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Home Recipes by Type Desserts Cakes & Cupcakes

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

5
/5
2 hrs 55 mins
39 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 06/29/2012Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This banana cake is ultra-moist, flecked with chocolate chips, and topped with a thick layer of chocolate cream cheese frosting. It’s going to become a quick favorite!

Front view of frosted cake in pan with spatula lifting one piece out.

Bananas and chocolate, a match made in heaven, no? If you’re not convinced, try triple chocolate banana muffins or banana chocolate pudding dessert bites. 

This banana cake is one of my absolute favorite things that my mom makes. It is so very moist, and topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting…it is just perfect.

I featured it once before on my blog, without chocolate chips, in the form of cake pops. Another totally excellent combination is banana cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. Add walnuts, pecans, or even raisins to banana cake if you like. Top your cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. 

This banana cake is ultra-moist, flecked with chocolate chips, and topped with a thick layer of chocolate cream cheese frosting. It's going to become a quick favorite!

I took this one totally over the top.

Like…hurt your teeth over the top. But it’s good, really good.

I did think about making it with less frosting. I know, I can’t believe I just said that either. If you were making a layer cake with this recipe, the amount of frosting would probably be perfect. However, if you don’t have a HUGE sweet tooth, I’d suggest halving the frosting for a 9 x 13 -inch cake.

Ben agrees. My mother-in-law disagrees. I’m torn. I do love this frosting.

Overhead of frosted cake garnished with chocolate chips, along with small plates and forks and several bananas.

My mother in law said this was “the best cake and frosting she ever had.” And let me tell you–the woman is no cake novice. I consider this an expert opinion. I also ate waaaaay more than my fair share of this. My husband loved it. He kept calling it banana bread. I like that because it sounds healthier than it really is.

But I’m pregnant. So it’s cool. Jillian Michaels and I are going to be best buds come December.

Front view of a piece of cake on small white plate with fork, cake pan in background.

Looking for more over the top delicious chocolate desserts?

Here’s a few more recipes that you just have to try!

 

  • Flourless Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake (chocolate enhanced with cinnamon, vanilla, and chipotle)
  • Raspberry and Brownie Mini Trifles
  • Flourless Chocolate Cookies (better than brownies, I kid you not!)
  • No Churn Double Chocolate Ice Cream
  • Black Forest Dump Cake
  • No Bake Chocolate Tart (only 4 ingredients)
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies (ooey, gooey, eat with a fork brownies)

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Frosted cake in white cake pan with spatula lifting one piece out.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Banana Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

5 from 6 votes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Cooling Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins
1 cake
Print Rate Recipe
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This banana cake is ultra-moist, flecked with chocolate chips, and topped with a thick layer of chocolate cream cheese frosting. It's going to become a quick favorite!

Ingredients

For Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 medium-sized bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (make your own by adding 1 tablespoon white vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk, stir and let set for 2 minutes)
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

For Frosting

  • 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened (reduced-fat will work, I wouldn’t use fat-free)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons of milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 4 cups of powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)

Instructions

For Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add rest of ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat on low-speed until combined.
  • Increase to medium speed and blend for 3 minutes. Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Spread into a greased 9″x13″ baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean or with crumbs.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • For Frosting
  • In large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  • Add in cocoa powder and powdered sugar (one cup at a time) and continue to beat on low speed until frosting is smooth and to your desired consistency. Spread on cooled cake.

Notes

  • Due to the cream cheese in the frosting, this cake should be refrigerated.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g, Calories: 390kcal, Carbohydrates: 65g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 194mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 49g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. Angela says

    May 20, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    My husband said, “This is hands down, the greatest cake you have ever made.” I’ve made a lot of cakes. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 23, 2020 at 7:57 am

      Wow, what a compliment! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  2. Peter says

    March 10, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Very tasty and chocolatey treat Rachel good job :)

    Reply
  3. Malou says

    November 11, 2013 at 4:25 am

    I tried your recipe, it was just delicious !! It was hard not to eat everything in one day ! ;) I did them without the frosting and it was just fine that way ! I shared your recipe on my blog (in french).

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    September 10, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    I’m wondering if regular chocolate chips would be OK? I’ve already got them on hand. Would they be too weighty?
    Also, CRAP…I only have fat free cream cheese…here’s hoping…

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      September 11, 2012 at 8:23 am

      I think regular chocolate chips would probably work. Fat free cream cheese–probably…but it won’t be as delicious!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 12, 2012 at 3:18 am

        Hey, Rachel,

        It actually turned out pretty awesome! I think the chocolate chips were more likely to settle at the bottom, but it didn’t matter from bite to bite.
        The frosting was probably not AS good, but it was still fabulous. I probably only did about 2 cups powdered sugar because I’m not big on sweets…so it was a bit more tangy, but in a good way.
        Thanks for the recipe!

        Reply
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