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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

Ingredients for the Banana Coconut Cake Recipe

  • medium overly ripe bananas 
  • melted coconut oil 
  • honey 
  • large eggs 
  • vanilla extract 
  • all-purpose flour 
  • baking soda 
  • ground cinnamon 
  • kosher salt 
  • shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes 

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

  • cream cheese 
  • powdered sugar 
  • unsweetened cocoa powder 
  • vanilla extract 
  • canned coconut milk 

Kitchen Supplies

  • 8 inch cake pans (square baking pan)
  • Parchment paper 
  • Large mixing bowl and medium bowl
  • Electric mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer)
  • wire rack for cooling
  • cake stand

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.

Step One

Let’s start with the banana coconut sheet cake.

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. Maybe a bit more for that extra coconut flavor. 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. Pour batter into the 8-inch square baking pan.

Step Two

Bake, and less than 30 minutes later your house is going to smell incredible. Nothing smells better than a banana cake baking. Stick a fork or toothpick into the cake and see if it comes out clean to ensure it’s baked completely!

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

Step Three

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! Love the fluffy texture of this cake and the delicious chocolate frosting.

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.

Watch the How-To Reel

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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overhead horizontal photo of Easiest Coconut Banana Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting
This post was originally published on February 21, 2020
4.37 from 561 votes (465 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday. Had all of the ingredients on hand. It was so easy.
    It is sooooooooooooo good! Moist. Perfect frosting! Thank you! ?? ❤️

    1. Hi! I use only the thick coconut cream. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan

  2. So delicious!!! I make at least one of your recipes each week either from your cookbook or an inspiration from your instagram stories. Every recipe has been a hit with my family. My two boys (17 and 23) have big appetites and they are always satisfied. How can I adjust this recipe for make in a 9×13 cake pan.? Thank you so much.

    1. HI! I would just double the cake recipe and then bake for 40-45 minutes. The bake time is a guess, so please be sure to check the cake for doneness towards the end of cooking. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan

  3. 5 stars
    So good and easy to make. I don’t have a sweet tooth but indulged in a piece and enjoyed every bite. The icing totally makes this cake.

  4. I am going to try today ., can’t wait! Was wondering as I am out of coconut oil would sunflower oil be ok to use instead?

  5. 5 stars
    Made this for my aunts birthday! She LOVED it. It was also super easy to make and I ended up having almost all the ingredients at home already. Can’t wait to make this again soon.

  6. 4 stars
    Made it this morning for the neighbor kids this afternoon but ended up inhaling 2 pieces for breakfast! I can’t get enough of this easy, delicious cake!!

  7. Tried this Cake recipe today , it was amazing ! Came together quickly and easy , tasted awesome ! For the frosting I took a shortcut and whipped together a block of cream cheese and a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk … I skipped the cocoa as a matter of preference , but the shortcut was great ! Overall I was so pleased to have a new banana bread recipe that didn’t require about 100 steps ( which my traditional one does !) thank you !!

  8. Thinking of making this as 1 of 3 layers in a birthday cake. Curious how do you think it will turn out in a circle shape? Thanks!

    1. Hi! This bakes up well in an 8 inch circle cake pan. Fun idea! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan

    1. Hi Michelle! It is not, coconut milk has a thinner consistency! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

    1. Hi! I would just omit the coconut. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan

    1. I am sure cupcakes will be great! This will make 11 to 12 cupcakes and I would bake them 22-25 minutes. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan