Homestyle Vegan Banana Walnut Cake with Simple Frosting
This soft vegan banana walnut cake is the kind of comforting homemade dessert that feels like it came straight from a family kitchen. Very ripe bananas give the cake natural sweetness and moisture, while chopped walnuts add a warm, nutty crunch in every bite. The cake bakes into a tender, fluffy texture and is topped with a simple, creamy frosting that melts slightly into the warm cake.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Servings
- 9
- Calories
- 260
- Protein
- 4g
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 10.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 10.5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp plant milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or vegan butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts for topping
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- 2
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until they are smooth and creamy.
- 3
Add the brown sugar, vegetable oil, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir until everything is well combined.
- 4
Sprinkle in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, then gently mix until the batter comes together and no dry flour remains.
- 5
Fold in the chopped walnuts, stirring just enough to spread them throughout the batter.
- 6
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- 7
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top looks lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 8
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes.
- 9
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, plant milk, maple syrup (or vegan butter), and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- 10
Spread the frosting over the slightly warm cake so it gently melts into the top.
- 11
Sprinkle extra chopped walnuts over the frosting, then slice the cake into squares and serve.
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