Colombian Banana Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 30g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
3. 3.
   In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. 4.
   Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. 7.
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. 8.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. 9.
   Once the cake has cooled, frost it with cream cheese frosting and decorate as desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ripe bananas — Use bananas that are fully ripe with brown spots on the skin. They will provide the best flavor and sweetness to the cake.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake batter.
• Make sure to fully cool the cake before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

Serving advice

Serve the Colombian Banana Cake as a delightful dessert after a Colombian-inspired meal. It pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can garnish the cake with banana slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a dusting of powdered sugar.