If you’re on the hunt for a moist, flavorful treat that feels like a warm hug in every bite, this Vegan Banana Cake Recipe is your new best friend. It combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the comforting spices and a fluffy texture that only a well-crafted banana cake can deliver. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging in your own cozy moments, this cake proves that dairy-free and egg-free can still mean utterly delicious. Let’s dive into making this delightful, plant-based dessert that’s become a personal favourite for all banana cake aficionados.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Vegan Banana Cake Recipe lies in its simple, yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating the cake’s tender crumb, rich flavor, and beautiful color. From ripe bananas that add natural sweetness and moisture to a hint of cinnamon that elevates the warmth, every pantry staple shines here.
- Soy milk (160 ml): Creates a perfect vegan alternative to dairy milk and works with vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s tanginess.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons): Reacts with baking powder for a light, fluffy texture.
- Ripe bananas (280 g): The star ingredient that adds sweetness, moisture, and natural flavor.
- Plain flour (250 g): Forms the cake’s structure and provides a soft crumb.
- Baking powder (2 ½ teaspoons): Essential leavening agent to help the cake rise beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Sea salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances overall taste.
- Vegan butter, room temperature (100 g): Offers richness and a tender bite in the crumb.
- Granulated sugar (100 g): Sweetens and helps create the perfect moist texture.
- Soft brown sugar (70 g): Adds a subtle caramel note and deepens flavor complexity.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Brings aromatic sweetness that complements the bananas perfectly.
- Vegan Greek-style yogurt (50 g): Adds moisture and slight tang for a well-rounded batter.
- Easy vegan frosting (½ to full batch): Ideal for topping, whether you want a light drizzle or a generous coat.
- Banana sliced lengthways or dried banana coins (1 banana): For a beautiful, tasty garnish that hints at what’s inside.
- Ground cinnamon (½ teaspoon) and brown sugar (1 tablespoon): A sprinkle for topping to enhance flavor and texture.
How to Make Vegan Banana Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Environment
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (347°F) to ensure it’s hot and ready for the baking magic. Lightly grease your 10.5-inch rectangular pan with oil or vegan butter, then line it with parchment paper. This step helps the cake release easily once baked, preventing any sticky mishaps.
Step 2: Create Your Vegan “Buttermilk” and Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine soy milk with apple cider vinegar in a bowl or jug, stir, and let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly, replicating the tang of buttermilk. Meanwhile, mash your ripe bananas until smooth—they’re the secret to sweet and moist cake layers. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt, which will provide the foundational structure and aroma for your batter.
Step 3: Whip Up the Batter
In a larger bowl or with your stand mixer, cream the vegan butter and both sugars for 4 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy—this is where the air bubbles start to form, crucial for that tender crumb. Then add the vegan yogurt and vanilla extract, blending until fully combined. Gently fold in the mashed bananas in two increments, mixing just to combine. It’s okay if the batter looks slightly separated at this point. Now add the “buttermilk” and dry ingredients, alternating in two parts, mixing carefully to avoid overworking the batter, so it stays light and bouncy.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pour your thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Pop it into the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake’s surface turns a beautiful golden brown. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife; it should come out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for another 10 to 15 minutes—this cooling process helps set the crumb and makes frosting much easier.
Step 5: Frost and Garnish
Frost your cake with a batch of easy vegan buttercream or cream cheese frosting, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula. Top with fresh banana slices or dried banana coins to echo the cake’s core ingredient and add some texture. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar for an irresistible aroma and a touch of sweetness that guests will adore.
Step 6: Store and Enjoy
This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature to preserve its softness. If you need to keep it longer, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Before serving, bring it back to room temperature for the perfect bite every time.
How to Serve Vegan Banana Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of cinnamon and brown sugar gives this cake a lovely sparkle and complements the natural sweetness of the bananas. Fresh banana slices or dried banana chips not only make the cake look inviting but also add a fresh or chewy contrast that’s delightful in every forkful.
