Gone Bananas!

Me and my mother recently went on another baking spree, this time, everything with bananas!

She bought two big batches of bananas from the market and we had no idea what to do with all of it! So we got to our cooking books and did what we do best, bake! (And my , oh my, do we look good doing it!) All three recipes were successful and sweet to the tooth, and enough to share with both family and friends. 

Cinnamon Banana Breakfast Cakes via The Prepared Pantry (slightly modified)

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about three large)

2/3 cup buttermilk

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

bananas for slicing

How to make it:

Prepare some baking molds by greasing well and flouring the bottoms or by lining with parchment paper. Large muffin tins work well. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and continue beating. Add the bananas, vanilla, and buttermilk.

In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon together.

Add the flour mixture to the butter-banana mixture and fold in.

Spoon the batter into the prepared molds.

Slice the bananas and arrange them on top of the dough. I used three slices, but you put as much as you like since the dough will expand.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes depending on the size of the baking molds. A toothpick inserted in the center of the cake should come out clean. Cool on wire racks.

My mistakes: I dont recommend putting cinnamon or vanilla sugar on top of the dough because it makes the cinnamon go spicy, black, and bitter. So stick to just bananas. You can also brush some melted butter on the top, to give it that golden finish, but mine turned out just fine without it.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

How to make it:

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients first.

In a small bowl, combine bananas, oil and egg.

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in chocolate chips and crushed walnuts (if desired) (I think walnuts go great with everything).

Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups three fourths full ( basically just right before the rim of the cup) .

Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done ( muffin test: poke the muffins with a baking stick and if the stick comes out clean, the muffins are done.)

And this would probably be my favorite of all three, I'd eat anything with a layer of frosting on top. And thank god for fast metabolism and my love of exercising.

Humming Bird Cake

 How to make it:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2  teaspoons vanilla extract

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained, ( mine came out more soggy than moist when I used the whole can, so drain just half the can and use the rest)

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
 ( I used walnuts, though I love me some pecans. Pecan pie, anyone? )

1 3/4 cups mashed bananas

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup of butter or margarine (softened)

2 packages of cream cheese (softened)

8 ounces of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract


How to make the cake:

Preheat oven at 350 F

Combine first 5 ingredients

Add eggs and oil to the same bowl and stir until ingredients are moist ( Do Not Beat!) , watch out for dry bubbles!

Stir in vanilla, pineapple, pecans, and bananas.

Pour batter into 2 or 3 greased and floured  9-inch round cake pans.

Bake for 23-28 minutes or until wooden stick is inserted in center and comes out clean.

Cool pans for 10 minutes on a wire rack.


How to make frosting:

Cream butter and cheese together.

Gradually add sugar and beat until mixture is light fluffy. If not fluffy enough, add more cream cheese.

Add vanilla.

Let cool in the fridge before using.

Spread between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Alternative: Roast some pecans or walnuts and sprinkle them on top of  frosting.



And there you have it. Three amazing delicious recipes that will entertain any brunch or gathering. Got any better banana-licious recipes? Leave your suggestions!
xo