Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Cocoa and Banana Small Cakes



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I came across Nancy Silverton's recipe for Cocoa and Banana Small Cakes while researching the background and and culinary accomplishments that placed her on the Gourmet Live list of 50 Women Game Changers in Food. While I didn't choose it as my feature recipe, I did place it on my "must-try" list,  with the intent of making the cakes when time permitted. I pulled the recipe while Bob was in the hospital and decided to make the small cakes for the nursing staff. The cakes, which are moist and rich, are a cross between a muffin and cupcake and they have an unusual texture that makes them a stand-out treat. The recipe is straightforward and the small cakes it produces are delicious. They can be made by anyone who has a mixing spoon and large bowl, but I do have a caution or two to share with you. My muffins did not cook in the recommended time. Ordinarily, I'd say my oven was off but it had just been re-calibrated, so I don't think that was the problem. At any rate, mine took 22 minutes to bake, so if you decide to make these,  you'll need to keep an eye on them. I'd also recommend you use high-end cocoa when you make these. I've used a domestic and an imported product in separate trials and this is a case where you get what you pay for. If you like the combination of chocolate and banana, I hope you'll give this recipe a try. You will not be disappointed. Here's the recipe.

Cocoa and Banana Small Cakes...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Nancy Silverton

Ingredients:
nonstick cooking spray
2-1/2 cups pureed banana (5 to 6 bananas)
5 large eggs
1-1/4 cups canola oil
3-1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
3-3/4 cups flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 30 1/2-cup muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.
2) In a large mixing bowl, combine banana puree, eggs and oil.
3) Sift together sugar, baking powder, baking soda, flour and cocoa. Add dry ingredients to banana mixture, stirring until just moistened.
4) Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
5) Bake until a skewer inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 30 muffins.










One Year Ago Today: Strawberry Shortcake

















Two Years Ago Today: Margarita Cheesecake

36 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

These look really good and they must be healthy because of all the banana in them. So they would be in the fruit group!

Alessandra said...

Choc and banana must be one of New Zealand favorite cake combo, this would go great here!

Ciao

Alessandra

Katarina said...

I would like to have one right now! Banana gives a lovely flavor to baked goods! Have great day!

Zee said...

ireally like your idea of combining coco and banana in a cup cake. This looks and sound delicious!

Coleens Recipes said...

I make something similar but in loaf form (I love the muffin size though!!)

kitchen flavours said...

Cocoa and banana are a perfect match! These would be lovely for tea-time snack! Thanks for sharing, have a lovely day!

Pondside said...

What a sweet thing to do - taking cake to the nursing staff. I'll be they loved these.

Kit @ i-lostinausten said...

I love these two combo! These small cakes look utterly yummy! I bet no one can resist them, I surely can't! Have a lovely day, Mary! :)

Lynn said...

The mini cakes look great, I have to get some good cocoa-curious to try it out! I see Margarita Cheesecake from 2 years ago... oh my:@)

Priya Suresh said...

Marvellous cute cakes..

shruti said...

chocolate & bananas - my two favorites ! the small cake looks yummy

Kim said...

I actually do love the combination of bananas and chocolate... Every cakes with bananas is moist, that's what I prefer. I think i'm going to give these a try!

Unknown said...

You can't go wrong with bananas and chocolate! These look yummy without being overly sweet!

JasmyneTea said...

Looks like an amazing cake recipe!
Hope you have a lovely week :)

Beth Michelle said...

These little cakes look perfect!! I love adding banana to chocolate cakes! YUM

Unknown said...

Those look fantastic. And I do love chocolate and banana together, it's been a favorite of mine for a long time now.

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

This sounds like a great recipe to make for an event a church or the office (or freeze them so I can eat one daily.) Love cocoa and bananas so this will also go on my must try list! Thanks Mary - hope you have a wonderful day.

Sarah Toasty said...

the pureed bananas make it! i tried tyler florence's version of banana bread this week, and added cocoa powder and greek yogurt to it, to die! nice job, lady!

Claudia said...

That nursing staff is so very lucky! A winning combo and since they're small - I could have 3!

Anonymous said...

sounds wonderful, wow 1 cup cocoa, thats a whole lot of anti oxidents!I will give these a try!

Sandra said...

I love this recipe, Mary! Looks and sounds really delicious and pretty easy for me to give it try! Thank you for the inspiration!

Annie said...

I love those little cakes!!!

Suzie said...

I bet they loved them. That's very generous and kind of you :)

Silver Strands said...

oh YAY! Another great recipe!

Valérie said...

I love banana with chocolate! I'm picky about muffins, but your description of this as between a cake and a muffin has me intrigued... Thank you for sharing!

Suzi said...

Great recipe, banana and chocolate, yum.

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Mary, these sound wonderful too, something my grandboys would surely like. I have your Maple Banana Nana Bread in the oven right at this moment, will post it on my blog this evening. Thank you with wishes of a great evening ahead for both you and the Silver Fox.

Natalie said...

strawberry shortcake!!


www.trendinginfashion.blogspot.com

Lisa said...

I just put a half batch of these in the oven - thanks for the recipe!

Baking Addict said...

Chocolate and banana are a winning combination. I'm sure the nurses appreciated them. Hope Bob is better now :)

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

My chocolate loving son will love these. I agree with using good cocoa. Always is a good idea. great recipe as always.

Joanne said...

I don't really eat chocolate and banana together that much, but it really is so good! Lucky nurses. :P

Ana Regalado said...

Chocolate and banana always sounds good ! Great to eat anytime of the day :) I always got a problem re baking time ( we have only a small oven here ) and I usually add more than 20 minutes or so when I bake some cake/brownies but as always it still turned out edible , I can't complain ! hahahha

Catherine said...

Dear Mary, This recipe sounds wonderful. It is rich and delicious, just the way I like it! Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Life's a shoe said...

yumyum! this sounds really good

France@beyondthepeel said...

Banana and chocolate are such perfect mates in desserts! These look especially chocolaty!

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