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The best and (easiest) Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting. No fuss, super quick to mix up, and SO DELICIOUS! Yes, that pretty much sums up this coconut banana cake. It’s the perfect simple cake to bake up this weekend. With over-ripe bananas, salted butter, and a good amount of fudgy chocolate frosting, this is sure to become your favorite “snacking” cake. Perfect as an afternoon snack or a late-night dessert.

overhead photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting with 9 pieces of cake cut into squares

If you know me, then you know that I have a true love for a good layer cake. I find them beautiful, delicious, and at times a challenge to photograph. But I always end up loving them. I would say that nine and a half times out of ten, if you ask me to bake a cake, it will be a layer cake. If I’m baking for a chocolate lover, I turn to my standard three-layer chocolate cake. If It’s someone who really appreciates a fruit cake, this blackberry lavender naked cake is my favorite. And if it’s Easter? I’ll bake this layered coconut carrot cake from the HBH Super Simple cookbook (or maybe this lemon coconut naked cake, depends on my mood).

Yes, it’s safe to say that layer cakes are what I am passionate about when it comes to cakes. That’s probably why I’ve avoided making sheet cakes for the longest time. They just never excited me like a layer cake does. But that all changed the minute I made this banana cake. It’s one of my better cakes for sure. So super simple. And so insanely delicious.

I cannot wait to tell you guys about it. This cake is SO GOOD.

overhead photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake before frosting

(coconut banana cake just after baking)

overhead prep photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with a blob of frosting on top, before spreading

What’s the reason for cake?

Well, you never need a reason for cake, it’s always good, and always welcome, but I will say my dad’s birthday was the inspiration behind this recipe.

As you all know, I love cooking and baking for people. It’s why I got into cooking in the first place. So whenever it’s someone’s birthday I love cooking and baking with the foods they love most. Two of my dad’s favorite foods? Bananas and chocolate. He loves them separately, but he loves them paired together even more.

Enter this cake. It’s moist, a touch coconutty, heavy on the bananas, and topped with a very generous spread of chocolate frosting. My banana bread recipe is probably in his top ten favorites when it comes to my baking. And I get the feeling this cake just made his list too. Why? The frosting, it’s to die for.

overhead photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting before slicing

Here is how you make this banana cake.

This is VERY easy. The cake itself is made in just one bowl and comes together in no time at all.

Find yourself some very ripe bananas, I’m talking practically black bananas everyone. Very, very brown bananas are KEY to keeping the cake, flavorful, sweet, and incredibly moist.

Mash up the bananas and then mix with a little coconut oil, honey, a couple of eggs, and a splash of vanilla. Add flour, a pinch of cinnamon (only if you wish), and a dash of salt. Stir in some shredded coconut. The coconut is that unexpected ingredient that makes the cake really good. It’s subtle enough that you can barely tell it’s there, but it adds a special touch.

Bake, and less than 30 minutes later your house is going to smell incredible. Nothing smells better than a banana cake baking.

overhead close up photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting and squares of cake cut

Now, to make that fudgy chocolate frosting.

No cake is complete without frosting, and a banana cake requires a simple chocolate frosting.

I wanted mine to be extra light and whipped, so I incorporated a bit of cream cheese and used plenty of cocoa powder, plus vanilla extract too. My real secret for this frosting however? Salted butter…it’s that ingredient that will make your frosting better than everyone else’s. Trust me. The touch of extra salt goes a long way.

overhead photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool for thirty minutes or so, then frost, snack, and enjoy!

This makes for a delicious afternoon treat or late night dessert but is equally great as a simple birthday cake. It’s no fuss, pretty, and so good. The best part? This cake can be baked, frosted, and ready for eating in really just about an hour. If you need to get the cake to cool quickly, just pop it in the freezer to chill off, then frost. I understand if you need to try a bite…right away. The cake just smells and looks too good, it’s a hard one to resist.

So with that. How about some Friday night baking? I think we should! And please, please share on Instagram so I can see!! Can’t wait. ENJOY!!

overhead close up photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

Lastly, if you make this coconut banana cake with fudgy chocolate frosting, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 419 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, coconut oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, mix until just combined. Fold in the coconut flakes. Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until center is just set. Remove and let cool for at least 30 minutes before frosting.
    3. To make the frosting, add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Beat another 2-4 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy. Beat in the coconut cream until combined. 
    3. Spread the frosting over cake. Slice, snack, and enjoy!

