A soft banana cake with caramel chocolate and a fragrant pandan twist

This pandan banana cake with Rolo swirl is a comforting bake with a playful, indulgent twist. Ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and softness, while Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur and pandan paste add a fragrant tropical note. Melted Rolo chocolate creates a rich caramel-chocolate swirl through the cake, making every slice soft, aromatic and full of flavor.

It is the kind of cake that feels just as right with afternoon coffee as it does as a warm dessert after dinner. Familiar banana bread comfort meets the fragrant character of pandan in one easy, crowd-pleasing loaf. The pandan banana cake recipe is from Mitra.nl 

Why banana and pandan work so well together

Banana and pandan are a beautiful match because both bring softness and warmth without becoming heavy. Banana gives the cake moisture and a mellow fruity depth, while pandan adds an aromatic lift that makes the flavor more distinctive and memorable. The result is a loaf cake that feels comforting, but also a little more special than a classic banana cake.

The Rolo swirl adds another layer: smooth chocolate and caramel notes that pair naturally with ripe banana and the gentle fragrance of pandan. It turns a simple loaf into a dessert that feels generous and a little indulgent.

Ingredients for pandan banana cake with Rolo swirl

• 85 g soft butter
• 135 g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 40 ml milk
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 sachet vanilla sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 165 g flour
• 1 small roll of Rolo chocolate
• 10 ml Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur
• 1 tbsp pandan paste

How to make pandan banana cake with Rolo swirl

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C and lightly grease a small loaf tin.
2. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add the eggs and milk, mixing until smooth.
4. Add two mashed bananas, vanilla sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix well.
5. Add the flour and the Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur, then beat until smooth and lump-free.
6. Melt the Rolo chocolates in the microwave.
7. Divide the batter: mix the pandan paste into two-thirds of the batter and the melted Rolo into the remaining third.
8. Pour half of the pandan batter into the loaf tin, spread the Rolo batter over it, then finish with the remaining pandan batter. Use a knife to create a gentle swirl.
9. Slice the last banana lengthwise and place the halves on top of the batter.
10. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
11. Let the cake cool, then drizzle a little Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur over the top for an extra pandan accent.

Serving suggestion

Serve a slice of this pandan banana cake slightly warm for the best texture and aroma. It pairs beautifully with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, a cup of coffee, or an after-dinner glass with a few drops of Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur on the side. The contrast between warm banana cake, caramel-chocolate swirl and fragrant pandan makes it an inviting dessert for sharing.

Baking tip pandan banana cake

The riper the bananas, the softer and more flavourful the cake will be. If you want a stronger pandan note, a light drizzle of Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur after baking adds extra aroma without making the cake heavy.

A home-baked dessert with a Bandoeng’22 twist

What makes this cake special is the way it combines familiar comfort with a more unexpected Southeast Asian flavour note. Banana cake is widely loved for its softness and ease, but pandan gives it a fresh, fragrant identity that sets it apart. That makes this recipe a lovely example of how Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur can bring something distinctive to home baking, desserts and shared moments at the table.

Discover more pandan desserts

Looking for more dessert inspiration with Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur? Explore more of our pandan desserts and discover how this fragrant liqueur brings aroma, taste and a tropical twist to cakes, festive desserts and sweet treats.