BANANA AND WALNUT CAKE

Banana & Walnut Cake is something that goes perfectly with your morning and evening tea/coffees. Moist, soft, fluffy, not too sweet and a lovely crunch from walnuts, just right! Not only is this one of the most delicious things to eat, but also a total pleasure to make. A simple bake, One to Keep! As the bananas ripen, they become sweeter and it adds a great caramelly like intensity or texture to the cake. (So make sure that you have overripe bananas with you).

There are many variants of making a banana cake like Hazelnut Banana Cake, Banana Oat Breakfast cake, Chocochip Banana Cake and many more. I tried making a simple Banana and walnut cake with a hint of cinnamon. Being a Vegetarian so of course Eggless! This cake could be served plain or you could frost the cake with cream icing or butter if you wish. This dessert is perfect if you are expecting guests at home or you can pop a slice or two into your kids lunch/Snack box. You can bake this cake in a muffin tray or in an aluminium Tin/tray. So let’s begin with the recipe.

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes 

Total Time: 50 Minutes

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients: 

1. Over ripe Large Bananas – 4-5 

1. Self-Raising Flour or Maida – 2 Cups

1. Baking Powder – 1 tsp

1. Baking Soda – 1/2 tsp

1. Regular sugar – 1/2 cup

1. Oil – 2/3 cup

1. Vanilla Extract -1 tsp

1. Halved Walnuts – 10-12

Method:

• Preheat your microwave at 180 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Peel and Chop the bananas and add into a bowl, mash them evenly with a fork, take care that no chunks are left. Or you may use a blender to get a fine puree.
• Then add Sugar, Oil and Vanilla extract, (I used regular vegetable oil).
• Stir the mixture very well so that sugar dissolves and the oil mixes with the banana puree.
• Sieve and add the self-raising flour/Maida, add baking soda, baking powder and salt directly in the bowl.
• Now fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently and very well.
• Add chopped walnuts into it and fold again. You may also add any other dry fruits of your choice.
• Now pour the batter into a greased cake or lined loaf pan. (I used an aluminium cake tray).
• Gently tap the pan so that the batter settles in evenly.
• Place the tray into the microwave/oven. Bake in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 40 -45 minutes.
• Insert a tooth pick to check whether your cake is properly baked or not. If it comes out clean it means your cake is nicely baked. If you feel it still needs to be baked properly then take your call and bake accordingly.
• Do not brown your cake much (keep an eye) if you feel the top of your cake is browning then cover the top with an aluminium foil.
• Once your cake is cooled, slice it and serve it with Tea or Coffee.

Notes:

• The cake might take more or less time depending upon the temperature in your oven/ microwave and the size of your cake pan.
• The tip is to insert a tooth pick in the cake and check if it comes out clean. If it does, then your cake is perfectly baked.
• You may also use wheat flour in case if you are running out of Self-raising flour and you still you wish to bake!