Tuesday, August 5, 2008

TWD: Chocolate n' Banana Loaf Cakes



Actually, the name of the TWD this week is Black & White Banana Loaf...but that surely doesn't do it justice like Chocolate n' Banana Cakes does to me.

Ashlee from A Year in the Kitchen's chose the loaf this week, and it's a good pick. Why? Because it has CHOCOLATE in it and not one hint of fruit. YAY. Oh, plus it has liquor which is always fun.



People in the P&Q were saying the loaf was very dense and that it came out too moist. I love the P&Q because it basically keeps me from making the same mistakes that sometimes have other TWD-ites re-making the recipe (since I always do it Monday night I never would have the time to do it over again!).

Reading the recipe, you make the batter much like a cake. Cream the butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Then add the flour and milk...the recipe just called for pouring milk in all at once, but I did it in 2 batches with flour in between like a cake and whipped it at the end.



I melted a mixture of bittersweet & milk chocolate in the microwave with Kahlua, heavy cream & coffee extract. Mixed it together til smooth. This was my 'chocolate' base for the batter that I mixed in later.



Dropped the batters in spoonfuls to try to get the marbling effect and used the knife the way the book explained. I figured it was more fun to have chunky marbles than really swirly ones. I figured out to use separate spoons to keep the lines cleaner, and baked.



I used a 3" cylinder tall cake pan, a small heart shaped ceramic baker, and 6 little paper tart shaped containers that I have been dying to try out. You don't need a muffin pan for them, so it was fun to try them out.



Taste on the marbled cakes...AMAZING! They were soft yet slightly dense, nothing like a banana bread but more like a thick cake. The extras in the chocolate mixture adds an extra depth of flavor to the chocolate portion. The fact that I used a little less banana means that the banana taste is not that strong, but I like it. It's subtle and makes you think.



I also baked two tiny cupcakes, one of just banana and one of just chocolate banana batter to gauge the taste separately...I love kitchen experiments. Especially when they come out right. This banana batter on it's own could easly make a fabulously spongy banana cake. The chocolate banana batter, ORGASMIC. It was so amazingly rich and chocolatey...and was, as a good friend likes to say, 'sticks to your teeth' moist. I wished I had a handful more of these.



Interestingly enough, the cakes didn't reek of banana at all...and in fact the banana was almost an after taste. It was hard to pinpoint any one taste which is what we loved about this recipe.



I have all sorts of ideas now on what to do with this recipe moving fwd. I love it. Check out the rest of the TWD community's loaves and variations as well.

Quick recap of my modifications for anyone wanting to try them:
Mixed bittersweet & milk chocolate, coffee extract, 1 tblspn heavy cream and Kahlua for the chocolate mixture. I did not measure chocolate but I used more than the recipe called for. Added cinnamon with the nutmeg while sifting flour, salt, baking powder together. Recipe called for whisking dry together, but I sifted for a finer crumb. I used 3/4 of one banana for 2/3 of the recipe and a little more flour.

Feel like a topping? Mix a little melted chocolate and some heavy cream and pour over, then garnish with coconut. Enjoy!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I just love the experiments, too. And the P & Q section...so helpful. Your little baking cups are so cute, and practical. Love all the photos and the post...great job, as always!

Kat said...

This looks so yummy! I have just ordered the cookbook, so that I can join in on these fun experiments!

Sihan said...

great job! the mini baking cups look so adorable!

and yes kat! u must join in all the action!

TeaLady said...

I love the pans you used for this loaf/cake. Really looks good. Wish I was creative enough to make the substitutions/additions so many of you do.

Kat, you will love the experience.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Yours are all so pretty! I like the big marbles over the swirly also. Thanks for the info on adding the flavors to the chocolate - sounds divine!

Nancy
The Dogs Eat the Crumbs

Bumblebutton said...

They look super terrific! Your photos are gorgeous--particularly the melting chocolate squares. Mmmmm.

Pamela said...

As usual, you have some fabulous photos. I loved the idea of the add-ons that you did. Sounds so GOOD!