Notes

To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour
To Replace Coconut Oil: use an equal amount of olive oil, melted butter, or canola oil.
Storing: this cake keeps well for 3-4 days at room temperature. 
To cool cake quickly for frosting: place in freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and frost.
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Comments

  1. 4 stars
    The cake is SO moist!

    The icing was too cocoa-y for us. We added extra confectioners sugar. It was still more bitter than our liking from the cocoa. I added a little salt, which balanced the bitter. With the extra confectioners, I had enough icing to have fine a 9”x13”, if that’s what I baked.

    I wanted the coconut to be optional, so I added it on top. Plus I thought it would be pretty.

    I totally missed that the flour was supposed to be all purpose. I used self-rising and the batter was quite salty. Once cooked with icing, it was fine.

    The icing and coconut didn’t ask anything for me. Usually I love both, but I didn’t think they added anything to this cake. Next time, I’ll use all purpose flour and just make the cake. It’s stand alone delicious!

    I’ve printed off this recipe. It will be my go-to banana cake. It’s amazing. I may sprinkle the top lightly with confectioners sugar.

    1. Hey Janey,
      Happy Monday!!🌴 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT

  2. Hello,
    I am going to make this cake for my daughter’s birthday (as per her request). If I double the recipe and cook in a 13 x 9 bake will the cooking time change. Thx in advance.

    1. Hey Francesca,
      Yes, I would definitely increase your bake time, maybe start checking for doneness at 60 minutes. I hope you love this recipe! xT

    1. Hey Louise,
      Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx

  3. Just made this! Moist, fluffy and yum!
    I am one of those terrible people who have trouble following recipes. I had one extra banana so I threw it in along with a bit of extra flour. It was very flexible recipe that turned out well. I too got confused with the icing- but yes you add the cream part of the coconut milk. I would 100% make this again… with chocolate chips added to the cake! Yumo!

    1. Hey Kim,
      I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m thrilled to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend! xx

    1. Hey Lyd,
      I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m thrilled to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend! xx

  4. Hi! Made this a couple of weeks ago. So so yummy! Making again to bring to friends and doubling the recipe. My guess is it will fit fine in 9 x 13? Or should I make 2 separate in 8 x 8 pans?

    1. Hey Jeannie,
      Should be just fine to use a 9×13 baking dish! Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

    1. Hey Kelly,
      Sure, I would just reduce your bake time, that should work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

  5. I usually love all your recipes and make them over and over. This one I definitely won’t make again. The banana cake was good but the icing was awful. Scraped all the icing off and threw it out. Just ate the cake.

    1. Hi Sue,
      Thanks for making this recipe and sharing your feedback. So sorry to hear the icing did not turn out for you. Was there something specific that was wrong with or something that I could help with? xT

  6. The frosting is not good. At all. It ruined a great cake. Also, the instructions are unclear. Ingredients state to use coconut milk. But instructions say coconut cream. Is 1/4 cup of the cream on top or 1/4 cup of of milk supposed to be used?

    1. Hey Jennifer,
      Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. I used a combo from the coconut milk can. Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx

  7. 5 stars
    This was such a hit, Tieghan! I made it for Valentines Day and the kids loved it. I don’t usually care for chocolate frosting, but this one is to die for! I used Ghirardelli 100% cocoa powder and it had a really deep and rich flavor – glad the kids were at school so I could lick the bowl!

    1. Hey Julia,
      Wonderful!!😊 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was delish! xT

  8. 5 stars
    Just baked this cake this Afternoon for Valentine’s day dessert. It was an act of trust, as I like 99% of all your recipes! The banana cake is heavy in weight, and yummy with the addition of the sweetened coconut (I added an extra 1/4 cup. (I did bake 6 bananas in the oven for 20 min, as suggested.) And the frosting w/ coconut creme(?). But together, it was very yummy and a big hit. Not overly sweet, just perfect. I made a double layer 8″ cake and a separate 8″ square cake for my next door neighbor. 5 Stars!!

    1. Hey Denise,
      Amazing!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT

  9. 5 stars
    I am not a baker, but this was so easy and so good! The frosting is amazing… will use the frosting recipe on other cakes.

    1. Hey Caroline,
      Happy Monday!! 💘 Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx

  10. Hey tieghan! This looks delicious! Do you think I could use a vegan egg substitute like a chia or flax egg replacement?

    Have a happy Super Bowl Sunday

    1. Hey Resa,
      I’ve not tested this, but I think a few other readers have tried it and says it works well! Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xT