Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cake with Chocolate Swirl Topping
By: Merritt Allen
Is anything as cozy and yummy as a banana cake with chocolate and peanut butter? I love banana bread, it tastes great as a dessert, a mid day snack, or with a cup of coffee in the morning, and I classify this mixture as a cake only because I dressed it by using a cake pan and adding delicious chocolate peanut butter swirls on top.
This banana cake recipe is versatile, rich, buttery, and delicious. Its hard not to love peanut butter and banana, especially when topped with dark chocolate that all combine so well. Its always great to have a good banana cake recipe in your back pocket so that you have an easy dessert for any occasion, so give this a try and I hope you like it as much as I do!
Notes and Tips For Better Banana Cake:
This dessert works fine with just ripe bananas or overly ripe bananas. The flavor of banana will intensify the more ripe the bananas are.
To melt your chocolate for swirling on top, place 1/2 cup chocolate chips and heat in the microwave for 20-30 second increments. Stir in between so that your chocolate remains glossy. You can also use a double boiler but I find the microwave is faster.
This cake tastes great plain too. For non-chocolate lovers, drizzling some peanut butter plain after the cake has come out of the over is another great and super easy “icing.”
Common Questions for Peanut Butter Banana Cake:
Can Peanut Butter Banana Cake Be Made Gluten Free?
Yes this cake can definitely be made gluten free! You can use a 1:1 substitution for your favorite gluten free flour.
If I am baking for a gluten free crowd, I use cassava flour as my preferred gluten free flour. Cassava flour has similar texture to regular flour and makes a great cake. You can also use oat flour or coconut flour. Let me know what you use in the comments below!
What Are Substitutions For Peanut Butter?
If you want to try something other than peanut butter there are some great substitutions! The peanut butter creates such good flavor and richness. The different options I suggest have equal flavor and deliciousness.
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It is so delicious, I even like to use it in brownies!
Almond butter is much more subtle in flavor but will create the same texture and still has great flavor.
Cashew butter is sweet and smooth, and is one of my favorite alternatives.
What Pan Should I Use?
I used an angel food pan because I like how the heat is evenly distributed. This cuts down on cook time and the cake turns out more moist. If you do not have one, using a normal round cake pan, or even a loaf pan works. Look for browning around your edges and a clean knife to check when done.
Ingredients For Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cake:
Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cake
- 3-4 bananas, mashed, about 2 full cups
- 1/4 cup peanut butter Smooth or chunky peanut butter will work! I used all natural brand that does not contain extra oils for this cake.
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter Unsalted butter is best since we add salt in.
- 1/2 cup white sugar White sugar helps sweeten and stabalize your cake.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar Dark brown sugar is preferred but light brown also works.
- 1 egg The egg is a binder.
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp almond extract The vanilla and almond extracts adds flavor.
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup plain flour (190 g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Directions To Make Peanut Butter Banana Cake:
Make the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350 F
In a bowl, combine the mashed bananas, sugar, peanut butter, and butter. Beat until smooth.
Add in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and beat for an additional minute to incorporate.
In a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
Slowly add the dry to wet, mixing with a spatula.
Pour your batter into your baking bundt pan.
Melt the Chocolate Swirl
In a small bowl, microwave 1/2 cup chocolate chips in 30 second increments. Stirring well between. Continue until all your chocolate is melted.
Mix in 1 Tbs of peanut butter to your melted chocolate.
Drizzle over your cake batter. Using a knife, swirl to lightly incorporate into the top of your batter.
Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife comes out clean from the center of your cake.