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Keke Siaine (Tongan Banana Cake)

Tongan banana cake recipe: a moist, buttery, coconut-scented cake made with sweet ripe island bananas — the classic taste of a Tongan Sunday afternoon.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Keke Siaine (Tongan Banana Cake)

Keke siaine is the banana cake of every Tongan household and bakery. Overripe local bananas — fat, sweet, and spotted — are mashed into a simple butter cake with coconut milk and vanilla, then baked until the top turns deep golden. It is baked for school fundraisers, church mornings, and afternoon tea, and it is always the first tray to empty.

What makes it great: incredibly moist, intensely banana-sweet, with a tender crumb and a faint coconut richness in every bite. It is the perfect way to use up overripe bananas, and it somehow tastes even better on day two.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
  3. Stir in the mashed bananas, coconut milk, and vanilla.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then fold into the wet mixture until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The darker and spottier the bananas, the better the cake — do not be tempted to use yellow ones. Wrap leftovers tightly; this cake stays moist for days.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →