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    Home • Recipes • Vegetarian Recipes

    Healthy Chocolate Banana Marble Cake

    Published: Oct 29, 2018 · Modified: Sep 9, 2022 by Jill Colonna10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy recipe for chocolate banana marble bread (like a French 'cake'). Serve for breakfast or brunch, either topped with roasted banana. For a special treat, serve at teatime with a fudgy dark chocolate glaze and decorate with macaron shells.

    slice of banana chocolate marble cake

    How to Keep Banana Bread Moist

    Lucie squealed when she saw this Chocolate Banana Marble Cake peeking out from the aluminium foil in the kitchen for breakfast. It's not just to hide it but to keep it moist.

    Conversely, I had squealed since that bottom layer wasn't very marbled and the top was a bit too browned - but hey, nobody's perfect. To see the marble effect, of course, someone had already cut a few slices before the 'official opening'. By the opening, you'll understand what I mean if you want to photograph a whole cake for a blog or book before it's devoured by little tigers.

    So keep this chocolate banana marble bread in aluminium foil or in a greaseproof bag to keep it moist.

    looking down on a loaf topped with roasted bananas and melted chocolate

    How to Make a Marble or Swirl Effect on Cakes?

    To create a marble or swirl effect like a tiger (hence its other name), divide up the batter in two just before transferring to the cake tin. Add the chocolate powder and chips to one of them.

    Layer each of the batters in turn, then make zig-zags with a fork from one end to the other. Alternatively, swirl a couple of times in a figure 8 with a skewer. (Although, in this case, you could say it's a chocolate banana cake that's a bit 'lost its marble!')

    how to create a swirl or marble cake effect
    Swirl the 2 batters together to create the marble effect

    When Best to Serve

    Normally we enjoy this for breakfast with a typical large French bowl of coffee. However, this chocolate banana marble cake is also delicious coated in a fudgy dark chocolate glaze for teatime.

    Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake

    Easy Decorating Ideas for Chocolate Cake

    Looking for easy decorating ideas? Then:

    • First and foremost, make the fudgy dark chocolate glaze to top it first.
    • Top French style with chocolate macaron shells (see recipes in my books, Mad About Macarons and Teatime in Paris), for a soft yet almond crunch for texture - or what about topping with this nougatine of caramelised toasted nuts?
    • To create an instant holiday decor, sprinkle on some edible glitter (I use edible metallic lustre powder to brush on macarons from DecoRelief in Paris) for a quick golden effect.
    • Plop on some fresh fruits such as figs or raspberries, nuts (toasted hazelnuts, almonds or walnuts), or dried fruits (apricots or candied ginger, orange peel or glacé cherries).

    Chocolate Banana Marble Cake

    Chocolate Banana Marble Bread Recipe

    Chocolate Banana Marble Cake

    Chocolate Banana Marble Bread

    Jill Colonna
    Easy recipe for chocolate banana marble bread (like a French 'cake'). Serve for breakfast or brunch, either topped with roasted banana - or serve at teatime with a fudgy dark chocolate glaze.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, teatime
    Cuisine British, French
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 330 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 85 g (3oz) butter (unsalted) softened
    • 75 g (2.75oz) cane sugar
    • 3 eggs (organic) at room temperature
    • 170 g (6oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 (approx.225g/8oz) very ripe bananas + 1 for decor (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 100 g (3.5oz) dark chocolate chips good quality (bittersweet)

    Teatime Chocolate Glaze (optional):

    • 50 g (2oz) dark (bittersweet) cooking chocolate good quality (64-74% cacao)
    • 50 g (2oz) icing (confectioner's) sugar sifted
    • 50 g (2oz) butter (unsalted)
    • 50 g (2oz) single or whipping cream at least 30% fat

