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+ servings
chocolate peanut butter banana cake cut into square slices on a white marble table.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cake

Mimi Council
Simple and classic banana cake is topped with a creamy and silky chocolate ganache frosting with the addition of peanut butter and caramel!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 8 servings
Calories 674 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital Food Scale
  • Hand Mixer (or stand mixer)
  • 8x8-inch Baking Pan (square or round)
  • Parchment Paper Cake Rounds
  • Heatproof Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
 
 

Frosting

  • 226 grams dark chocolate
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 57 grams caramel sauce
  • 28 grams peanut butter

Batter

  • 57 grams vegetable shortening (softened)
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 113 grams cane sugar
  • 113 grams light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large banana (very ripe)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 255 grams all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions
 

  • To make the frosting: In a heat proof bowl, melt the dark chocolate and heavy whipping cream together. You can do this in a double boiler, or in the microwave. If using the microwave, only do 30 second intervals and stir between each one to prevent chocolate from burning.
  • Add in the caramel sauce and peanut butter and stir to combine completely.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let set on the counter for at least 2 hours. Or, you can place in the fridge to speed up process. If you plan to make in the day before, store in the fridge until ready to use.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
  • To make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, add the shortening, canola oil, cane sugar, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low with a hand mixer until combined and there are no butter chunks.
  • Add the banana, eggs, flour, baking powder, and sea salt in that order. Mix on low until combined.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the cake pan.
  • If you let the ganache set out at room temperature for just a few hours, you can stir it up with a spatula. If you let it set in the fridge (or overnight), it will probably need to be whipped up using a stand or hand mixer to get it nice and fluffy as it may be too hard to spread out without whipping up first.
  • Spread the frosting over the top of the cake.

Video

Notes

Tips
  • Always weigh ingredients for the best results.
  • Take note of the size of your banana, if you have a smaller one you may need a little less baking time. For a larger one you may need a little more as bananas add moisture.
  • You can use an 8-inch square pan or round pan, I've made this both ways.
  • For the chocolate ganache frosting, you can use dark chocolate pieces (like I did), dark chocolate chips, or even use a chopped up chocolate bar.
  • Be sure to store this cake in an airtight container in the fridge because it has chocolate ganache frosting.
  • Gluten Free — Replace the all purpose flour for 255 grams (1 ⅔ cups) gluten free flour blend.
  • High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 674kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 9gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 318mgPotassium: 378mgFiber: 4gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 702IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 5mg
Want more recipes?Follow along on @mimisorganiceats for more inspiration!