Banana Cake With Chocolate–Nutella Frosting
September 8, 2025
Banana meets chocolate in one dreamy cake.
Banana Cake with Chocolate–Nutella Frosting is a dessert that’s all about comfort and fun. The cake bakes up super moist from ripe bananas and buttermilk, while the Chocolate–Nutella Frosting brings a creamy, chocolatey layer that makes every bite memorable. Topped with sprinkles and mini chocolate chips, this Banana Cake with Chocolate–Nutella Frosting is perfect for birthdays, parties, or anytime you’re craving something sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and flavorful banana cake that bakes up soft every time
- Rich and creamy Chocolate–Nutella Frosting that pairs perfectly with the banana base
- Fun toppings like sprinkles and mini chocolate chips for extra texture and color
- Simple ingredients with an easy step-by-step method anyone can follow
- Banana Cake with Chocolate–Nutella Frosting is perfect for birthdays, parties, or weeknight desserts
Ingredient Notes
- Yellow cake mix – using a box mix makes the base quick and foolproof, while still leaving room for doctoring with bananas and buttermilk.
- Ripe bananas – the riper, the better! They add natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
- Buttermilk – keeps the crumb tender and adds a slight tang. If you don’t have it, you can make a quick substitute with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
- Nutella – gives the frosting a smooth, chocolate-hazelnut flavor that pairs beautifully with bananas.
- Cocoa powder – deepens the chocolate taste and balances the sweetness of the Nutella.
- Sprinkles and mini chocolate chips – optional, but they add extra fun and texture on top.
Before You Bake
Do I have to use buttermilk in the banana cake?
Buttermilk makes the cake extra tender and adds flavor, but if you don’t have any, you can use regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
How ripe should my bananas be?
The best bananas for banana cake are very ripe with brown spots all over the peel. They mash smoothly and add the most natural sweetness and moisture.
Can I cut the frosting recipe in half?
Yes! The full recipe makes enough to frost and pipe a border. If you’re skipping the border, cut the frosting ingredients in half.
Banana Cake With Chocolate–Nutella Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 4–6 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ cup Nutella
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles (for topping)
- Mini chocolate chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or two 8-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Add the cake mix, eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 25–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- While the cake cools, make the frosting: beat the butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar, heavy cream, Nutella, and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, adding more cream if needed for a smooth consistency.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake, reserving about 1 cup to pipe a border if desired. Use a large shell tip to pipe the edges.
- Finish by adding sprinkles and mini chocolate chips to the border, if desired. Slice and serve!
FAQ
Can I bake this Banana Cake with Chocolate–Nutella Frosting in a Bundt pan?
Yes, just adjust the baking time to about 40–50 minutes and check with a toothpick for doneness.
Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake the cake, let it cool, and store it tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days before frosting.
Can I freeze banana cake?
Yes. Wrap the unfrosted cake in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.
Can I use a different frosting instead of Nutella?
Definitely. Cream cheese frosting or classic chocolate buttercream both pair well with banana cake.
How do I store leftovers?
Store frosted cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Sprinkle of Fun
Imagine bringing this Banana Cake with Chocolate–Nutella Frosting to the table at a casual family get-together. Cards are being shuffled, someone’s laughing so hard they can’t breathe, and slices of cake are disappearing faster than the deck can be dealt. It’s the kind of dessert that makes sweet moments even sweeter.
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