Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream
DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my policy page!
Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream
This Banana Cake with Maple Buttercream is incredibly moist, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, and perfectly spiced. The maple buttercream adds a luxurious, creamy finish that pairs beautifully with the banana flavors. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just because you deserve a slice of something sweet, this Banana Cake is a crowd-pleaser. Gluten-free option.
What Makes This Vegan Banana Cake SO GOOD?
I’m a huge fan of anything with banana flavors, and pairing that with maple buttercream? It’s a dreamy combo! This Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream was inspired by my banana oatmeal sheet cake, but I decided to amp it up with three layers. Every bite is filled with that delicious banana goodness, and I can't wait for you to try it!
This beautiful, super moist banana cake is completely vegan and even has a gluten-free option. You can also make it as a single layer! This cake stands out for its incredible moistness + tenderness. It's perfect for any occasion and so easy to make.
In my kitchen, ripe bananas are always waiting to be turned into something delicious. And I've got a few other favorites up my sleeve, like the Crunchy Vegan Banana Bread, Biscoff Banana Pudding with Caramel, and these heavenly Homemade Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls. Be sure to also check out my 34 Delicious Banana Recipes roundup for all the banana goodness!
Jump to:
- What Makes This Vegan Banana Cake SO GOOD?
- Why You'll Love This Vegan Banana Cake
- How to Make Vegan Banana Cake
- Ingredients
- How To Make Maple Buttercream Frosting
- Tips For Making The Perfect Vegan Banana Cake
- How To Make Caramelized Bananas For Topping
- Why Are The Ingredients At Room Temp?
- How To Make Buttermilk
- Can I Use This Frosting for Other Desserts?
- How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Cake?
- How to Ripen Bananas for This Vegan Banana Cake Recipe?
- Vegan Banana Cake Recipe Q + A's
- More Delicious Comforting Banana Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream
Why You'll Love This Vegan Banana Cake
- It’s super fluffy, moist and beautifully textured.
- Delicious and comforting in every bite.
- Melt in your mouth goodness!
- Can be made as a traditional 2 or 3-layer cake, sheet cake, or cupcakes. Your choice!
- Not too sweet, but perfectly sweet at the same time.
- That whipped maple buttercream frosting is EVERYTHING.
How to Make Vegan Banana Cake
This is a straightforward cake recipe with wet ingredients, dry ingredients, and a cake pan. You can make several layers for a towering design, or make a large sheet cake if you prefer!
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make the best vegan banana cake:
- Cake flour. You can also use all-purpose flour if you don't have cake flour, but cake flour will give you a lighter texture.
- Bananas. Make sure to use super-ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor.
- Cane sugar. Use organic sugar to make sure it's vegan.
- Baking powder + soda. Acts as a leavening agent to create a fluffy texture.
- Spices. Use cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger for a warming flavor.
- Vanilla. Use pure vanilla extract for the best vanilla flavor.
- Almond milk + apple cider vinegar: Combine to create vegan buttermilk for moisture and tenderness. You can also use lemon juice. Feel free to use your fave plant based milk also.
- Vegan butter. I like to use Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks.
How To Make Maple Buttercream Frosting
The creamy, sweet and spiced buttercream frosting brings the moist banana cake recipe to life.
INGREDIENTS
Here's what you need to make the frosting:
- Powdered sugar. Make sure to use powdered sugar, not granulated sugar for a nice smooth and fluffy frosting.
- Butter. Make sure your vegan butter is softened to room temperature for the lightest frosting.
- Maple syrup. Make sure to use pure syrup, not imitation!
- Vanilla. Again pure is best!
- Cinnamon. Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the sweetness.
- Almond milk. Adjusts the frosting's consistency to achieve the desired thickness and creaminess. Try my homemade almond milk recipe!
SHOP MY FAVORITE BAKEWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES!
Here, I’ve curated a list of bakeware essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baking treats, especially with this Vegan Banana Cake. Everything from my fave baking sheets, parchment paper, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Tips For Making The Perfect Vegan Banana Cake
TIP #1: HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS
To make and decorate this banana cake, you'll need a hand-mixer, spatulas (big + small), piping bags + tips, correct baking pans and parchment paper.
TIP #2: COMBINE BAKING POWDER + ACID
The essential ingredient combos for a light, silky cake texture is baking powder with baking soda and an acid (usually vinegar or buttermilk if the cake calls for it). When acid and baking powder/baking soda reacts, it creates bubbles and helps to create a nice rise for your baked goods, leaving an airy texture.
TIP #3: SIFT!
One of my favorite tricks to a perfect cake has been to ensure that ALL of my dry ingredients are sifted. It's an extra step, but the results are a light, fluffy, and fully combined cake batter.
