Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Coconut Cake

I recently found a delicious looking Chocolate Banana Coconut Cake recipe online, and would love to have one for my upcoming Birthday.  It didn't take me long to change it to a triple chocolate gluten free version.

It tastes so rich & chocolatey. The bananas are a nice compliment as well. The only thing I'm going to do differently this time is use a little less coconut in the chocolate cakes. It's not bad, but a little much for my taste. 

Chocolate Banana Cake 

Yield: 12 slices  Prep Time: 1 hour active time  Cook Time: 35 minutes 

Banana Coconut Cake layered with Whipped Chocolate Frosting and Chocolate Ganache 

Ingredients: 

For the Chocolate Banana Cake: 

2 boxes of Blue Rose Chocolate Cake mix – available here: http://bluerosebaking.com/chocolateCake.html

1 ½ cups plain greek yogurt 

4 large eggs 

Add 2 large ripe mashed bananas 

1 cup shredded coconut 

For the Whipped Chocolate Frosting: 

3 cups heavy cream 

2 tablespoons vanilla extract 

1/3 cup sugar 

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

For the Chocolate Ganache and Garnish: 

10 ounces semi- Sweet or dark chocolate 

1 cup heavy cream 

2 tablespoons corn syrup 

1 cup toasted coconut 

Directions: 

For the Banana Coconut Cake: Preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans. 

Combine both Chocolate Cake mixes in a medium bowl. 

Add the two mashed bananas, the eggs, and the yogurt.  Blend on high until well blended.  

Finally add the shredded coconut and mix to combine. 

Divide the batter into prepared pans. Bake for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the cooling racks and cool completely. 

Wrap each cake separately and freeze. 

For the Whipped Chocolate Frosting: Place all the ingredients in a clean mixing bowl and beat on high until stiff peaks form. 

Unwrap the frozen cakes. Divide 1/4 of the whipped frosting on the bottom layer, 1/4 on the  middle layer, and 1/2 of the frosting on the top layer. Spread the frosting evenly over the bottom layers, then stack the three cakes, level, and spread the large amount of frosting (on the top layer) over the top and down the sides. 

Press the shredded coconut around the bottom half and the cake and place in the fridge to chill.  

For the Chocolate Ganache: Heat the heavy cream in the microwave until it simmers. Remove and add the chocolate. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes then add the corn syrup and gently stir. 

Once smooth, tap the bowl on the counter to remove bubbles. Cool to room-temperature. 

Once the ganache is cool, pour over the top of the cake and spread to the sides, allowing the ganache to run down. 

Chill until ready to serve. *When serving, I like to cut the slices then allow them to sit for a few minutes so the cake warms up a little. 

This one sounds like a little too much chocolate for you?  Keep an eye out for my next recipe.  It'll be a twist on this one. The cake will me more banana coconut cake, rather than chocolate banana coconut.