Embark on a baking journey with this Effortless Homemade Banana Cake, featuring a moist chocolate sponge layered with silky pastry cream and fresh banana slices, topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. This recipe simplifies the art of cake making without compromising on taste or texture, making it a perfect choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, this banana cake is sure to impress with its delightful combination of flavors and textures. The addition of bananas adds a natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, making each bite irresistibly good. Follow this easy guide to create a cake that looks as splendid as it tastes, and watch it become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire.
Why You'll Love This:
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: Achieves a bakery-quality cake with straightforward steps.
- Versatile Cream Filling: The pastry cream can be customized with different fruit according to season or preference.
- Decadent Ganache Topping: The chocolate ganache adds a rich and smooth finishing touch that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for any gathering, this cake is bound to please all palates with its balanced sweetness and moist texture.
Perfect Occasion:
Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebratory event where you want to make a statement with a homemade cake. It's also great for casual get-togethers, offering a comforting and satisfying dessert option that's both familiar and exciting.
Decoration Tips:
- Banana Slices: Arrange fresh banana slices on top of the cake before pouring the ganache for a decorative and flavorful touch.
- Chocolate Shavings: Garnish the ganache with chocolate shavings or curls for an added texture and visual appeal.
- Whipped Cream: Pipe dollops of whipped cream around the edges of the cake for a more refined look.
Chocolate Sponge Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup minus two fingers' width granulated sugar
- 1 cup minus two fingers' width all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 packet baking powder
Pastry Cream Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 4 cups milk
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon butter
For the Ganache:
- 1 box cream, heated but not boiling
- 160g chocolate, chopped (half milk, half dark)
Additional:
- 2 or 3 bananas, diced
- 1 packet whipped cream powder
- Milk for moistening the sponge layers
Instructions:
- Sponge Preparation: Whip eggs and sugar until pale and thick. Fold in sifted dry ingredients. Spread evenly in a prepared baking tray and bake at 338°F (170°C) until set.
- Pastry Cream: Cook flour, cornstarch, sugar, egg yolks, and milk over medium heat until thick. Off the heat, stir in vanilla and butter. Cool under plastic wrap touching the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Whip with cream powder and fold in bananas.
- Assembly: Slice the sponge horizontally, moisten with milk, layer with half the cream, add the top sponge layer, moisten, and cover with the remaining cream.
- Ganache: Pour heated cream over chocolate, stir until smooth, and pour over the cake once slightly cooled.
Indulge in the creation of this heavenly Homemade Banana Cake, where simplicity meets elegance in every slice. Enjoy the luscious layers of flavor and texture that make this cake a true celebration of home baking.