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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.

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.

(coconut banana cake just after baking)

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.

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!

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.

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!!

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
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
- 4 medium overly ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cup mashed)
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup canned coconut milk
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.

This post was originally published on February 21, 2020
















I just made this. WOW!!!! So easy and absolutely delicious. Making your lemon chicken orzo one pot meal tonight. Nothing wrong with a little dessert before dinner. Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Hey Lucy,
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Any dairy free substitute suggestions for the cream cheese?
Hey Michelle,
You can skip the cream cheese. I hope you love the recipe. Let me know how it turns out! Thanks! xTieghan
How do I get those edible flower crumbles on top?
Hey Amanda,
Here is the link for the rose petals that I used: https://smile.amazon.com/bMAKER-Crafting-Included-Absolute-Essential/dp/B01F82OGHC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Rose+Petals&qid=1613060529&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTkI3OVZTNlhZVlZDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTY0NDMzWTM3VUs1SjRHWTNUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyOTU4NjEyOUxENTRCVlhXQklWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Could you replace the flour with almond flour?
Could you replace the flour with almond flour?
Hey Cindi,
I would recommend using an equal amount of gluten free flour. I hope you love the recipe. Let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Hello Tieghan
Do you think I could make these vegan? How would I replace the eggs?
Thank you xoxo
Hey Anne,
So sorry I have never tried this recipe without eggs, but you could certainly try using a chia or flax egg. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know how the recipe turns out for you! xTieghan
I love this cake!! I have made it three times now and it has been a big hit. 🙂 I have a few tips to aim for a less dense/bread-like cake- make sure you use over ripe bananas like the recipe says, and using cake flour really makes a difference in lightening it up as well. This last time I decorated the cake with peanut butter frosting on top of the fudge and it was delicious! 🙂 Thank you for the amazing recipe!
Hey Christianne,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This recipe is going into the KEEP! box. I didn’t have honey but substituted 1/2 cut chopped, packed Medjool dates and a sparse 1/4 cup of Keto maple syrup (could have used real but it was on hand ?). Because I live in a high altitude, also added 1/2 cup more flour. Turned out perfectly. Oh so good! Thank you for all the great recipes!
Thank you Deborah! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
Made this last night when we had friends over – LOVED it! The frosting was delicious and I loved the texture and moisture of the cake itself.
Thank you so much Gina! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
yum yum yum! I made this cake with only the slightest of changes, one being changing the frosting to a nutella frosting. thanks so much, this was a home run for sure!
Thank you so much Amanda!! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is the third time I’m making this cake but this time. This time i forgot to add the eggs ?. Hope it’s going to be good.
I hope it turns out well for you, Dana! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
I made this last night as a birthday cake, and even sprinkled leftover coconut flakes on the top of the icing.. a HUGE hit for everyone! Thanks half baked!
Thank you Eliza! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan!
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it out! Annoyingly, I only have 9 inch round pans. Do you think that will work okay and would I need to increase the baking time?
Hi Tavishee,
I would keep everything the same, just keep an eye on the cake towards the end of baking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was a big hit in my house. So delicious and easy to make!
Thank you so much Cindy! xTieghan
Hi its difficult to get cream cheese from where im based. Can you recommend a good substitute for it?
Hi Ena,
You can use sour cream. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan