Banana Coffee Cake

Late last year I wanted so much to bake a banana cake when I remembered a recipe used years ago when I lived in Jamaica. It was a Banana Coffee Cake - a banana cake flavored with coffee. I increased the amount of coffee, however, using decaffeinated coffee. Well, it didn't matter much if it was decaf-coffee, it has intense coffee flavor and the sweetness of the banana made this cake a winner.

I gave a piece to a friend and her fiance, they like it enough to request the recipe. Dahlia, as I promised, here is the recipe. Post your results here when you have tried it.

Banana Coffee Cake
3 teaspoons instant coffee (I used 5 tsp)
1 cup butter (butter makes everything better)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup ripe banana (about 3)
3 tbsp hot water
1 1/2 cup sifted flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Coffee Icing
2 tbsp softened butter
1 cup sifted icing sugar
2 tsp instant coffee
2 tbsp hot water

1. Pre-heat oven 350 F. Grease a bundt pan and set aside.
2. Sift flour and add baking powder. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, the mashed ripe bananas.
5. Dissolve coffee with hot water and add to batter.
6. Gently fold in flour mixture and one cups nuts until well combined.
7. Pour into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes.
8. Leave in baking pan to cool for 5 minutes. Completely cool on a wire rack.
9. Ice cool cake with coffee icing and sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.

Enjoy!

Bridal Expo - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

This weekend I am planning on going to the Bridal Expo at the Broward Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The main reason, I am looking to see the new trends and to get inspiration for wedding cake decoration. Lately I have been drawing designs of cakes for patterns on china, flowers and dresses. I'll try to post a photo of one sketch I have do with the accompanying cake.

Have you ever attended a bridal show? This will be my first show. Let me hear from you.

This is the link for the bridal expo: http://www.greatbridalexpo.com/

Chocolate for Valentine's

With Valentine's Day just around the corner you maybe wondering what to give your honey. Most would be buying a piece of fine jewelry, or planning a quiet romantic dinner for two. Well, I am going with plan B, i.e. bake my husband, Jack, a scrumptious chocolate cake and brownies. He is not just my sweetheart, but he loves sweet with a little of his heart.

I came across a chocolate brownie recipe on Martha Stewart's website and tried it. It was absolutely delicious! Here is the recipe - it's very simple...

Fudgy Brownies

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for foil
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped (I used dark chocolate)
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) (I used pecans and chopped white chocolate)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with foil; butter foil. Set aside.


2. Place butter and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water; stir frequently, until almost melted. Remove from heat; stir until completely melted.


3. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour just until smooth (do not over mix). Fold in nuts, if using.


4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (they should form a ball when rolled between your fingers), 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely in pan.


5. Use foil to lift from pan; peel off and discard. Cut into 16 squares.

Note: Instead of dipping the dry measuring cup into the flour, spoon flour into the cup; then level flour with the straight edge of a knife. When lining the pan, press the foil neatly into the corners, and smooth the bottom and sides. If necessary, brush sides of pan with butter to help foil stay in place.

Make 16; Prep time: 25 minutes; Total time : 3 hours