture chocolate.
  • 14.1 oz Heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Honey (Optional)
  • Some Toasted walnut (Optional)

Instructions
 

Preparations:

* Preheat the oven to 365 F | 185 C.

* Coat a thin layer of butter inside the pans you are using. This prevents cakes from sticking to the pans.

    Cake

    • Mix all the dried ingredients:
      Sift all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda.
      And whisk them all together until they look even.
      14.1 oz Granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Salt, 10.6 oz All purpose flour, 3.5 oz Coco powder, 1 tablespoon Baking powder, 1 tablespoon Baking soda
      mixing all the dried ingredients in a bowl
    • Mash bananas with a fork:
      Mash until it looks like an oatmeal breakfast meal. Leave small pieces instead of making it a complete paste.
      14.1 oz Banana
      smushed bananas in a bowl to make chocolate banana cake
    • Mix all the wet ingredients:
      Now add whole eggs, oil, and vanilla extract to the bananas. Mix until they look nice and even.
      7 oz Egg, 7 oz Oil, 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
      mixing wet ingredients to make chocolate banana cake
    • Add all the dried ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix:
      Mix until they are blended evenly. The batter is thick, especially at the very beginning; I recommend using a spatula.
      the chocolate banana cake batter before adding hot water
    • Add simmering hot water and mix:
      Add about ⅓-1/2 first, mix well, and add the rest.
      Once everything looks even, the batter is done!
      14.1 oz Hot water
      adding hot water in chocolate banana cake batter
    • Pour into pans and bake:
      Bake at 365 F | 185 C for about 40 minutes until the center is cooked through.
      Touch the top and see if it bounces back gently or insert a toothpick and see if it comes off clean.
      * The time & temperature may vary depending on the oven and pan you use.
      Let them cool down completely before you take them out from the pans.
      pouring the chocolate banana cake batter into pans

    Chocolate Ganache (Optional)

    • Make ganache.
      First, melt chocolate in a water bath.
      Once the chocolate is completely melted, add heavy cream:
      I like to warm heavy cream a little bit until it does not feel anything when you touch it.
      To let them emulsify easier, add heavy cream little by little and mix well each time. It is important to make sure that the ganache looks smooth before you add the next cream. I divided it into 4-5 times this time.
      Add honey (optional) and mix.
      14.1 oz Dark chocolate, 14.1 oz Heavy cream, 1 tablespoon Honey
      finished dark chocolate ganache
    • Coat ganache, slice & enjoy!
      Right after it's made, the ganache might be too loose to coat on top of a cake. In that case, just set it aside for some time at room temperature. (Or you can drizzle them on top!) It slowly gets thickened.
      Some Toasted walnut
      slicing chocolate banana cake loaf

    Video

    Notes

    Cake:
    • I used 2 1.5-quarter pans. You can use 1 larger pan, a cupcake pan, or any pans you have. Depending on the pans, the baking time gets shorter or longer. Adjust the time and temperature accordingly.
    • Use ripe bananas for this cake. Not only it's easier to mash, but it also gives the cake a better texture and sweetness. When they are perfectly ripe, you'll see brown stains all over the skin.
    • I use extra virgin olive oil as a healthier option. You can also use any regular oils such as vegetable or canola oil.
    Ganache:
    • I used 58% Couverture chocolate. I recommend around 60% but you can pick from a 50-70% range of your choice.
    • Water bath: Once the water is simmering or boiling, turn off the heat and place a bowl of chocolate on top of the pan. Do not continue boiling as you heat because the chocolate can get burned or the condition might get worse.
    • Use a spatula to mix the ganache. It'll contain more air bubbles with a whisk which does not look so appealing.
    • The ganache gets hardened when it's chilled completely. Just like buttercream or any other ganache. Do not chill the frosted cake in the fridge if you want to enjoy smooth, soft ganache. I always start making the ganache right before I serve the cake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 570kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 8gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 463mgPotassium: 426mgFiber: 6gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 461IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword best chocolate banana cake, chocolate banana cake, chocolate banana cake recipe, moist chocolate banana cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you love chocolate, also check out my other chocolate desserts such as my classic chocolate cake and opera cake. I'm sharing how to make it step-by-step.

    a slice of chocolate cake
    one slice of a classic opera cake on a plate

    Go back to the top of this post.

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