Meal Type » Desserts » Gluten Free Banana Cake

Gluten Free Banana Cake

Name: Gluten Free Banana Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 cup pureed banana (about 2-3 very ripe large bananas); 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons oil (I use avocado, any neutral oil works); 2/3 cup granulated sugar (I like half light brown half white, but any kind works!); 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used almond, any kind works); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 ounces plain cream cheese (room temperature); 1/4 cup butter (room temperature); 2-3 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup cocoa powder* (see notes); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed); small pinch salt

Claire Cary

5 from 32 votes

August 18, 2023

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This gluten free banana cake is a one bowl recipe that only takes about 10 minutes of prep! With a light, moist and fluffy texture, the perfect banana flavor with hints of cinnamon and finished off with a simple chocolate cream cheese frosting.

gluten free banana cake cut into slices with walnuts on top

I am on a major cake kick. I have over 10 other gluten free cake recipes on my list and will be spending the next several months testing and perfecting and share all of them!

First up, this gluten free banana cake. It’s not like banana bread which is pretty dense. This cake is light, fluffy, moist but still has the perfect banana flavor. With hints of cinnamon and a bit of chocolate from the frosting. Ohmygosh so good and even dairy free!

This recipe makes the perfect amount if you’re feeding a small group or just want something sweet to enjoy throughout the week! Before we get started, just make sure your bananas are ripe. Same goes if you’re making my banana bread cookies!

They should be brown and spotty which means they’re naturally sweet since this recipe doesn’t have a ton of added sugar. Just the right amount! If you love this recipe, try my banana bread cookies, gluten free bundt cake or red velvet marble cake next!

How to make gluten free banana cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray and line the bottom of an 8×8 baking pan and set aside. Spraying and lining will ensure the cake slides right out when it’s done baking.

Add the bananas to your blender and puree. Measure out 1 cup worth in a measuring cup.

For some reason, even if the banana hits the 1 cup mark on your blender, actually measure out 1 cup in a proper measuring cup, mine never end up the same! Go by what your measuring cup says, not your blender.

Also, be sure to actually puree the banana, don’t mash it! Pureeing will give the cake a light, fluffy and airy texture whereas mashing the banana can make it dense and gummy.

whisking the cake batter in a glass bowl

Add the pureed banana to a large bowl with all wet ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer.

Add in the dry ingredients, making sure to spoon and level the flour. Beat just until combined.

Transfer to your pan and bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then flip onto a cooling rack, peel off the parchment paper on the bottom and let cool completely. If you want to speed up the process, stick it in the fridge for about 90 minutes. Try my banana bread bars next!

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before and after the banana cake getting baked

Ingredient swaps & variations

SUGAR. You can use any kind of granulated sugar you want in this recipe, such as coconut for a refined sugar free option. I used half white, half light brown, but if you use coconut keep in mind the color of the cake will be darker.

OIL. You can use any kind of neutral flavored oil here. Vegetable, refined avocado, refined coconut oil (melted) or even swap for butter. Butter will yield a slightly denser texture, but will add a really nice flavor.

FLOUR. You only need gluten free all purpose flour for this recipe. I used the Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour, which I recommend. If you use a different blend, just make sure it has xanthan gum! I do not recommend oat, almond, coconut or other alternative flours here. If you want something with oat flour, try my oat flour banana bread or oat flour cake.

MILK. I used almond milk because that is what I usually have on hand, but any kind of milk works, either dairy or non-dairy.

gluten free banana cake with chocolate frosting on a wire rack

Can I make it vegan?

I haven’t tested this recipe with any sort of egg replacer so I’m not sure how it would turn out! I would be inclined to use either more banana or a store bought egg replacer.

Flax eggs aren’t great because they don’t provide any rise to the cake, which you need for the fluffy texture. You can instead try my gluten free vegan banana cake. However, this cake is naturally dairy free, just use dairy free butter and cream cheese for the frosting.

gluten free banana cake on a plate with a bite taken out

Does it keep?

Once prepared and frosted, this gluten free banana cake will store for about 3-5 days at room temperature. I like to store it in a glass container with the lid very slightly ajar. Because the frosting contains cream cheese and butter, it can get a bit too moist if left in a completely air tight container. You can also store it in the fridge, but the cake will get a bit firm so keep that in mind.

You can also freeze the gluten free cake after it bakes and cools before your frost it! Just wrap very tightly in plastic wrap (once totally cool), then wrap again and freeze for up to 1 month. Let thaw and then frost and enjoy!

gluten free banana cake on a wire rack to show texture

Other cake recipes to try!

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