This Vegan Banana Cake is moist, tender, and subtly sweet with a hint of coconut flavor. It's a delicious way to use up overripe bananas without needing eggs, milk, butter, or oil. Enjoy it warm or cold, with or without frosting.
SUMMARISE AND SAVE THIS RECIPE
If you're looking for more vegan recipes, try our Vegan Chocolate Cake, Vegan Lemon Cake or check out our Hummus recipe.
What Makes a Cake Vegan?
A cake is considered vegan when it is made without any animal-derived ingredients. This means it doesn't contain eggs, dairy products (such as milk, butter, or cream), honey, or any other ingredients that come from animals. Instead, vegan cakes use plant-based alternatives like vegetable oils, non-dairy milk, and egg substitutes, or simply leave out these ingredients altogether, depending on the recipe.
Ingredients in Vegan Banana Cake
The 3-Ingredient Vegan Banana Cake recipe uses simple, plant-based ingredients that create a moist and flavorful cake:
- Overripe Bananas: Bananas are the primary ingredient in this cake, providing natural sweetness, moisture, and binding without the need for eggs. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the cake will be.
- Sweetened Coconut Condensed Milk: This ingredient adds sweetness and a subtle coconut flavor to the cake. It also contributes to the cake's moisture and helps bind the ingredients together, making it a great alternative to traditional dairy-based condensed milk.
- Self-Rising Flour: Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, so there's no need to add additional leavening agents. This flour helps the cake rise and gives it a light, tender crumb.
These three ingredients work together to create a Vegan Banana Cake that is simple yet delicious.
How To Make Vegan Banana Cake
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when the cake goes in, which helps it bake evenly. Line a regular loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork or potato masher. The bananas should be smooth, as they provide the base for the cake's texture and moisture.
Mix in the Sweetened Coconut Condensed Milk: Add the sweetened coconut condensed milk to the mashed bananas. Use a hand whisk to combine the ingredients thoroughly. This step ensures that the sweetness and coconut flavor are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Incorporate the Self-Rising Flour: Gently fold the self-rising flour into the banana and milk mixture using a silicone spatula. Mix just until no visible flour remains, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with the spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the Cake: After baking, place the loaf pan on a wire cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, which helps it set and makes it easier to remove from the pan. Then, carefully turn the cake out onto the wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Serve: Once cooled, the Vegan Banana Cake can be sliced and served. You can enjoy it warm or cold, plain or with frosting, depending on your preference.
Fay's Top Tip
One top tip for this Vegan Banana Cake is to use very overripe bananas with plenty of brown spots. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be, which is especially important since there's no added sugar in the recipe besides the coconut condensed milk.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake: Fold in ½ cup (90g) of vegan chocolate chips into the batter before baking for a chocolatey twist.
- Banana Nut Cake: Add ½ cup (60g) of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and a nutty flavor.
- Cinnamon Vegan Banana Cake: Mix 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon into the flour before adding it to the batter for a warm, spiced version.
- Berry Vegan Banana Cake: Gently fold in ½ cup (75g) of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries or raspberries for a fruity variation.
- Banana Coconut Cake: Add ¼ cup (20g) of shredded coconut to the batter for an extra boost of coconut flavor and texture.
More Banana Recipes
If you love baking with bananas and don't mind non-vegan options, you'll enjoy our Blender Banana Cake, Easy Banana Bread, and Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Loaf Cake.
Common Questions and Answers for my Vegan Banana Cake
Yes, you can use regular condensed milk if you're not concerned about keeping the recipe vegan. However, this will alter the flavor, making it less coconutty and more traditional.
Store the banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can add ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit to the batter before baking. Just fold them in gently to avoid overmixing.
It's normal for this cake to sink slightly in the middle due to the lack of eggs. Ensure the cake cools completely before slicing to help it set properly.
3-Ingredient Vegan Banana Cake
INGREDIENTS
- 3 bananas overripe
- 320 g sweetened coconut condensed milk
- 300 g self-rising flour
EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a regular loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher.
- Combine with Coconut Condensed Milk: Add the sweetened coconut condensed milk to the mashed bananas. Use a hand whisk to mix well until fully combined.
- Incorporate the Flour: Gently fold in the self-rising flour with a silicone spatula until no visible flour remains.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the lined loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Place the loaf pan on a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cake out onto the wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your vegan banana cake warm or cold.
NOTES
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking the cake at 35 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let It Cool Completely: The cake may sink slightly in the middle, which is normal, so let it cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Additions: For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the batter before baking.
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