Why call a cake a “lunchbox” cake? Well, because it is specifically designed to freeze well, cut easily and defrost nicely in the…wait for it…LUNCHBOX! Cake is such an awesome treat for the lunchbox, it holds up well, is delicious and is a nice way to make it a little more fun. And this no added sugar lunchbox banana cake is a favourite here!
When it comes to cakes for the lunchbox, I don’t ice them and I don’t add stacks of sugar. Why? Because I’ve been a teacher. No-one wants sugar filled kids in the afternoon after lunch. Trust me.
This cake has been something I’ve been making for a long time, but I’ve never blogged it before. I assumed you guys would be all over banana cake, so I didn’t bother, but then I saw multiple questions about banana cake in my lunchbox groups, and I thought…let’s go! The best thing about this banana cake is that it uses up 4 small (or 2-3 big) brown bananas.
This cake is airy, but at the same time it doesn’t crumble heaps- that’s thanks to the yoghurt that helps to stabilise everything in the mixture and helps to give it a nice texture.
Freezable cakes are the best for lunchboxes as it means you can have a whole host of things cooked up and ready to go and that means that the kids don’t get sick of one thing. I find if I bring the same thing out from the freezer max twice per week they enjoy it more.
You should also try our whole apple food processor apple cake!
Looking for some more brown banana recipes? This best ever banana bread should help, or these weetbix cookies will use some too! If you’re looking for more freezable lunchbox fillers, you could try this post- there are over 50 in it!
To freeze this cake, simply cut into squares and freeze flat. Then transfer to a container once solid!
No added sugar lunchbox banana cake
Ingredients
- 4 small or 2-3 large brown smushy bananas
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup plain yoghurt
- 1 cup wholemeal self raising flour
- 1 cup self raising flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (355f).
- Smush the bananas, add al ingredients to the bowl.
- Mix until well combined.
- Pour into a lined (or silicone) 20 by 20 cm cake tin.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Jo says
I’ve made this cake twice now and failed miserably both times. The first time, I set my fan-forced oven to 160 degrees. The cake cooked on the outside but not on the inside. Thinking my oven must have been too hot, I made another cake and set my oven to 140 degrees. Once again, the cake cooked on the outside but stayed completely raw on the inside. Can anybody tell me where I’m going wrong? I love the simplicity of this recipe but cannot get the cake to cook on the inside!
Kylie says
Hi Jo,
I have a fan forced oven and I cook this at 180 degrees as per the recipe. I make it at least once a month. Maybe the best bet would be to try it at 180 degrees?
Thanks,
Kylie