Banana cake

For other uses, see Banana cake (disambiguation).
A banana cupcake

A banana cake is a cake prepared using banana as a primary ingredient and typical cake ingredients. It can be prepared in various manners, including as a layer cake, as muffins and as cupcakes. Steamed banana cake is found in Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisine.[1][2][3] In the Philippines, the term "banana cake" refers to banana bread introduced during the American colonial period of the Philippines.[4]

Preparation

Banana cake is prepared using banana as a primary ingredient and typical cake ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, butter, margarine or oil and baking soda.[5][6][7][8] The bananas can be mashed or puréed using a food processor or electric mixer and mixed into the cake batter,[5][6] and the cake can also be topped or garnished with sliced bananas.[6] Banana cake may be prepared as a use for browned or overly-ripe bananas.[5][7] Chocolate may be used as an ingredient,[9] which along with the banana is an enjoyable flavor combination for some people.[6] Nuts such as walnuts and macadamias may be used in the batter[10][11] and to top and garnish the cake.[10]

An icing or glaze may be used in the cake's preparation,[6] which can include alcoholic beverages such as bourbon in it.[10] Banana cake can be baked, and also prepared as a steamed cake, for which a food steamer may be used.[6][7] Banana cake may have a moist texture.[8] It can be prepared as a layer cake,[6][10] and the cake batter can be used to prepare banana muffins and cupcakes.[8][12] It can be prepared as a vegetarian dish and as a low-fat dish.[9]

  • Banana cakes
  • Slices of banana cake
    Slices of banana cake
  • A chocolate banana cake garnished with strawberry ice cream
    A chocolate banana cake garnished with strawberry ice cream
  • A banana cake garnished with sliced banana
    A banana cake garnished with sliced banana

Types

In Chinese cuisine

Banana cakes flavored with red bean paste

In Chinese cuisine, banana cake is a type of gao, which refers to steamed, flour-based cakes.[1] Chinese gao is typically served along with meals or between meals with tea, and is typically not served as a dessert.[1]

In Burmese (Myanmar) cuisine

In Burmese cuisine, banana cake is a popular dessert.[13] It is frequently served at weddings, birthday parties, and feasts. It is also eaten during the Ramadan festival of Eid.

Bánh chuối

Main article: Bánh chuối
Bánh chuối prepared in the style of a pancake

Bánh chuối is a Vietnamese banana cake or bread pudding.[3] The cake is typically steamed, and the bread pudding may be baked.[3]

Kue nagasari

Main article: Nagasari
See also: Kue
Unwrapped kue nagasari

Kue nagasari is a popular Indonesian steamed banana cake that can be prepared using banana, mung bean flour or rice flour, coconut milk and sugar.[2][14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Tropp, B. (1982). The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking. Cookbook Library. Morrow. p. 518. ISBN 978-0-688-00566-5.
  2. ^ a b Long, L.M. (2015). Ethnic American Food Today: A Cultural Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 294. ISBN 978-1-4422-2731-6.
  3. ^ a b c Le, H. (2014). Vietnamese Food with Helen's Recipes. Createspace Independent Pub. pp. 158–161. ISBN 978-1-5005-2971-0.
  4. ^ "Banana Bread Recipe". Panlasang Pinoy. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Greenspan, D.; Richardson, A. (2006). Baking: From My Home to Yours. Houghton Mifflin. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-618-44336-9.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Reisman, R. (2002). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Light Desserts. Alpha Books. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-0-02-864446-2.
  7. ^ a b c Mahunnop, W. (2013). 25 Delicious Banana Recipes. JustZen. p. 18.
  8. ^ a b c Paré, J. (2002). The Rookie Cook. Company's Coming. Company's Coming Publishing, Limited. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-895455-92-2.
  9. ^ a b Moll, Lucy (January 1993). "A Better Banana Cake". Vegetarian Times (185): 22.
  10. ^ a b c d Brass, M.; Brass, S.; Ryan, A. (2015). Baking with the Brass Sisters. St. Martin's Press. pp. 64–66. ISBN 978-1-250-06435-6. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  11. ^ Heldstab, Celeste (2005). The Kitchen Grimoire Volume 4. Celeste Heldstab. p. 402. ISBN 978-0-9774722-3-9.
  12. ^ Koch, M.; Legato, S. (2012). Eat More of what You Love. Running Press. p. 322. ISBN 978-0-7624-4589-9.
  13. ^ "Burmese Banana Cake with Cinnamon Flavor Recipe by Chef Naing Win : Recipe from Top Asian Chefs". Top Asian Chefs. 2022-09-07. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  14. ^ Von Holzen, H.; Hutton, W.; Arsana, L. (1999). The Food of Indonesia: Authentic Recipes from the Spice Islands. Periplus World Food Series. Periplus Editions. p. 114. ISBN 978-962-593-389-4.

Further reading