Keke Fa'i
Keke Fa'i is a beloved cake, traditional to Samoa.
About Keke Fa'i
Keke Fa'i is a beloved cake, traditional to Samoa. Traditionally it features flour, eggs, milk and butter.
🏛️ History & Culture
Keke Fa'i, meaning "banana cake" in Samoan, is a beloved dessert that reflects the fusion of introduced ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and butter with the abundant local fruit. Its exact origins are not precisely documented, but it is widely understood to have developed after European contact brought these baking staples to the Pacific islands. The cake is a staple at Samoan family gatherings, church functions, and celebrations.
Regional variations across Samoa and the wider Pacific often include the addition of coconut milk or grated coconut to enhance the richness of the cake. Culturally, Keke Fa'i holds a significant place in Samoan hospitality, frequently served with tea or coffee to guests. It embodies the resourcefulness of using ripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste, turning them into a sweet treat that is cherished across generations.
🍳 How to make Keke Fa'i
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedKeke Fa'i (Samoan Banana Cake)
Keke Fa'i is a beloved Samoan banana cake, soft and fragrant with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. This is a home-style version using everyday pantry ingredients.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 70 min
- Serves
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 10 g (2 tsp) baking powder
- 1 g (¼ tsp) salt
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened; or coconut oil for a more Samoan-style flavor
- 2 whole (2 large) eggs
- 120 ml (½ cup) whole milk, coconut milk is the traditional choice if available
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 300 g (about 2 large) ripe bananas, very ripe, peeled and mashed
- 30 g (2 tbsp) shredded coconut, optional, for topping
Steps
- 1 Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and lightly flour a 22 cm (9-inch) round or loaf pan.
- 2 In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- 3 In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes by hand or with an electric mixer.
- 4 Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla until smooth.
- 5 Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined — do not overmix.
- 6 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with shredded coconut if using.
- 7 Bake on the middle rack for 50-55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Internal temperature should read at least 95°C (200°F).
- 8 Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- 9 Serve at room temperature. Keke fa'i is traditionally enjoyed with a cup of Samoan tea or as a sweet snack any time of day.
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✅ Before you go to Samoa
Round out your trip — most travellers book these alongside their trip.
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