EPISODE 110

August 2019 I created this recipe, slowly becoming comfortable in my new home and kitchen by filling it with the scent of bananas and chocolate. I’ve played around with the ingredients and quantities, using vegetable oil in place of margarine, frozen bananas that have been thawed (do not discard the liquid), trying to use less sugar… it will always be good, but this way is the best. If you’re not vegan, I recommend adding in two eggs at the same time as the bananas. This changes the texture slightly, making it a little springier. Regardless, this will become a staple in your culinary repertoire, much as it has become a cornerstone of mine. The cake is moist and delicious, and the crunchy streusel puts it over the top, giving you little bits to pick off while waiting to dive into a slice. 

Ingredients – Cake

• ½ cup margarine
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 3 very large ripe mushy bananas (or 4 large or 5 medium)
• ¼ cup coffee (I make this with instant coffee)
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips (best quality)

Instructions – Cake

Preheat the oven to 350. Grease and flour a loaf tin. In a large bowl, combine the margarine and sugar and mix (using an electric hand mixer for ease) for a few minutes before adding in the bananas, and coffee. Once this is well whisked together, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, and mix until just combined.

Now switch to a spatula and fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. You want to avoid over beating cakes once the flour is added since working the gluten in the flour makes your cakes tough, hence the switch to a spatula. Place this into the greased and flour tin and move onto the streusel topping which will add the most irresistibly delicious crunch to the top of the cake.

Ingredients – Streusel Topping

• 1 tablespoon margarine
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions – Streusel Topping + Baking

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together, with a fork or with clean hands as I do. Sprinkle on top of the loaf, and then bake for 55-60 mins or until a cake tester inserted into the loaf comes out clean.

Let cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan and enjoying.

Don’t forget to check out my private virtual cooking lessons (makes for a fantastic gift for a loved one), follow me on Instagram, and YouTube, and sign up to my WordPress to be notified when I post new content.