Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut Free and suitable for Vegans and vegetarians
In the heat of the summer, when bananas ripen quicker than we can get around to eating them, it's the perfect time to turn them into something delicious and simple. Drum roll ..... Enter: our Vegan and Gluten-Free Banana Bread! This versatile recipe is not only a fantastic way to use up those overripe bananas but also serves as a base for endless flavour experimentation, suitable for the dietary needs of the whole family.
Why Banana Cake?
Bananas are a wonderful ingredient in baking. They add natural sweetness, moisture, and a delightful flavour to cakes. Overripe bananas are especially good for baking because their sugars are more developed, making them perfect for creating rich and moist cakes without the need for excessive added sugars.
A Base for Experimentation
One of the joys of baking this banana bread is its adaptability. I often look around my cupboard to see what needs to be used up and throw it in to see what happens. From chocolate chips to seeds, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of superfood powders, the possibilities are endless. This approach not only helps reduce waste but also allows you to create a treat that you and your family will love and be proud of.
Why You'll Love This Banana Cake
The Perfect Texture: This banana cake is moist, soft, and squishy. Even without gluten or eggs, it maintains a tender crumb and satisfying texture.
Caramelised Edges: The natural sugars in bananas and the addition of coconut sugar help create beautifully caramelised edges, adding extra flavour and a delightful crunch.
Aesthetic Appeal: Who doesn't love a nicely domed cake? This recipe ensures a tall, beautifully risen cake that's as lovely to look at as it is to eat.
Delicious Flavour: The combination of ripe bananas, coconut sugar, and a hint of cinnamon creates a flavour profile that's comforting and rich. Plus, the optional add-ins allow you to customise it to your taste.
Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and fuss-free. Just mix, bake, and enjoy. It's perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
Dietary Friendly: You'd never guess that this cake is both gluten-free and vegan. It's a hit with everyone, regardless of dietary requirements.
Encourages Experimentation: No need for egg replacements here. The base recipe is simple, allowing you to experiment with various add-ins and flavours to suit your preferences and pantry supplies.
Top Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread
Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better. They add more sweetness and flavour to the cake. Just ensure they are not so overripe that they smell unpleasant.
Add Lemon Juice: A little lemon juice helps prevent the mashed bananas from browning and boosts the raising agents, making the cake lighter and fluffier.
Incorporate Xanthan Gum: If your gluten-free flour blend doesn't already contain it, add a small amount of xanthan gum. It helps mimic the elasticity of gluten, preventing the cake from being too crumbly.
Opt for Coconut Sugar: Using coconut sugar instead of white sugar adds depth of flavour with its caramel-like notes. It pairs beautifully with the bananas.
Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to mix in chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, or even swirl in some chocolate spread. This cake is a great canvas for creativity.
Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. If there's batter on the toothpick, give it more time.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Banana Bread:
This versatile recipe is not only a fantastic way to use up those overripe bananas but also serves as a base for endless flavour experimentation, suitable for the dietary needs of the whole family.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Banana Bread: A Summer Treat for the Whole Family
Ingredients:
3 overripe bananas, mashed (about 300g)
30ml coconut oil, melted
50ml melted vegan butter
100g coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g gluten-free flour blend
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp mixed spice
Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruits, seeds
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease and line a loaf tin with parchment paper.
Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the overripe bananas until smooth. This is a great step to get kids involved!
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, coconut sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
Mix Everything Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix. At this stage, fold in any optional add-ins you like.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. If the top starts to brown before it is fully cooked through, cover with some aluminium foil for the last few minutes.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cake to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
NOTES:
This is the perfect sweet treat bake that requires minimal equipment. A bowl and hand-held whisk (or even a wooden spoon) is perfect for this bake. I've found in my many trials that using a stand mixer or other electric mixer will create a smoother batter but the final bake is more dense and uneven.
Also, keep an eye on your bake while in the oven as each oven is different and you're the only one that knows best how to use it (well maybe apart from the manufacturers)! You may need to adjust the temperature a few degrees up or down.
This gluten-free vegan banana bread recipe has become a favourite in our home. It fills our kitchen with the most beautiful aroma. It takes about 15 mins to throw together and just under an hour to bake giving you time to tidy up, have a cuppa and a quick snuggle on the sofa. And once baked, it's usually consumed within 10 minutes by the kids.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan and Gluten-Free Banana Cake is a fantastic way to use up those ripe bananas and create a treat that everyone can enjoy. Whether you're catering to various dietary needs or simply looking for a delicious, easy-to-make cake, this recipe is a winner. So next time you find those bananas getting a bit too ripe, remember: a delicious banana cake is just a few simple steps away.
Happy baking!
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