Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes / Cake

Chocolate and banana, the perfect combination to a delicious desert. No matter how you combine them, they still taste good. (^_^) I then realize I have yet baked a cake that blends both chocolate and banana in it. Well, it's never too late right? And when I found THE recipe from Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking from my home to yours", I knew I had to try it! Since I have some ready ripen bananas around, what better excuse then to bake some right away?
This cake actually uses 1 whole cup of cocoa powder (vs 2 cup plain flour) which you can imagine how strong the chocolate aroma is. Can you see how dark the cake look...intense. :P But I do find the strong chocolate scent masking the banana taste though. :P So I went ahead and piped some Strawberry Swiss Meringue over the cakes to make it more moist. Didn't want to do big swirls of it as I worry it might just turn out too sweet. :P

Ingredients for Chocolate Banana Cupcakes (makes about 24) / Cake
2 cups (310g) all purpose flour (I used 300g cake flour)
1 cup (80g)cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
8 tbsp butter (113g), at room temperature
1 cup (250g) caster sugar (I used 180g)

1/4 cup (124g) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup buttermilk (I used 3/4 cup fresh milk + 3/4 tsp fresh lemon juice, stand 5 mins)
3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped


Method:
  • Preheat the oven to 175C. Line a baking tray with some cupcake liners. Then sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
  • In a mixer bowl, beat the butter until softened. Add the sugars and beat for 2 minutes more. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for a minute after each addition.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix in the mashed bananas. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, mixing only until they disappear into the batter.
  • Still on low speed, add the buttermilk, mixing until it is incorporated. Stir in the chopped chocolate. Divide the batter equally among the cupcake liners, filling them to about 3/4 full.
  • Bake for 14 to 15 minutes. or until a tester comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and coo.

Will be submitting it to this month's Aspiring Bakers #13: Enjoy Cupcakes! (November 2011) hosted by Min of Min's Blog.

I actually made a loaf with half of the batter and it was equally good. :) But the brown is kind of dark, it scares me a little, lol!
If you like a chocolaty cake with slight banana scent, this would be the one for you. The cake is moist and adding the chocolate chip is also key to making it great. Try it!

Okay all, have a nice day! Cheers!

12 comments:

ann low said...

WOW! Look so pretty with that pinkish icing on top. I must try this for sure. Thanks for sharing :)

鲸鱼蓝蓝蓝 said...

我喜欢小蛋糕上层的装饰
分外美丽:)

Angie's Recipes said...

Black and pink...a very pretty combination.

DG said...

Love the combination, but the cupcakes really stand out with your pinkish icing top :)

Elin said...

Chocolate and banana are great combo and what more with that lovely strawberry meringue frosting ! Drooling ! Dorie never disappoint :)

Unknown said...

My kids are still having cough, so I dare not buy banana recently :(

ReeseKitchen said...

Yum Yum!! Sure will taste good!! Oh the icing so tempting, may try out this too..:)

Min said...

Thanks for your entry, I love that pinkish frosting on top, matches very well with the cup. Yummy!

lena said...

you are right, choc and banana are definately one of the best combination. I also like the pink frosting, makes it stands out!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Ann. Hope you will like it. :)

鲸鱼蓝蓝蓝, I like the strawberry cream very much....more then the cake, lol!

Thanks Angie!

Thanks DG....true, banana plus chocolate, a perfect "marriage" in baking!Lol!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Elin! Yes, Dorie's recipe is very good...but long winded too, lol!

爱丝特, hope your boys get better soon!

Hope you will like it too Reese!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Min...heehee, yeah I thought the colour matches well too!

Yeah Lena...if I didn't add any SMB over that cupcake..it probably look like a small pile of S***, lol!