Description
This Easy Plantain Cake, also known as Plantain Bread, is a moist and flavorful dessert that uses very ripe plantains for natural sweetness and a tender crumb. Perfect as a sweet treat or snack, it offers a delightful alternative to traditional banana bread with warm spices and optional nuts or raisins for added texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large ripe plantains (very ripe, nearly black)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- optional: ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Optional Add-ins
- ¼ cup chopped nuts or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mash the Plantains. Peel the very ripe plantains and mash them thoroughly in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Wet Ingredients. To the mashed plantains, add the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and optional nutmeg until evenly mixed.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add Nuts or Raisins. Fold in the chopped nuts or raisins if using, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to preserve the texture.
Notes
- Use very ripe plantains for best sweetness and soft texture.
- This recipe can be made as muffins; bake for 18–22 minutes for individual portions.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute vegetable oil in place of melted butter.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean, African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