    Instructions
     

    • Grease and flour a loaf tin, otherwise if you’re using a silicone mould there’s no need. Preheat the oven to 180°C/360°F/Mark 4/160°C fan.
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until soft, light and creamy (this is even easier if you beat together in a stand mixer). Gradually add the eggs, one by one until well mixed. Incorporate the flour and baking powder until the batter is smooth.
    • In another bowl, mash the banana with a fork and transfer half of it to the other bowl. In one of them, add the chocolate powder and chocolate chips and mix well.
    • Pour the chocolate mix into the bottom of the tin, then pour in the banana batter, then the chocolate again then banana.
    • Marble the cake by making zig-zags with a fork from one end to the other - or swirl a couple of times in a figure 8 with a skewer. If making this without the teatime glaze, cut the extra banana horizontally (if using) and place on top of the batter. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. 
      The cake is ready when a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. If not, bake for another 5 minutes. Leave the cake to cool then remove from the mould to a wire rack to cool.

    For the Teatime Glaze (optional):

    • Melt the chocolate, icing sugar and butter in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water (bain-marie). When melted, stir in the cream until the glaze is well blended.  Leave to cool for about 5 minutes then pour over the cake, evening the glaze with a knife and decorate whatever takes your fancy. I added some mini macaron shells and finally dusted it with gold food powder, just tapping it over with a couple of fingers.

    Notes

    Please resist temptation to eat this straight away, as the marble cake tastes even better the next day.  Can keep for 3 days in a cool place stored in an airtight tin or in aluminium foil (although not in the fridge) - if you're lucky not to have tigers around!
    Keyword bananabread, chocolate banana swirl, Chocolate Banana,, Chocolate Marble,, Marble Cake,

    For more banana bread, loaf or cake recipes, see this Moist Banana Nut Bread.

    More Vegetarian Recipes

    • rhubarb cake with almonds
      Rhubarb Cake (Gâteau à la rhubarbe)
    • green asparagus spears baked in a roasting tin topped with toasted hazelnuts
      Oven-Roasted Asparagus (Asperges rôties)
    • cup of lemon ice cream with strawberries
      Creamy Lemon Ice Cream (Glace au citron)
    • gratin dish of sliced potato bake with autumn leaves
      Gratin Dauphinois (Creamy Potato Gratin)
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    Meet Jill Colonna

    Jill is both Scottish and French and author of the book and blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Here she shares over 30 years of experience of living the healthy food life with her French family in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

    More about Jill

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    1. Julie

      November 05, 2019 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      This is the recipe I use the most! As a student I always buy a lot of bananas and can never finish them all before at least a couple go black. My roommates and my friends have said this is one of the best cakes they've ever had... It's easy to make, tasty and fast

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 06, 2019 at 10:13 am

        Well that's the best compliment ever! Thank you so much, Julie. I'm sure you'd also like this moist banana and chestnut cake...

        Reply
    2. Betty

      November 23, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      5 stars
      So happy to tell you, Jill! I made this super yummy cake and it went so quickly, I forgot to get any pictures! I shared it with two neighbors and I'm currently printing one off for one of the neighbors to have (she doesn't use a computer). It was so yum! I'll make another one soon and hope to remember to take a picture to post! Just wanted to let you know, it was a hit with everyone I gave some to (as well as Victor and myself!).

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 24, 2018 at 11:38 am

        So thrilled to hear this, Betty. Thanks so much for returning here to tell us - it makes it all worthwhile! So happy to share and great that you've got the neighbours hooked on it, too!

        Reply
    3. Liz

      November 04, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate can only make this lovely banana cake even better! Love the beautiful swirl, Jill!!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 04, 2018 at 8:15 pm

        You're so kind, Liz. It's an easy pleaser! Have a delicious week.

        Reply
    4. Betty

      November 01, 2018 at 2:40 am

      Oooh! We will be trying this out, Jill! We love chocolate banana bread and this one looks so good. I'll let you know when I make it. Yummy!!!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 01, 2018 at 12:24 pm

        Super, Betty!

        Reply
    5. Christina Conte

      October 30, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      I'm not a massive banana fan, BUT if I'm going to eat it in baked goods, chocolate is almost a requirement! Looks good, Jill! Like the glaze on top, too! Can almost taste it 🙂

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 31, 2018 at 11:03 am

        Glad you might like it, then - even if you don't like bananas, Christina 😉

        Reply

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