The BEST Vegan Banana Cake

The BEST Vegan Banana Cake

Some food means more than others. If you're curious what I mean, sometimes food evokes emotion when we eat it. It takes us back to a special time in our lives, whether that's a memory of a loved one that used to make it for us, one that has passed away. It's something that will last forever in our memory. Those foods to me are the best and why I cook comfort foods, people seem to emotional connect to those more and I love when that memory pops up when they're eating what you make. This cake evokes a very special memory for me my mom. When I was growing up, my mom always HAD TO get a slice of Banana Cake from our local baker. One of her favorites, made vegan for everyone. Each bite reminds me of when we’d do our Saturday grocery shopping and reward ourselves with a little treat.

This recipe shows you how to make in my opinion, the BEST banana cake ever. Now that's a mighty big statement to make but I think it will hold up to its name. With its moist spongy cake, perfectly sweetened interior, paired with the luscious frosting...you can't go wrong! Enjoy this cake for any occasion, but perfect for birthdays. I know my kids love it and give it a thumbs up for approval. Pairs great by itself or along side vegan ice cream, if you’re feeling extra decadent. I hope it brings just as many happy memories as it did for my family, Enjoy!

*You can also enjoy this cake with other frosting flavors: chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, skies the limit. (More Frosting Recipes Below)*

The BEST Vegan Banana Cake

Ingredients

CAKE

1 1/3 cup mashed bananas (3-5, depending on the size of your bananas)
2 1/2 Tablespoons organic lemon juice, divided
1 1/2 cups vegan milk, I used Ripple half & half (it's a thicker/richer milk, if you don't have it try cashew or soy)
3 cups All-purpose flour
1/2 Tablespoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup vegan butter, softened
1 cup organic cane sugar
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
Egg substitute equal to = 3 eggs (I used The Vegg, but Follow Your Heart The Vegan Egg works well too)
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

FROSTING
(Makes: 3 cups)

-1/2 cup vegan butter, coconut oil or vegan shortening at room temperature
-1/2 cup vegan cream cheese, softened (Tofutti)
-3 cup powdered sugar
-1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Additional Info
(Links provided below for Different Frosting Recipes, they may have to be reduced by half to accommodate this recipe or if you like frosting in mass quantities, go crazy!)

Atraditional Vegan White Frosting. 

Go more decadent with a luscious Peanut Butter Frosting 

OR go cocoa crazy with Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Directions 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

Start by smashing your bananas. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, place the bananas in and turn the mixer on medium-high to mash the bananas. This is a very simply way to mash the bananas without making another bowl dirty and no effort on your part...best part!

Mashed Bananas

Next, add in 1 tablespoon lemon juice, set aside as well.

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice in a measuring cup. Top to 1 1/2 cups with vegan milk and set aside for when you need it later. This will look curdled, that's what you want.

Beat together the softened vegan butter, brown and white sugar until combined. Add in vegan egg substitute and vanilla next. Mix on high until light and fluffy (almost the texture of frosting, this is called creaming)

Once the mixture is creamed together, add in your bananas and mix to combine. 

In a separate medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda and salt.

You'll start combining everything now. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the vegan milk to creamed mixture stirring just until combined. (Do not overmix).

Banana Cake Batter

Put into the oven and Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Be sure to check half way through. If it's still soft in the middle at 60-70mins, give the cake another 5 mins and check, recheck until done. (do not over bake). When the cake it done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

In the stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the vegan butter/coconut oil, vanilla, and room temperature vegan cream cheese on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer to low (stir setting), add the sugar slowly (a little at a time, 1/2 cup increments), mix until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

When the cake is complete, keep its on your counter or better yet in your fridge, I love the texture it gets in the fridge when it solidifies a bit. Pair it with vegan milk or even better, vegan ice cream. Enjoy! 

-Amy