Banana Cake Recipe: A Delightful Sweet Treat
Category: Desserts
Servings: 6 slices
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40-45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
This Banana Cake is a delightful, moist treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With the right balance of sweetness from ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla, this cake also features a crunchy surprise of chopped walnuts. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe Bananas | 370g |
| Baking Powder | 8g |
| Vegetable Oil (or any neutral oil) | 125g |
| All-Purpose Flour (00 Flour) | 215g |
| Fine Salt | To taste |
| Granulated Sugar | 200g |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Walnuts (chopped) | 60g |
| Vanilla Bean | 1 |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~350 kcal |
| Protein | ~4g |
| Carbohydrates | ~50g |
| Fat | ~15g |
| Saturated Fat | ~1.5g |
| Fiber | ~2g |
| Sugars | ~20g |
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare a round cake pan (about 22 cm in diameter) by greasing it with butter and lightly dusting it with flour. This will help ensure your cake doesn’t stick to the pan during baking.
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Prepare the Walnuts: Chop the walnuts finely with a knife, then place them in a food processor. Pulse a few times to create a coarse walnut paste. Set aside.
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Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, crack the two eggs. Using an electric whisk or a hand mixer, beat the eggs together with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and light in texture. This process should take about 5 minutes.
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Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and baking powder into the egg mixture, mixing gently after each addition to prevent lumps. Continue mixing until smooth.
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Add Salt and Oil: Once your flour mixture is well incorporated, sprinkle in a pinch of fine salt. Slowly pour in the vegetable oil, drizzling it in to keep the batter smooth. Mix well until the batter becomes silky and fully combined.
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Add the Banana Puree and Walnuts: Now it’s time to add the bananas. Peel and mash them until smooth, either with a fork or a food processor, and fold this banana puree into your batter. Follow this by adding the chopped walnut paste, folding gently with a spatula until evenly distributed.
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Add Vanilla Flavor: Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add the vanilla seeds to the batter and mix once more to combine, bringing a delightful aroma to the cake.
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Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. Check the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
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Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Optional Decoration: Before serving, you can lightly dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance. This step is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch.
Tips for a Perfect Banana Cake:
- Banana Ripeness: Make sure your bananas are ripe and soft. The riper they are, the sweeter your cake will be.
- Walnuts: For an extra nutty flavor, you can toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before chopping them. This enhances their flavor.
- Consistency: If you prefer a denser cake, you can reduce the amount of oil by 10-15g without affecting the texture too much. Alternatively, add an extra mashed banana for a moister cake.
This Banana Cake is perfect for an afternoon tea, a light dessert, or simply as a sweet snack. With its smooth texture, rich banana flavor, and crunchy walnuts, it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy every slice!
