If you’re searching for that one dessert that thrills your taste buds without demanding hours in the kitchen, let me gush about my beloved Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread. This beauty is sweet, moist, fiercely aromatic, and always, always a hit with everyone who’s lucky enough to get a warm slice. Each bite balances the irresistible caramel sweetness of ultra-ripe plantains with a tender, fluffy crumb that feels like the comforting embrace of homemade goodness. Whether you call it cake or bread, it’s that magical bake that tastes even better the next day, making it a stellar treat for both gatherings and sneaky midnight snacks!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing complicated about this list: every ingredient shines and plays its important role in creating the magic of Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread. Pick your plantains at their peak of ripeness, and treat the rest of the ingredients with the same care for a reliably delightful loaf every single time.
- Very ripe plantains (3, peeled and mashed): Super soft, nearly black peels mean max sweetness and that signature plantain flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and encourages a beautiful golden crust.
- Vegetable oil or melted butter (1/2 cup): Keeps the crumb extra moist and tender (choose butter for a richer taste).
- Large eggs (2): Help bind everything while adding richness and structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a gorgeous aromatic note that lifts the flavors.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The backbone of the loaf, giving it airy lightness while holding it together.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Delivers essential lift for a nice, tall loaf.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works alongside the baking powder for optimal rise and tender crumb.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brightens all the flavors and keeps the loaf from tasting flat.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon, optional): Adds a comforting hint of warm spice—totally recommended for extra depth.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Helps create a silky batter and a soft, moist texture.
How to Make Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a little oil or line it with parchment paper. This crucial step ensures your Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread pops right out after baking—no sticking, no mess, just a loaf that slides out like a dream.
Step 2: Mash the Plantains
In a large bowl, peel those super-ripe plantains and give them a good mash until they’re almost silky, with just a few soft lumps for texture. The more ripe and spotty they are, the sweeter and more fragrant your bread will be!
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
Stir in the sugar, oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract with the plantain mash. Mix until the whole bowl smells amazing and looks smooth and glossy—this is where most of that luscious flavor starts to come together.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Separately, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it. This keeps your leaveners and spices evenly distributed, meaning every bite will rise beautifully and have just the right hint of warmth.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry mixture into your wet plantain base, alternating with the milk. By alternating additions and mixing just until smooth, you’ll avoid overworking the batter and keep that tender, irresistible crumb we all crave in an Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread.
Step 6: Bake, Cool, and Savor
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to even out the top. Bake in the center of your oven for 50–60 minutes—your kitchen will fill with the most delightful aroma! When a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, let the bread cool in its pan for 10 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack. Resist cutting right away; let it cool completely so every slice holds together perfectly.
How to Serve Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar takes your Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread from charming to celebration-worthy! For something a little extra, try a drizzle of honey, a slather of butter, or a scattering of toasted coconut flakes for irresistible flair.
Side Dishes
Serve warm slices alongside Greek yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting breakfast, or pair them with tropical fruit like mango or pineapple for a breezy brunch. It’s fantastic with coffee or chai, making it a natural fit for both breakfast spreads and afternoon treats.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, cut your Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread into cubes and layer them with spiced whipped cream and fruit for a gorgeous trifle. Or toast slices and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the easiest dessert ever. Muffin tins instead of a loaf pan? Mini plantain cakes are instantly adorable for parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Each day, the flavors deepen and the bread becomes even more luscious!
Freezing
This loaf freezes beautifully—simply slice and wrap individual pieces in parchment or wax paper, then store in a freezer bag. Whenever you crave a slice, just thaw it at room temperature or gently reheat for that just-baked experience.
Reheating
For best results, zap a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or warm it in a toaster oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This revives the crumb and brings back the plantain’s tropical aroma.
FAQs
Can I use bananas instead of plantains?
You can, but the flavor and texture will be quite different. Plantains bring a sweeter, more robust profile to the Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread; bananas will make it lighter and milder, but still delicious—just a different treat!
Is the cinnamon necessary?
Nope, cinnamon is totally optional! It adds comforting warmth, but if you prefer the pure taste of plantains, feel free to skip it or swap in nutmeg or allspice for a new flavor twist.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Absolutely. For a dairy-free Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread, use any plant-based milk—like almond, oat, or coconut—in place of regular milk, and use oil instead of butter. The result stays moist and irresistible.
What other mix-ins work well?
Go wild! Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, raisins, or chocolate chips stir in beautifully, infusing your loaf with extra texture and flavor. Just fold in up to 1/2 cup of your favorites before baking.
Why is my bread dense or gummy?
This usually happens when the batter is overmixed or if your plantains weren’t quite ripe enough. Be gentle with mixing and let those plantains ripen until their peels are dark and spotty for best results in your Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread.
Final Thoughts
If homemade happiness had a flavor, it just might be a thick, fragrant slice of Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread. Simple enough for busy weeknights, special enough for weekend brunch, and always, always delicious. Gather your ingredients, bake a loaf, and let yourself fall in love with this tropical twist on classic comfort!
Print
Easy Plantain Cake / Plantain Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and easy recipe for Plantain Cake, also known as Plantain Bread, that is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any time of day. This Caribbean-inspired treat is a great way to use up ripe plantains in a delicious and satisfying way.
Ingredients
Plantain Mixture:
- 3 very ripe plantains, peeled and mashed
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix plantain mixture: In a large bowl, mash plantains until smooth. Stir in sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using. Gradually mix dry ingredients into plantain mixture, alternating with milk, until batter is smooth.
- Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For extra texture, fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips before baking.
- This bread is even better the next day as flavors develop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
