Cherry-Banana Glass Tray Cake: A Delightful Layered Dessert

Indulge in the rich flavors and textures of this Cherry-Banana Glass Tray Cake. This delightful dessert features layers of moist chocolate and vanilla cake, creamy pastry cream, and fresh cherries and bananas. The combination of bittersweet chocolate and fresh fruit creates a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: This recipe offers a wonderful medley of flavors and textures that will captivate your taste buds. The soft and fluffy cake layers, combined with the rich pastry cream and fresh fruits, make each bite a delight. The addition of chocolate and cherries adds a touch of elegance, while the bananas bring in a tropical sweetness. This dessert is perfect for those who appreciate a sophisticated yet comforting treat.

Perfect Occasions for This Dessert: This Cherry-Banana Glass Tray Cake is perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or any special occasion where you want to impress your guests. Its beautiful presentation and delicious taste make it a standout dessert for birthdays, anniversaries, or festive dinners. It’s also a great choice for potlucks and picnics, where it can be served directly from the tray.

Decoration Tips:

• Garnish the top with finely grated milk chocolate for an elegant touch.
• Add a few whole cherries and banana slices on top for a visual hint of the flavors inside.
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a classic finish.
• Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Ingredients:

• For the Pastry Cream:
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 heaping tablespoons flour
  • 2 heaping tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 packet vanilla
  • 1.8 oz (50g) butter or margarine
  • 4.2 oz (120g) bittersweet chocolate
  • 1 packet powdered whipped cream mix
• For the Cake:
  • 2 eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 tea glass granulated sugar
  • 1 tea glass milk
  • 1 tea glass vegetable oil
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (add gradually)
  • 1.5 packets baking powder
  • 1 packet vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons milk (to mix the cocoa batter)
  • 2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 cup pitted cherries
• For the Filling:
  • 3 bananas
• For the Topping:
  • Grated milk chocolate

1. Prepare the Pastry Cream:
   • In a suitable saucepan, combine the milk, flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and egg yolks. Mix well and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils and thickens.
   • Remove from heat and stir in the bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and butter until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
   • Let the pastry cream cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.
   • Before using, beat the pastry cream with the powdered whipped cream mix until smooth and creamy.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a glass baking dish.
   • In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until frothy.
   • Add the milk and vegetable oil, and mix well.
   • Gradually add the flour, vanilla, and baking powder, mixing until you get a smooth batter.
   • Divide the batter into two equal parts. Add cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of milk to one part, and mix until well combined.
3. Assemble and Bake the Cake:
   • Pour the chocolate batter into the greased glass dish, spreading it evenly.
   • Pour the plain batter over the chocolate batter, spreading it gently.
   • Arrange the pitted cherries evenly over the top.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes.
   • Let the cake cool completely in the dish.
4. Assemble the Dessert:
   • Once the cake has cooled, slice the bananas and arrange them evenly over the cake.
   • Spread the prepared pastry cream over the bananas, smoothing it out with a spatula.
   • Grate milk chocolate using the finest side of the grater and sprinkle it evenly over the pastry cream.
5. Chill and Serve:
   • Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set.
   • Serve chilled, slicing into portions directly from the glass dish.

Final Touch: Enjoy this delicious and visually stunning Cherry-Banana Glass Tray Cake. Each bite offers a delightful combination of creamy, fruity, and chocolatey goodness, perfect for any special occasion.

Enjoy!