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Have you made a snack cake before?  They are a casual cake, typically with no frosting, and are served right from the pan (as opposed to removing, frosting, and decorating.)  I like to make a snack cake taste like a dessert, but also be acceptable as an afternoon snack.  A snack cake is somewhere between a cake and a quick bread, really tasty and worth a try if you haven’t made one before.

This recipe was inspired by American’s Test Kitchen, but I “healthified” it a bit.  If you have a few REALLY ripe bananas lying around (or sitting in your freezer dying to be used) this is the recipe for you.  I used a combination of butter and coconut oil when I made this cake, but it would be great with just coconut oil, or just butter (but a bit less healthy!)  I also added half chocolate chips and half unsweetened coconut, but if you aren’t a coconut fan, or just in the mood for more chocolate chips, substitute accordingly.

Chocolate Chip, Coconut, Banana Snack Cake

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 4 Tbs. butter, at room temperature
  • 4 Tbs. coconut oil, in liquid form
  • 2 cups flour (white, whole wheat or a combo of the 2)
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 VERY ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
  • 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease (I use coconut oil but you could use non stick spray or butter) an 8×8 inch pan.

Using a mixer beat together the sugar, butter, and oil until fluffy, 3-6 minutes.  While these are mixing whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and set aside.

When the sugar mixture is light and fluffy beat in the eggs, one at a time.  Beat in the bananas, milk, and vanilla.

When the wet ingredients are well mixed, whisk in the dry ingredients until no streaks remain.  Stir in chocolate chips and coconut.

Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs.  Let the cake cool for 2 hours before cutting.