I just love to give the banana cake a facelift every once in a while, and this was one of them.
These coconut chocolate chip banana bars are amazing, just decadently over the top delicious.
I can't stress enough that you can change a plain ordinary recipe into a gourmet bar with just a few toppings and overripe bananas.
Coconut and chocolate just complement this banana cake and it needed nothing more.
These actually will become addicting to all coconut lovers out there, especially if you love the famous mounds bars.
I didn't add any nuts to this recipe, but will give you plenty of alternative options for dressing up this ancient 1960-something recipe into a whole new one!!
Scroll down to the recipe card and start making one of the easiest and tastiest ways to use up those ugly bananas that are overripe and make the best cake ever!
Plain or All Decked Out?
These can be frosted, plain, or all decked out with some suggestions below.
Mom loved them plain unfrosted just like dad wanted also.
We love them plain and it's what we grew up on, either way, these are the perfect dessert any time of the day.
Sweets for the Sweet
My kids are lovers of coconut and chocolate and that was one of mom's favorite candy bars.
I just wished I thought about this combination while she was still alive, she would have gone crazy for these bars.
She would just love how the coconut is toasted on top as these are baked, you can add it to the batter also if you prefer.
Basic Banana Cake
This isn't anything special, just a plain ole banana cake, made from scratch with overripe bananas.
But guess what? I made this simple old-fashioned scratch cake into a gourmet cake bar!
Just by adding some simple toppings, this bar will transform into so many new cake experiences!
A 1960s recipe made with the same ingredients, just with different toppings.
How easy is that?
If you love mounds bars and almond joys, this cake is an excellent choice of desserts with a moist banana cake and you can even add toasted almonds if you love nuts!
Ingredients Needed
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- mashed banana
- vanilla extract
- flour
- baking soda
- salt
- Frosting
- butter
- cream cheese
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- unsweetened cocoa powder
Topping Suggestions
- whole pecans or any chopped or sliced nuts
- chocolate chips
- coconut
- dried fruits chopped
- maraschino cherries
- candy bars chopped
- peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips or toffee chips
- funfetti sprinkles
- your favorite frosting, chocolate, vanilla, cream cheese
Batter
- If you have all the bananas mashed thoroughly, this batter doesn't need lots of mixing.
- Just blend the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and evenly blend together.
- Then top with the ingredients you prefer or fold them in gently.
- Don't overbeat this batter it will become rubbery,
- Also, test with a toothpick so you don't overbake it.
Tips
- Use overly ripe, black bananas (previously frozen are great) for moist bread and plenty of banana flavor and moist banana cake
- Mash bananas with a mixer first, for the best results
- Soften the butter first for an evenly blended batter
- Use parchment paper for easy release or a heavily greased pan
- Any types of toppings are delicious on this cake or leave it plain for those who aren't fond of sugar
More Recipes We Love
Zucchini bread regular or chocolate
Coconut Cream Poke Cake
Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix Cake
Cake Mix Banana Cake
Banana Sour Cream Bars
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
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Potluck? Dinner Parties?
Yes and yes to both, perfect for potlucks, dinner parties, get-togethers, game day desserts.
Trust me on this one the guys and gals love these bars, the kids will go nuts over them and you will be so glad
you made these coconut chocolate chip banana cake bars.
Psst, print off the recipe and pass it around, they're going to ask you for it, isn't vintage recipes the best?
Frosted Banana Cakes
Yield: 25
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 35 Mtotal time: 45 M
This is a basic banana cake made from scratch and simple pantry ingredients, Very versatile with additions like chocolate chips, coconut, chopped dried fruits, nuts and so much more!
ingredients:
- Banana Cake
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups mashed banana
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- Optional: 1 cup of pecans or any chopped nuts,, chocolate chips, coconut or a combination of any of these suggestions, dried fruits chopped,, maraschino cherries, candy bars chopped, and peanut butter chips, you can also use assorted colored funfetti sprinkles on top
- Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 8 oz package of cream cheese
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Optional: 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate frosting
- Cream together till smooth in mixing bowl. Spread over cooled cake squares.
- Top with whole pecans. Makes 3 dozen.
instructions:
How to cook Frosted Banana Cakes
- Cake Instructions
- Cream sugar and butter together, beating around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Beat in eggs and banana's along with flavoring.
- Mix until blended evenly. Fold in any optional ingredient toppings or just sprinkle them on the top of the batter.
- Pour into a parchment-lined baking pan,15x10 inch x 1-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees till brown and set around 25 to 35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Cut into squares and frost.
Calories
275
275
Fat (grams)
26
26
Sat. Fat (grams)
16
16
Carbs (grams)
22
22
Net carbs
16
16
Sugar (grams)
22
22
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Don't Forget to Try My Other Favorites
Oreo Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies
Peanut Butter Graham Stuffed Brownies
Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Brownies
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2020.