Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Banana bread/ banana cake




This is my second submission to the "Tried & tested event". As I was going through Prathy's blog, i came across this post on Banana bread/cake. I actually happened to have some ripe bananas, hence decided give it a try immediately. Baking is always a fun thing at my place as my son is totally involved and has such a blast.This bread/cake is perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea.I was so happy that it came perfect in my first attempt. Indeed a great recipe!!


Ingredients:

  1. 3 nos  large ripe bananas(approx. 1 lb )
  2. 1 and 3/4 cup  all purpose flour (approx.230gms)
  3. 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  4. 1 tsp baking powder
  5. 1/4 tsp baking soda
  6. 2 large eggs at room temperature
  7. 1/4 tsp vanilla essence 
  8. 1/4tsp salt
  9. 3/4 cup white granulated sugar (approx. 150 gms)
  10. 1 cup walnuts slightly toasted.
Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and place the oven rack to the middle position.Butter and flour the bottom and the sides (use can even use the nonstick flour spray) of a loaf pan (9x5x3 inch) 
  2. Melt the butter and let it cool.
  3. Coarsely chop the toasted walnuts.
  4. Mash the bananas with fork or a masher. Its ok if they are slightly chunky.Add the sugar to this bananas and mix well.
  5. In a large bowl sift flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.Add the toasted walnuts to this. 
  6. In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add melted butter (cooled) to this. Also mix the vanilla extract. and mix well.To this add the banana and sugar mixture.
  7. Now lightly fold in the wet ingredients (as in step 6) to the dry ingredients (as in step 5) just until combined and the mixture is thick and chunky. It is important not to over mix the batter. You do not want it smooth. Over mixing will yield in a tough  rubbery bread.
  8. Scrape the batter in to the prepared pan.
  9. Bake until the bread(the crust or the outer layer of the bread) is golden brown and the toothpick comes out clean. It takes about 55 to 60 minutes.(This time may vary from oven to oven. So keep an eye on the bread as soon as you hit the 50 minute mark)
  10. Once baked, keep on the wire rack to cool and then remove from the pan.
  11. You can serve the cake at room temperature or slightly warm.
Note:
  • Instead of walnuts, you can use other nuts like pecans, almonds etc.As a variation you can even use raisins or semi sweet chocolate chips.
  • The original recipe used 1 tsp ground cinnamon but i did not use it as my hubby does not like the flavor of cinnamon in cakes. hence it omitted it but you are welcome to use it.
  • You serve it slightly warm with coffee or tea. you can even serve it with some vanilla ice cream on top of it.
  • I have even tried making this cake with vegetable oil instead of butter and it turns out equally good.

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