Anne said...

It looks wonderful in those cute little pans and I love the marbling! Awesome job!

Mary Ann said...

Looks and sounds amazing! I love the little pans and all your modifications!

CB said...

Mmmmm... kahlua! Love the little brioche loaves. So cute! Great job!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

Amy said...

Wow! Looks great! I love the cute little mini cakes.

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

Yours looks heavenly! Great combinations!

I love brown eggs!

Nickki said...

Kahula...yum! Your cakes look delicious. I agree the chocolate batter was gorgeous! :)

Anonymous said...

The mini cupcakes are jsut the perfect portion for this! Coconut on top is a fantastic idea!

Rigby said...

So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Your cupcakes are lovely!

Anonymous said...

OMG! Finally that thinks the same way I do! I also thought that it bearly tasted like banana and I was pretty surprised no one had mentioned that on their entries. But I guess that makes us two :)
And great topping... I always feel like some topping so I think I might use it for the left cake...

Anonymous said...

Wow, these turned out great! And so nicely marbled...

Heather B said...

Your marbling came out great! Love the little cakes!

Anonymous said...

Those containers are so cute! Your little cakes are adorable. Awesome job!

Engineer Baker said...

Mini brioche-shaped loaves - too cute! Love the experiment and the topping too.

Anonymous said...

i like your modifications. the kahlua is one i'll try out when if i make this again.

slush said...

I love your little cakes! So freakin cute.

Passionate Baker said...

oh woww...what you did with your loafs are SO cool!!
they look amazing!!
great job!
<3

Linda said...

I love all of the fun little pans you used...especially the little brioche shapes!

Linda
http://www.tendercrumb.blogspot.com

hoagiefest 2020 said...

I think you may have inspired me to make an all-out chocolate banana loaf. Thanks!

Prudy said...

In my book, you win best of show. Those all look and sound so yummy.

Jacque said...

Wow, you definitely get an A+ for variety. Love all the little shapes and your marbleing looks terrific!

Peabody said...

Melted chocolate and coconut...talk about taking it to the next level...yum!

Jayne said...

Awesome job! I love your chocolate mixture - I'll have to try that. And your little paper tart shaped containers are adorable!

Honeyed Hashette said...

This looks wonderful and moist and I think I need some right now!
YOu crack me up with booze in your bakes. :)

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

I love those pretty baking cups!! I was supposed to start TWD this week, but with the new job I forgot all about it! Hopefully I'll still have time to do it every other week.

And no, I didn't find out MD was orange based until last christmas. I bet my dad $50 that it wasn't... Then I read the ingredients on the bottle. Yep he was right!

Cecilia said...

What pretty banana chocolate cakes! Coconut is a nice topping; way to be creative!

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

Oh wow, those look amazing! I'm loving the little fluted cakes, and the kahlua, and the coconut, yummy all around. Great job with this recipe!

Natalie said...

Nice job! I'm going to have to do some experimenting like you did.

LyB said...

What a beautifully shaped little cake! And your marbling is perfect. I loved this recipe. :)

PheMom said...

Gorgeous little cakes you have there!

Susan @ SGCC said...

Wow! They all look beautiful! What a great job! I love the Kahlua and coffee idea. That sounds like heaven!

Shari said...

Adding Kahulua is a great idea! And I love the mini fluted tart pans you used. Adorable!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog

Lot-O-Choc said...

Mm wow what a great idea to put it in cupcake cases for a small bite, looks so good :D.

Mari said...

I love those pans! Sigh...another thing for my wish list!

Karleen said...

Thanks for the comment! I love your little cakes with the coconut on top! Next time I include Malibu in a recipe I'll be sure to sprinkle some coconut on the top also to match the flavor.

Gigi said...

I always enjoy your fun kitchen experiments. The cupcake at the end looks super duper delicious!

Faery said...

My dear Mara this blog is always so yummy, all the recipes and pictures are beautiful.
Mara, I have a present for you in my blog

betty geek said...

Hook this up! :D