The Vanilla Banana Delight Slices are a beautifully layered dessert that combines light and airy sponge with a rich vanilla cream and fresh banana slices. The delicate vanilla-flavored sponge serves as the perfect base for the creamy and luxurious vanilla custard that is interspersed with thin slices of banana soaked in lemon juice, adding a zesty freshness. This dessert is a wonderful blend of textures and flavors, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.
Why You'll Love This:
This dessert is ideal for those who appreciate a soft sponge paired with creamy textures. The addition of fresh bananas not only provides a nutritional boost but also a burst of natural sweetness and a moist texture. The lemon juice enhances the bananas' flavor, adding a slight tang that cuts through the richness of the vanilla cream. It's a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed as a sweet end to a meal or as a comforting snack during a midday break.
Perfect Occasion:
Vanilla Banana Delight Slices are perfect for family gatherings, afternoon tea parties, or as a special dessert at brunches. They also make for an excellent dessert option during festive occasions like birthdays or anniversaries where a lighter, fruit-infused cake is desired. The elegant appearance of this layered dessert also makes it suitable for more formal events or as a delightful treat to enjoy during the holidays.
Decoration Tips:
To enhance the appearance of these delightful slices, consider topping them with whipped cream, grated white chocolate, and additional banana slices just before serving. This not only adds to the visual appeal but also introduces an extra layer of flavor and texture. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce could also be lovely additions that complement the overall taste and presentation of the dessert.
Ingredients for the sponge:
- 5 egg whites
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of oil
- 1 packet of vanilla pudding powder
- 1 tablespoon of sharp flour
Ingredients for the cream:
- 650 ml of milk
- 2 packets of vanilla pudding powder
- 2 tablespoons of corn starch
- 5 egg yolks
- 150 g of sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 100 g of butter, at room temperature
- 200 ml of heavy cream, whipped
- 2-3 bananas
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Line a 40 x 30 cm baking tray with parchment paper.
- Beat the egg whites into stiff peaks, gradually adding sugar. Blend in the oil at low speed, then gently fold in the vanilla pudding powder and flour using a spatula.
- Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool slightly and cut into three equal strips lengthwise. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
- For the cream, separate 150 ml of milk and dissolve the pudding powder, corn starch, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla sugar in it. Bring the remaining milk to a boil, then whisk in the pudding mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, cover with plastic wrap, and let cool slightly.
- Mix the cooled cream with room temperature butter until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
- Assemble by layering sponge, cream, and thinly sliced bananas drizzled with lemon juice. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
- Coat the entire cake with cream. Optionally, decorate with whipped cream, grated white chocolate, and banana slices.
Enjoy these Vanilla Banana Delight Slices, a refreshing dessert that combines the creamy textures of vanilla with the sweet, tangy zest of fresh bananas!