There’s nothing quite like the joy of savouring a delicious treat. When I changed my diet, I decided to set aside a cheat day once a month to enjoy a slice of cake that I’ve baked myself. Although I love baking, doing it just for me isn’t as inspiring. So, once a month, I whip up something special for myself and for my friends in the village. They always look forward to my cake, and it’s even more rewarding on a rainy, gloomy day. It’s such a pleasure to share a bit of sweetness and brighten everyone’s day!
I made a banana cake for my cheat day! It is soft, fluffy, spongy, moist, and, of course, sweet.
Banana Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
225 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
110 g (1/2 cup) packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
360 g (1 1/2 cups) mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
8 g (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder
2.5 g (1/2 tsp) baking soda
1.5 g (1/4 tsp) salt
250 g (1 cup) milk
1 lemon, juiced ( mix with the milk)
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
250 g ground nuts (as preferred).
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
115 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
150 g (1/2 cup) condensed milk
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 23 cm (9-inch) round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Mix in the mashed bananas.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk/lemon, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Blitz the nuts; I used sunflower, almond, pumpkins, hazel nuts.
Add ground nuts.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the cream cheese:
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, condensed milk, and butter until smooth and creamy.
Beat the double cream separately until stiff, then briefly mix them all.
This banana cake is moist, buttery, and rich with sweet banana flavor,
Perfectly balanced with tangy flavour, paired well with cream cheese.
I enjoyed this delicious treat on my cheat day!
I divided the rest for everyone to enjoy.
Just as the rain slowed, I was on my way to drop off cake slices.
It was getting dark on my back.
It felt wonderful to imagine my neighbors savuoring the cake I made. I hope it brightened their day as much as it did mine.
Food truly brings people together, and sharing a slice of sweetness is a simple yet meaningful way to connect with others.
Have you brightened anyone's day today?
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Mariah 😊💗