TIP #4: AVOID OVER-MIXING
When mixing your cake batter, it’s so important to add the dry ingredients and wet ingredients alternately. Then, as soon as everything is combined very well, STOP! Over-mixing creates a more dense cake
How To Make Caramelized Bananas For Topping
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsps of vegan butter and let melt. Add sliced bananas (2 medium bananas) and let cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Turn bananas over to opposite side and let cook and brown. Add in 2 Tbsps of maple syrup and ½ teaspoon of vanilla and gently stir in. Let bubble for 20-30 seconds before removing everything from heat. Let fully cool before topping on cake.
Why Are The Ingredients At Room Temp?
When it comes to ingredients, especially in baking, it’s always best to have cold ingredients at room temperature to ensure that the mixing process is more seamless and even. Please note that microwaving your butter last minute if you forget to leave it out at room temperature isn’t recommended. Microwaving often changes the consistency of the butter which doesn’t create a nice ‘creaminess’ when mixed.
How To Make Buttermilk
In a bowl, whisk together the milk (regular milk or plant-based works fine) and add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, and set aside for 5-10 minutes until everything "activates" to create the "buttermilk".
Can I Use This Frosting for Other Desserts?
This Maple buttercream on top of my Vegan Banana Cake is one of my favorite recipes on earth. It is nuts how simple, yet effectively delicious it is.
This buttercream goes perfectly with this banana cake, but it also goes well with any dessert you pair it with. After combining only a handful of ingredients, you get the best vegan frosting ever!
Feel free to pair your frosting with any of these desserts:
- Cinnamon rolls
- Cupcakes
- Whoopie pies
- Macaron
- Banana bread
- Brownies/blondies
- Other cakes
Keep this recipe in your arsenal and pair it with your favorite sweets!
How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Cake?
When it comes to making Vegan Banana Cake, the level of ripeness of your bananas matters. I've made my banana cakes with both types of bananas and to be honest, the VERY ripe bananas have made the BEST cakes.
Very ripe bananas make for a sweeter and more moist cake and the mashing is also a lot easier.
How to Ripen Bananas for This Vegan Banana Cake Recipe?
Have you ever had bananas that weren't fully ripe, but you were dying to get baking? Well, I totally understand. I've definitely been there. Luckily, I've come across a few hacks to help you ripen your bananas if you're in a pinch, and here's what you can do:
- Keep the banana bunches together to avoid the ripening process from stalling.
- Store your bananas in a warm place like near a heater or atop your refrigerator. This helps them to ripen faster.
- Using a paper bag, add your bananas inside and fold it over to close it. The gases from inside the bag once shut tight will ripen the bananas within 24-36 hours.
If you're looking to ripe your bananas more quickly for baking purposes then you can do one of the following:
- Oven Method: Preheat the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place bananas (with peels on) unto a baking sheet and let them bake for 15-20 minutes or until skins are black. The bananas at this point should be soft and sweet.
- Microwave Method: Poke holes into the peel bananas (all around) and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until the bananas are soft enough.
Vegan Banana Cake Recipe Q + A's
Keep cake leftovers stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container to keep the cake from drying out. You can also freeze the cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost the cake on the counter.
Yes! If you want to make this cake Gluten-Free, you can simply substitute flours with Bob's Red Mill's 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Just add an additional ¾ cup or so if needed; To use other GF flours such as coconut, almond, etc. just be sure to add 1 teaspoon of Xanthan gum.
Certainly! If you'd like to make cupcakes, simply follow the recipe as written. Instead of pouring the batter into cake pans, pour it into a cupcake tin with liners. Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.
Yes, you can use any dairy-free milk you like to make this vegan cake recipe.
This issue can occur for TWO reasons: the first being that you didn't allow the cake to cool enough before removing it. I always recommend letting it cool for at least 20-30 minutes before removing it and letting it cool completely on a cooling rack. Secondly, the issue could be that the pan wasn't greased well. I like to grease + add cake pan parchment paper to the bottom.
More Delicious Comforting Banana Recipes
Now that you've fallen in love with the bananas in this banana cake recipe, put them to good use with these other sweet banana recipes:
- Chocolate Espresso Smoothie
- Banana Chai Oatmeal Porridge
- Crunchy Vegan Banana Bread
- Maple Brown Butter Banana Waffles
- Vegan Banana Cake with Maple Buttercream
- Banana Carrot Cake Scones
- Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes
- Fluffy Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Easy Peanut Butter Banana Oats Smoothie
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Vegan Banana Cake + Maple Buttercream
Ingredients
BANANA CAKE:
- 3 cups Cake flour
- 3 Ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups organic cane sugar
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk!)
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ cup vegan butter, melted (See Notes!)
MAPLE BUTTERCREAM:
- 4-5 cups organic powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 cup vegan butter, softened at room temp.
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-2 Tbsps Almond milk
TOPPING:
- Caramelized bananas (See Notes!)
