Easy Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
This easy gluten-free banana cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting is light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with cane sugar. Made with almond flour and ripe bananas, it’s the perfect cake for birthdays, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat. The rich, creamy frosting makes it a favorite for any special occasion.
This gluten-free banana cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting is one of my go-to recipes for special occasions and everyday sweet cravings. The combination of ripe bananas, almond flour, and cane sugar gives the cake a perfectly light and fluffy texture, while keeping it gluten-free and naturally sweetened.
The rich, creamy chocolate frosting takes it to another level, making every bite feel special. It’s the kind of cake I love to make for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or even as a sweet afternoon treat after a busy day. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just want a simple dessert to enjoy with family, this banana cake is sure to be a hit. It’s so easy to put together, yet it delivers all the flavor and satisfaction of a more complex recipe.
Can I make a gluten-free dairy-free banana cake from this banana cake recipe?
Yes, you can use dairy-free cream cheese, dairy-free butter, and nut milk in this versatile banana cake recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Cake Recipe
- Gluten-Free Goodness: Made with almond flour, this cake is light, fluffy, and gluten-free, perfect for everyone to enjoy.
- Naturally Sweetened: The sweetness comes from ripe bananas and cane sugar, creating a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Rich Chocolate Frosting: Creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting adds a decadent touch to every bite.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and quick steps make this cake perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to weeknight treats.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting gluten-free chocolate frosted banana cake recipe:
Overripe Bananas: You’ll want to very ripe bananas with brown spots on the peel for the mashed bananas.
Almond Flour: You can use oat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten-free flour blends as a substitute, but the texture and flavor may vary slightly. You may need to adjust the amount for the same consistency. Be careful not to use almond meal which is different than almond flour.
Cane Sugar: You can substitute cane sugar with white sugar, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.
Light Olive Oil: You can replace it with melted coconut oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, or melted butter.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Lemon juice or white vinegar can be used instead of apple cider vinegar.
Large Eggs: You can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) or commercial egg replacers for a vegan option.
Baking Powder: Make sure to use gluten-free baking powder if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
Ground Cinnamon: This enhances the banana flavor. You can omit it or replace it with pumpkin pie spice.
Salt: Use any other salt you have on hand, such as sea salt or kosher salt.
Cream Cheese: To make this dairy-free, you can use dairy-free cream cheese.
Butter: Use vegan butter or margarine for a dairy-free option.
Cocoa Powder: Carob powder or cacao powder can be used instead.
Powdered Cane Sugar: You can also use regular powdered sugar or powdered coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor.
Almond Milk: You can use regular milk or any nut milk.
How to Make My Almond Flour Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Here are easy, step-by-step instructions to make an almond flour banana cake:
Step 1: Make the Banana Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
Add the wet ingredients, including bananas, cane sugar, oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract, to an upright blender, food processor, electric mixer, or large mixing bowl with an immersion blender. Blend until well combined.
Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients, including almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and whisk until just combined.
Step 2: Bake the Banana Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until the top begins to turn a light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack completely before adding the frosting.
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
Add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
Gradually add the powdered cane sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
Slice and serve the cake, and enjoy the moist and delicious gluten-free treat!
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosted Banana Cake Recipe Notes
Ripe Bananas: Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness in the cake. You can mash them with a fork but blending them makes for a smoother cake batter.
Baking Time: Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cake and check for doneness with a toothpick.
Cooling: For best results, allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, you can thin it out with a little milk or cream. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Banana Cake Serving Suggestions:
This healthier banana cake would taste delicious in the following ways:
- with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream
- with chopped pecans or almonds on top
- with mini chocolate chips added to the batter
- with a drizzle of chocolate sauce over the cake
- with a dollop of whipped cream on top of the frosting
Do you love quick breads? Check out more of my easy and nutritious snack bread recipes:
Easy Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
Banana Cake:
- 2 bananas (medium size)
- 2/3 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup oil (light olive is my fave)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 3-1/4 cups almond flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 12 ounces cream cheese (1-1/2 blocks)
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk (almond milk is my fave)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-1/2 cup powdered cane sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 inch cake pan with parchment paper.Add the wet ingredients, including bananas, cane sugar, oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract, to an upright blender, food processor, electric mixer, or large mixing bowl with an immersion blender. Blend until well combined.Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk until well combined.Add the dry ingredients, including almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and whisk until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until the top begins to turn a light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack completely before adding the frosting.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.Gradually add the powdered cane sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
Video
Kids were able to whip this out by themselves super quick before friends came over. Their one gluten free friend was *so* happy, and so were all the others!
That is so cute, Jennie! Thank you for sharing this with me 🙂
I am not a huge fan of banana-flavored anything, but this cake is AMAZING. The chocolate frosting adds the perfect touch it’s like I’m eating a chocolate covered banana in cake form! Definitely recommend.
First time trying it with chocolate frosting! It was light and yummy!!! Great recipe
Hi Dolores, I’m so glad you love the chocolate frosting! 🙂
I had some ripe bananas so this recipe came at the perfect time! We added almonds on top and it was a hit!!
Yumm, almonds sound delicious! Thank you for sharing, Veronica 🙂
I have to keep reminding myself this is gluten free it tasles better than my old banana cake, I have to try the banana bread next
Hi Mina, thank you for the feedback! If you love this banana cake recipe, I am confident you will love the banana bread, too!