For the Moist Banana Cake:
- 1 ½ cups of bananas, mashed to a creamy dream
- ½ cup of Greek yogurt, the secret to moist tenderness
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, a whisper of exotic aroma
- 3 eggs, the binders of joy
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, a pinch of the sea's essence
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, a sprinkle of spice
- 1 ⅓ cups of granulated sugar, sweet as a smile
- ⅔ cup of buttermilk, the tangy dancer
- 1 stick of butter, melted and cooled, a silky river
- 3 cups of flour, the canvas of the cake
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder, the rise to the occasion
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda, the airy lift
For the Cinnamon Heart:
- ¾ cup of brown sugar, deep and caramel-like
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, the spice of life
For the Crumble Crown:
- 1 cup of flour, a sandy foundation
- ⅓ cup of brown sugar, the sweet crunch
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, the fragrant sprinkle
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, the flavor sharpener
- 3.1 oz of butter, the crumbly glue
Creating the Indulgence:
- Warm your oven to 180°C (350°F), line a 9x13 pan with parchment, a parchment paper hug.
- For the crumble, dance the flour, sugar, and cinnamon together. Add the melted butter and chill this crumbly treasure.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas to pudding perfection, then whisk in the yogurt, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, butter, buttermilk, salt, and vanilla until they sing in harmony.
- Rain in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, mixing until they're just caught in the melody. Avoid overmixing; we seek a tender crumb.
- Lay down half the batter in the pan, then sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon heart. Add the remaining batter and smooth with a spatula's gentle touch.
- Crown with the chilled crumble, pressing it into the batter's soft embrace.
- Bake until the cake passes the toothpick test, about 40-45 minutes. Let cool, then drizzle with a simple glaze if desired.
Baker's Wisdom:
- Press the crumble in gently; it should cling to the cake, not tumble.
- Room temperature ingredients blend smoothly, no jarring cold shocks.
- Treat the batter kindly; overmixing invites toughness.
- Measure flour with care, spoon and level for the perfect measure.
- Add-ins are welcome; make it your canvas, from chocolate chips to nuts.
- Patience rewards you with a cake that's firm yet moist, holding together in every slice.
Enjoy the rich embrace of banana and cinnamon, a cake that's as comforting as a warm blanket on a cool evening. Each bite is a mix of soft cake and crunchy crumble, a harmony of textures and flavors.
