Chocolate Banana Dream Cake Loaf with Chocolate Walnut Frosting has everything dreamy you could ever imagine in a very decadent cake loaf and we can't even stop being dreamy about it!
The ultimate chocolate loaf has just the right amount of banana and chocolatey depth to make it super moist and luxurious in every sense of the word. We even added in some mini chocolate chips and topped it off with a fudgy chocolate frosting with walnuts!
One thick slice is the perfect serving of decadent indulgence, from my standpoint. I could always go for more, so don't tempt me. I'm pretty much a dare-devil when it comes to chocolate, and this cake is one of those desserts that tempt me beyond my moderation point.
I'll have to admit, it's one of the best loafs I've ever made with ripe bananas, but then again, I'm extra partial to anything that has chocolate attached to it. Plus, I'm a huge fan of walnuts, chocolate and banana together as well.
You are more than welcome to not add the frosting portion, but it's certainly yum-worthy of having it, especially with the walnuts.
Also, add walnuts into the loaf as well, if you wish. I didn't have enough when I made this loaf, but if you love walnuts in brownies, then by all means, add, add away into the loaf batter!
Simple Tips for Quick Breads
Most quick breads and cakes taste better the next day after they've had time to set and breathe in all the lovely ingredients, making it more moist and full of flavor. Have you ever noticed this? Especially with banana and pumpkin breads!
I find if I sample cake or bread right after it comes out of the oven, it just doesn't have the flavors your taste-buds were expecting. Like cookies, only reverse order. Cookies taste best out of the oven, hot and melty, according to most! See where I'm coming from? 🙂
I usually bake my quick bread and then serve it the next day. I would also frost it the next day too. I hope you enjoy this loaf and let me know how you like it! Happy Baking!
For other chocolate banana recipes you'll love these!
Double Dark Chocolate Banana Snack Cake (We can’t stop eating it!)
Easy Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Chunky Monkey Peanut Butter Cup Banana Blondies
Chocolate Banana Muffins
Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread
Perfect Banana Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Banana Dream Cake Loaf with Chocolate Walnut Frosting
Ingredients
Chocolate Banana Bread
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups mashed bananas about 3 medium bananas
- 1 large egg OR ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup canola oil
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips I used mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Chocolate Walnut Frosting
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ to ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ to 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk of choice
- Pinch of salt
- Walnuts
- Optional: Chocolate Chips
Instructions
Chocolate Banana Bread
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9" x 5" loaf pan or line with parchment and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, oil, sugar, egg or applesauce, and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Bake for 55-65 mins or until a cake tester comes out mostly clean.
- Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 mins, turn out and cool completely on wire rack.
- Make frosting.
Chocolate Walnut Frosting
- Using a mixer, in a medium-sized bowl, beat softened butter, then add in the cocoa powder and beat until combined. Add in the powdered sugar, milk and salt and mix to get frosting consistency wanted.
- Frost top of cake with offset spatula and and then sprinkle some walnuts and chocolate chips on top. Slice and serve when ready to devour!
Kim Lange says
Thank you so much Bella for trying! I am so happy you want to try it again with different options! You sound like me, I love trying new options for the next time! 😉
Bella says
This is a very rich banana bread/cake. Perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings. You know you have a hit when your mom (who didn’t grow up eating desserts and therefore doesn’t crave desserty-things or even like them) absolutely LOVES it!
I used organic wheat flour (1 c) and therefore added 1/2 c of almond milk to the recipe so it wouldn’t dry out. I used dark chocolate and semi sweet chocolate chips and walnuts. It was vegan so applesauce was perfect. I was too afraid to sub-out all the oil with applesauce for fear I’d taste too much apple so I just did the 3/4c vegetable oil. Came out brilliant. I may try using more applesauce next time — I don’t like using too much oil in my baking and it usually doesn’t mess up the taste if u go 50/50. Thankfully, I’ve got breakfast for the week!
Great recipe — can’t wait to do it again… maybe with white chocolate chips and/or marshmallows LOL!
Kim Lange says
Thank you so much Lionie! I appreciate your preference to reduce the chocolate chips if you want to taste the cake more. I'm so glad to hear you tried it and your very kind review with your modifications. 🙂
Lionie says
Tried this recipe and it turned out great! Super chocolatey but you can still taste the banana. I reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup since the banana already sweet enough. And for me, I would reduce the chocochip by half or 3/4 since I want to taste the cake batter more 😁 Super moist and dense... Love it! Best after 2 days for me, the flavor blends perfectly. Thanks a lot!
Kim Lange says
Hi Karen! I apologize, it's baking powder and it's updated. I hope you love it as much as we did! It's amazing! xo
KareN says
Hi
I’m a little confused with the instructions. The ingredients are 2 teaspoons of baking powder but the instructions say baking soda. Which is it? I can’t wait to make this. Sounds absolutely yummy!
Laura says
Oh, Kim, you and I would make so much trouble in a chocolate factory! I can never get enough chocolate! I’m not sure of what things I WOULDN’T add it to! Banana bread! Of course, brilliant. And that frosting? Just give me the bowl. Yummy recipe!
Kim Lange says
Thank you so much Davorka! Definitely does take the blues away...woohoo!
2pots2cook says
banana loaf loaded with chocolate ? Dear Kim, it takes the blues away !
Kim Lange says
I hear you! That frosting is epic! Thank you so much Valentina!
Valentina says
Amazing! My only concern though, is that I'd eat too much of that delicious frosting and it wouldn't make its way to the cake. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange says
I'm sure you would love it Kelly! Thank you so much! xo
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
This chocolate banana cake definitely looks like a dream!! The sound of chocolate walnut frosting has me drooling!! I can’t wait to make this!! Pinning!
Kim Lange says
Thank you so much Catherine! I want to eat it all, but I don't dare! It's totally addictive! 😉 Good thing I have family that will happily take it! 🙂
Catherine says
Oh my, this cake loaf looks just marvelous and dreamy indeed! That thick layer of frosting is calling my name, and I just love this flavor combination so much!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Dream cake is right! This looks sooo good--I'd love a huge slice with my coffee right now!