Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a dessert that manages to be easy, wholesome, and downright irresistible, and that’s exactly what you’ll find with this Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake. This cozy, one-bowl treat packs in the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, luscious chocolatey richness, and a wonderfully moist crumb—without butter or oil! If you’re looking for a cake that’s perfect for snacking, sharing, or even sneaking a piece for breakfast, this is the recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Each ingredient comes together seamlessly to create a cake that tastes far more indulgent than it actually is—and I promise, you won’t miss the added fat one bit!

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of readily available pantry staples, you can whip up this delightful Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake in no time. Every ingredient plays its part, bringing flavor, texture, and just the right amount of sweetness—so let’s talk about what makes each one special!

• Bananas (very ripe): The riper, the better—those brown spots mean added natural sweetness and rich banana flavor that makes the cake ultra-moist.
• Granulated sugar: Gives the cake that classic sugary sweetness and balances out the cocoa’s intensity.
• Brown sugar: Brings a warm, caramel-like nuance and an extra bit of chewiness to the crumb.
• Applesauce (no sugar added): This is the star ingredient that helps keep the cake moist, tender, and lighter—no oil or butter needed!
• Water: Simply loosens up the batter, making sure everything comes together just right.
• White vinegar: A touch of acidity helps the baking soda activate for maximum fluffiness, but don’t worry—you won’t taste it!
• All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone for your cake, giving it shape and just enough structure.
• Unsweetened baking cocoa: Delivers deep, decadent chocolate flavor without being too sweet.
• Baking soda: Works hand-in-hand with the vinegar for beautiful lift and a tender crumb.
• Salt: A pinch is all you need to enhance every other flavor in the pan.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided): Melty pockets of chocolate scattered throughout the batter and on top for those gorgeous, gooey bites.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Before you get started on mixing, set the scene for baking success by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab an 8×8-inch baking dish and give it a good mist of non-stick cooking spray so your finished Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake slides out with ease. This little prep step means you’ll spend less time worrying about cake sticking and more time enjoying every last slice.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, peel and mash your very ripe bananas until there are no big chunks left—aim for a fairly smooth consistency. Their natural sugars and moisture are the not-so-secret reason this cake turns out so incredibly soft and flavorful.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients and Sugars

Into the bowl with the mashed bananas, add both the granulated sugar and brown sugar, followed by the applesauce, water, and that little splash of white vinegar. Stir everything together until it’s nicely blended—the mixture will smell amazing already, thanks to the bananas and brown sugar.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

Now, sprinkle in the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined and you don’t see streaks of flour; over-mixing can lead to a denser cake, so a gentle touch is perfect here. You’ll start to see a deep chocolate batter come together—so tempting to lick the spoon!

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in half of your chocolate chips (about 1/3 cup), dispersing those melty morsels throughout the batter. Save the rest for a final sprinkle on top, which gives every bite a bit of extra chocolatey goodness and a gorgeous finish.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your greased baking dish, then evenly sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 33 to 37 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few sticky crumbs. Let it cool in the pan before slicing—trust me, the anticipation is worth it!

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake

Garnishes

I love dressing up slices of Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few banana slices fanned on top for a striking visual touch. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate is perfect if you want to make dessert feel extra special, especially if you’re serving guests or celebrating.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or low-fat frozen yogurt for a classic chocolate-banana combination that’s always a crowd-pleaser. For a fresh, light accompaniment, a simple fruit salad made with berries and citrus brightens up each bite and balances the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the cake into bite-sized squares and serving them on a platter as party-ready snack cakes, or layer cubes of Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake in parfait glasses with yogurt and sliced fruit for a playful, stunning dessert. You can even freeze the slices and dip them in melted chocolate for a fun twist on cake pops!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, leftover Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake stores beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The cake stays moist, thanks to the applesauce and bananas, and I think it gets even more flavorful by day two.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead or save some for later, this recipe freezes exceptionally well. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months, ready for a quick chocolate fix at any time!

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked texture, pop a slice in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. If you’ve frozen your cake, let it thaw at room temperature or give it a gentle zap in the microwave—just long enough for those chocolate chips to get wonderfully melty again.

FAQs

Can I make Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. Just be sure to check that all mix-ins are certified gluten-free as well. The cake’s moist texture holds up great, even with alternative flours.

Can I use sweetened applesauce?

You can, but the cake will turn out a bit sweeter. I prefer unsweetened applesauce to let the banana and chocolate flavors shine, but if you only have the sweetened variety on hand, just reduce the granulated sugar slightly.

How ripe should the bananas be?

For the very best Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake, use bananas that are deeply spotted or nearly black. The riper the banana, the more natural sugars you’ll get, which means extra moisture and unbeatable flavor in every bite.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Of course! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a great crunch, and you can also try stirring in dried berries or a handful of shredded coconut for a fun twist. Just keep the total mix-ins to about a half cup.

What if I don’t have an 8×8-inch pan?

No worries! You can use a 9-inch round cake pan or even double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan—just keep an eye on the baking time and start checking for doneness a few minutes early or late as needed.

Final Thoughts

Once you taste this Chocolate Banana Applesauce Cake, I know you’ll be as smitten as I am. It’s impossibly moist, rich in chocolate, and delightfully easy to whip up—making it just perfect for any day of the week. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, I hope this cake brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine!

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