Mark the end of the year with a bang with this Celebratory Banana Stracciatella Cake, a masterpiece that combines the creamy indulgence of mascarpone and quark with the rich, chocolatey goodness of stracciatella and the natural sweetness of bananas. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s a festive celebration on a plate, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will leave you and your guests wanting more.
Why You’ll Love This:
This cake stands out for its exquisite combination of airy sponge, creamy filling, and the delightful crunch of chocolate shavings, all complemented by the fresh, fruity burst of bananas. It’s a sophisticated yet comforting dessert that’s sure to impress with its looks and tastes. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to end the year on a high note, this cake will be the highlight of your table.
Perfect Occasion:
Ideal for New Year’s celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, or any festive gathering that calls for something truly special. It’s a showstopper that can serve as the centerpiece of your dessert table, promising to make any occasion memorable.
Decoration Tips:
Enhance the elegance of your cake by decorating the top with swirls of the reserved cream, additional chocolate shavings, and banana slices arranged in a decorative pattern. For a festive touch, consider edible gold leaf or glitter.
Ingredients for the Sponge:
- 3 eggs
- 150g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 150ml sparkling water
- 150ml oil
- 180g flour
- 45g cocoa powder
- 75g cornstarch
- 1/2 packet of baking powder
Ingredients for the Cream:
- 250g mascarpone
- 250g quark (or a similar creamy cheese)
- 200ml cream
- 100g powdered sugar
- 4 packets of cream stabilizer
- 100g chocolate shavings
Additionally:
- 3 bananas
Instructions:
- Sponge Preparation:
- Whip eggs, vanilla sugar, and sugar on high speed for about 5 minutes until fluffy.
- Gradually add sparkling water and oil, mixing gently.
- Sift in flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and cocoa powder, folding carefully into the wet mixture.
- Pour batter into a greased 26cm/24cm springform pan.
- Bake at 170°C (338°F) for approximately 30-40 minutes. Conduct a skewer test at 30 minutes.
- Let the cake cool completely after baking.
- Cream Preparation:
- Beat cream with powdered sugar, cream stabilizer, quark, and mascarpone until stiff.
- Set aside 3 tablespoons of the cream for decoration.
- Gently fold in the chocolate shavings.
- Assembly:
- Slice bananas lengthwise and arrange on the cooled sponge.
- Spread the cream over the bananas, smoothing the surface.
- Decorate with the reserved cream and additional chocolate shavings if desired.
- Refrigerate until serving.
Enjoy this Celebratory Banana Stracciatella Cake as a grand finale to your year, a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will make your festive occasions even more delightful.