- Toasted chopped walnuts
Instructions
TO MAKE BANANA CAKE:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease (with butter) AND line with parchment paper the bottoms of TWO 8-inch cake pans or THREE 6-inch cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside for 5-10 minutes until everything "activates".
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger until combined.
- Add in the mashed bananas, milk-ACV mixture, melted butter, vanilla, and mix (using a hand-mixer) until just combined.
- NOTE: If the batter looks extremely thick, add extra milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s somewhat pourable but not runny or thin at all.
- Divide the batter evenly into each of the cake pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick or butter knife comes out clean when tested in the centers.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes or so before removing the cakes and placing them onto a cooling rack to fully cool. NOTE: Let them cool for at least 1-2 hours in a cool place.
TO MAKE MAPLE BUTTERCREAM:
- Simply beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer (or using a hand-mixer) on medium-high speed, until smooth and pale. Add in the powdered sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk, continuing to mix on medium-speed until you reach the desired consistency----smooth and fluffy. NOTE: Add more milk (1 tablespoon at a time if too thick) or powdered sugar (for more thickness).
ASSEMBLY:
- Place the first cake layer on your cake stand and evenly cover the top with buttercream. Now, top with 2nd layer and add more buttercream atop that layer. Finally, top with final layer and top with remaining buttercream, spreading it over the tops and sides of cake, evenly and thinly.
- Once fully frosted, add small little designs of the buttercream using a piping bag + tip or the cooled caramelized bananas (See Notes for Recipe). Chill for 5 minutes to ensure that buttercream sets.
- When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator. Slice and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Keep cake leftovers stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container to keep the cake from drying out. You can also freeze the cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Before serving, defrost the cake on the counter.
- FLOUR: If you don’t have cake flour, you can always just use all-purpose flour entirely instead.
- GF OPTION: If you want to make this cake Gluten-Free, you can simply substitute flours with Bob's Red Mill's 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Just add an additional ¾ cup or so if needed; To use other GF flours such as coconut, almond, etc. just be sure to add 1 teaspoon of Xanthan gum.
- OIL vs. BUTTER: Instead of vegan butter, you can also use Vegetable or Coconut oil, if preferred.
- CARAMELIZED BANANAS: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsps of vegan butter and let melt. Add sliced bananas (2 medium bananas) and let cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Turn bananas over to opposite side and let cook and brown. Add in 2 Tbsps of maple syrup and ½ teaspoon of vanilla and gently stir in. Let bubble for 20-30 seconds before removing everything from heat. Let fully cool before topping on cake.
-
WALNUTS: In a food processor, add walnuts and process until fully broke down into tiny bits. If larger chunks are preferred, feel free to lightly pulse.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!
Does this cake taste better w the vegan butter or coconut oil?
Hi Rebecca! It's all based on preference! Coconut oil has a slightly coconut flavor, which is subtle, however, I always love the taste of butter in my cakes. 🙂
If you don’t have shortening, is there a substitute?
I would love to make this but that’s the only ingredient missing!
Hi Alison,
No worries!! You can try using Vegan butter in the place of shortening. Instead of 1/4 cup, just use 1/2 cup of vegan butter at room temp. 🙂
This recipe looked so good and I was so exited to make it but it came out so gummy 🙁
I'm so sorry to hear that, Kim! What part of the cake did you have trouble with? Was it the cake texture itself or the buttercream?
Thanks, Shanika. I'm going to make this for my husband's birthday in March. But I might have to do a "test run" sooner, because, really, who can wait??
Hi. This looks gorgeous. Do you think I could make this gluten free with a 1-to-1 flour substitute like Bob's Red Mill? Thanks for featuring so many vegan recipes.
Hi Marsha! Thanks so much! Yes, you actually can! I would substitute the flour for the 1-to-1 Baking flour from Bob's Red Mill and maybe add an additional 3/4 cup or so flour if needed. It should be perfect! Be sure to let me know how it all turns out! 🙂
I love the decoration of the cake and rich buttercream. It would be the perfect cake for any celebration!
Yes, indeed! Thanks so much, Alina!
Making the cake right now. Love it from the first minute I started. I hope to get the same beauty and taste as yours 🙂
I do hope that you enjoy it, Irina! It's such a great flavor combo! 🙂
We loved the flavor of the brown butter frosting with the banana flavored cake! So good!
Yes, it's such a killer combo, Beth! Glad you loved it! 🙂
This cake looks and sounds divine. The combination of flavors and the caramelized banana on top just all sound so wonderful.
It's SO GOOD, Andrea! Thanks so much! 🙂
Loving the texture of this cake and the best part about it is that it's Vegan. That buttercream frosting looks delish
Thanks so much, Alisha! I'm definitely big on texture! It's SO GOOD!