Side Dishes
Pair your Vegan Banana Cake Recipe with a hot cup of spiced chai or rich coffee to balance the sweetness with a caffeine kick. For a brunch-worthy spread, serve alongside dairy-free yogurt or a scoop of coconut ice cream, perfect for those warm days when you crave a refreshing complement.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the cake into neat rectangles and layer with frosting to create vegan banana cake sandwiches for an easy, grab-and-go snack. Or, serve it on a rustic wooden board with a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce and a sprinkle of toasted nuts for an elegant touch that’s sure to impress at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Vegan Banana Cake Recipe fresh by sealing it tightly in an airtight container. The fridge is best to retain its moisture and prevent it from drying out, allowing you to enjoy a slice anytime within the next several days.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Slice it into portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to indulge, thaw slices in the fridge overnight or let them soften at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly-baked feel, warm your cake slices gently in a microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until just heated through. Be sure not to overheat, as the moist crumb is what makes this banana cake truly special.
FAQs
Can I use any other plant-based milk instead of soy milk?
Absolutely! Almond, oat, or coconut milk can work well in this Vegan Banana Cake Recipe, but soy milk provides the best consistency when curdled with vinegar to mimic buttermilk.
What if I don’t have vegan butter?
You can substitute vegan margarine or coconut oil, but be aware the flavor and texture might vary slightly, as vegan butter adds a creamy richness that enhances the cake’s softness.
Can I replace the baking powder with baking soda?
Baking powder is preferred here for the right rise and crumb texture, especially combined with apple cider vinegar. Using only baking soda might affect the cake’s fluffiness unless adjusted carefully.
Is it necessary to use both brown and granulated sugar?
Using both sugars balances sweetness and moisture. Brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor, while granulated sugar helps the cake rise and develop a tender crumb.
How ripe should the bananas be for best results?
The riper, the better! Look for bananas with lots of brown spots or even fully brown skins—they’re sweeter and softer, making your Vegan Banana Cake Recipe richer and moister.
Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t recommend this Vegan Banana Cake Recipe enough if you want to impress yourself or your friends with a homemade treat that’s both comforting and surprisingly easy to make. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the humble banana, and I hope it becomes a beloved addition to your baking repertoire, bringing smiles with every slice.
Print
Vegan Banana Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This moist and flavorful Vegan Banana Cake is a delightful dairy-free and egg-free dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with ripe bananas, vegan butter, and plant-based yogurt, it offers a soft texture and rich banana flavor. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and topped with easy vegan frosting and fresh banana slices, this cake is simple to prepare and sure to please both vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 160 ml soy milk
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 280 g ripe bananas (approx 2 large or 3 medium)
- 100 g vegan butter (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 50 g vegan Greek-style yogurt (or soy/coconut yogurt)
Dry Ingredients
- 250 g plain flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Sugars
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 70 g soft brown sugar
Toppings and Decoration
- ½ batch easy vegan frosting (to lightly frost) or full batch to generously frost
- 1 banana sliced lengthways (or dried banana coins)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F). Lightly grease a 10.5″ rectangular cake pan with oil or vegan butter and line it with a sheet of parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Make Vegan “Buttermilk” and Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl or jug, combine soy milk with apple cider vinegar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes to curdle, creating vegan “buttermilk.” Meanwhile, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together plain flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream vegan butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add in the vegan yogurt and vanilla extract and mix well to combine.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the mashed bananas in two increments into the creamed mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Add the vegan “buttermilk” and dry ingredients in two increments, whisking to combine after each addition. Take care not to overmix; a slightly thick batter with some splitting is normal.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the thick batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife into the center; it should come out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely for another 10-15 minutes.
- Frost and Decorate: Prepare an easy vegan buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Once the cake is fully cooled, frost the cake with an offset spatula. Garnish with sliced fresh banana or dried banana coins. Dust with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon for an extra touch.
- Storage Instructions: Store the cake at room temperature if consuming the same day to maintain its fluffy texture. For longer storage, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Before serving refrigerated cake, allow it to come to room temperature for 1-2 hours for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Room temperature vegan butter creams better and helps achieve a light texture in the cake.
- The granulated sugar adds sweetness and texture; do not substitute with liquid sweeteners without adjusting other ingredients.
- You can use vegan Greek-style yogurt or soy/coconut yogurt depending on availability.
- The vegan “buttermilk” made with soy milk and apple cider vinegar helps the cake rise and adds moistness.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and avoid a dense crumb.
- Use fresh ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- The cake is best served at room temperature to maintain its fluffy consistency.
