This avocado cake with bananas and pecans is moist, crunchy and so easy to make in just one bowl. Perfect for making with the kids!
It's great recipe for using up those old brown bananas that nobody fancies too.
Best of all there is no added oil or butter, just the natural and healthy fats of the fruits.
Bon appétit!
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Why you will love this
- this cake easily makes 12 portions so it's great for feeding a crowd
- the natural moisture in the fruit means that this cake will last for a good week in an airtight container
- no added butter or oil means that this cake is healthier for those concerned about their fat intake
- full of healthy benefits from bananas and avocados
What are the ingredients?
For years I've been making banana bread when I have overripe bananas. I usually throw in chopped walnuts as I love the crunch within the moist cake too. However, my usual recipe has 175g of butter in it which is obviously mostly fat not to mention the calories! I do love cake but it's time for a healthier makeover.
Along with 4 rather forlorn, speckled bananas in my fruit bowl there was also a very soft ripe avocado. I've seen lots of vegan recipes where avocados are used in chocolate mousse instead of eggs so I knew the mild taste of an avocado was not going to overpower the cake.
The other ingredients are brown sugar, self raising flour, vanilla and eggs.
How to make this avocado cake
This avocado cake is really simple to make as almost everything is just mixed together with no techniques required. It's perfect if you have little helping hands in the kitchen!
In a large bowl mix eggs, ripe mashed bananas, a mashed avocado, sugar, flour and vanilla together until well combined.
Stir in chopped pecans and bake at 180C/350F/Gas5 for about 50 minutes. A skewer inserted into the cake should come out clean when it's cooked.
That's it! Leave the cake in the tin for about 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack.
When the cake is completely cool I iced it with icing sugar mixed with a little water. I topped with pecan halves that I glazed in a pan for a few minutes with maple syrup to make them shiny.
Recipe FAQs
Pistachios or walnuts would be great in this cake. You could also use 2 bananas and 2 avocadoes to great a naturally greener cake.
This cake keeps for at least a week in an airtight container. You could also freeze the cake, uniced, by wrapping it in clingfilm then foil and freezing for up to 3 months.
Delicious as a coffee cake, with afternoon tea or at any time, this cake is moist, crunchy and absolutely delicious!
Top Tips
- don't be tempted to use underripe avocados as they will be impossible to mash
- if you have ripe bananas but aren't ready to make anything simply freeze them by putting whole peeled bananas in a freezer bag and defrosting before use
More cake recipes to try
📋 Recipe
Pecan Banana Avocado Cake
Ingredients
- 175 g brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 300 g self raising flour
- 4 bananas
- 1 avocado
- 100 g chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Grease and flour a 20 cm spring form cake tin and preheat oven to 180 C.
- Mix all of the ingredients together well then stir in the pecans.
- Pour into the tin and bake for 50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with icing or dredge with icing sugar to serve.
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Detailed instructions for this recipe, including step by step photographs, hints and tips, can be found in the main article.
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Amanda
Hi. As a rough guide you would need to add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to 150g or 1 cup of flour, so 2 teaspoons for this recipe.
Thanks,
Amanda
May
I don’t have self rising flour , How do I make my own ? Thanks!
Claudia Lamascolo
All I can say is wow two favorites in one cake equal heaven on a plate!
Jen
Love using avocado to add healthy fats and keep everything moist. I am a big banana cake fan and this recipe did not disappoint.
Danielle Wolter
I just love pecans and bananas together! This cake came out so delicious and was easy to make!
Jacqueline Meldrum
What a fabulous combination. Bet it's really moist and moreish. Yum!
Jen
Thanks for the tip about ripening your bananas on your own. Worked like a charm and allowed us to make this today. So delicious!
Kathryn Donangelo
This is such a great recipe especially since I love avocados and I wasn't expecting the cake to be so moist but it is SO delicious. I am going to make this again this week, thank you!
Anonymous
This cake was so moist and tasty. Different from anything I have had before which is a nice change.
Beth
This looks so delicious and yummy! I can't wait to give this a try! My husband is going to love this!
Dannii
What a great way to use avocado. This cake looks so light and fluffy.
Amanda
Thanks Demeter. I think I will be using avocado in desserts more often!
Amanda
Thanks Kim. The fruit keeps it really moist!
Amanda
Thanks Anna!
Amanda
Thanks Lola. Definitely better than butter.
Amanda
Thanks Danielle. It's really moist!
Demeter
I'm so happy you decided to give using avocado a try! Looks so moist and delicious!
kim
I love that this uses avocado and bananas! I can't wait to give it a try... it looks absolutely delicious!
Anna
What a great use for the avocado! Love this recipe, can't wait to give it a go! Thanks for sharing!
lola@cheflolaskitchen
Awesome! I'm always in for some healthy additions.
Danielle Wolter
This is a great idea! And that cake looks so delicious and moist - I def have to try the avocado sometime!
Amanda
Thanks Michelle. It's good to have extra ideas for ripe fruit rather than waste it.
Michelle
A great way to use up both bananas and avocados. This cake looks so delicious! What a great idea. I'd love that with a cup of tea anytime.
Amanda
Thanks Caroline. I think it works well to replace butter or cream in some recipes as it doesn't have a flavour that takes over the cake.
Amanda
Thanks Brian. It was certainly very moist and definitely one to try!
Amanda
Thanks so much Syama. I was surprised by the colour too!
Brian Jones
What a fantastic experiment, the cake looks so moist and luscious! Superb!
Caroline
I've seen avocado used in a few baking recipes too, and keep thinking I should give it a try. Your cake certainly tempts me to give it a try soon!
Syama
Beautiful hint of green here ! Never tried avocados in a cake - I must give this a try ! Lovely recipe.
Amanda
Thanks Arjhon. The avocado adds creaminess but doesn't affect the banana flavour.
Arjhon
I love your idea adding the avocado on a cake. It looks so delicious and mouthwatering, it makes we wanna try this right away. Thanks for this recipe.
Amanda
Thanks Megala. I love the fact that the cake is naturally green too!
Megala
Fantastic recipe ! It is a wonderful idea to use avocado in place of butter, thanks for the inspiration.