Southwestern Chocolate Banana Cake

As I mentioned yesterday, we had game night at Mike & Lauren’s on Saturday night. Colorful Cilantro Rice Since they had made green chili, I decided to make my contributions for the evening with a Southwestern flair. I brought the cilantro rice, and I also made a Southwestern chocolate banana cake for dessert.

Southwestern Chocolate Banana Cake

Chocolate and bananas are two great flavors that go great together. It’s like they were just meant to be. I made a chocolate banana cake for dessert, but I gave it a little Southwestern kick. I added a dash of cayenne pepper to the batter. Not a lot, but just enough to wake up the taste buds a bit. This was a last minute decision I made while mixing everything together. I also mixed both my black onyx coca powder and my lighter cocoa powders together, to give the best of both worlds, since both have their own unique personalities.

Preheat the oven to 350* f or 180*C.

Spray a 9″ cake pan with cooking spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper.

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste, optional

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas – about 4 medium bananas

1 cup milk

1 stick melted butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp banana extract, optional

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts – I used pecans

powdered sugar for dusting

Mash the bananas thoroughly, adding some milk if needed.

In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.

Mix the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and banana extract and melted butter together. Add the mashed bananas and mix well.

Mix the liquids into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fold in about 1/2 the chopped nuts, and just mix until all blended together. DO NOT over mix. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan.

Add the remaining nuts on the top of the batter and place in the oven. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is done and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan and dusting the top with powdered sugar. I also added some whipped cream, topped with a sprinkling of cocoa sugar, and banana chips.

This cake came out just perfect. It was so moist on the inside, and just loaded with flavor, with hints of cayenne to kick it up.

If you have never considered adding a little spice to your chocolate, watch the movie “Chocolate“, with Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Judi Dench. This is not a new idea, just one most people don’t often think of. 🙂

Think outside the box and use your imagination. Let your inhibitions run wild. Cook and have fun while you’re doing it. Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.