It has been one of those weeks that desperately required a sweet. Not just any little ole sweet but a down and dirty, honest to goodness, sweet. Which for me is anything that includes chocolate.
I think this cake has it all. It’s totally and unabashedly sweet. The kind of sweet that requires either a large glass of milk or a lovely cup of tea. A cake rich with banana, dark chocolate, marshmallow cream and another drizzle of chocolate. I believe I have achieved my goal.
This cake recipe came from one of my favorite chocolate cookbooks written by Max Brenner, Chocolate, A Love Story. The original title is so fun it caught my eye immediately – Lipstick Banana Chocolate Cake Bonbons enrobed in well-behaved white chocolate and a nutmeg lady’s coat. How fun is that? It stopped my page turning immediately. I read through it, bookmarked it and now it’s one of my go to sweet recipes for when I need a little indulgence. I’ve made the recipe as written and then I’ve deviated. I think you know by now I love to deviate.
This is my deviated version, or one of them at least. I was too lazy to cut squares out of the cake to make the bonbons, so I decided to make the recipe using these cute little cupcake papers. Rather than topping these cakes with the white chocolate glaze, I did what I often do… top that cake with some marshmallow cream. I know, you can’t believe I have marshmallow cream in my pantry! I do. It sneaks in the pantry once a year around the holidays for baking and for dipping into with large spoons for general holiday merriment. For some reason my jar of marshmallow cream was never opened this last holiday. So I put it to good use on these cakes.
These are fun, festive and most of all, satisfies the sweet tooth!
I’m taking a little time off to enjoy my family this next week. A little hiking, a little biking, lots of reading, my daughter hopes a little shopping is included, definitely exploring some new restaurants and popping open that bottle of Rocca wine I’ve beens saving. If you are on Instagram I’ll be posting some candids of our week so be sure to check it out. And I promise I’ll post something completely delicious when I return. Happy Spring!
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love,
Karista
Banana Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Cream
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup sour cream or creme fraiche, room temperature
- 3/4 sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons aged brown rum (I used 1 teaspoon rum extract)
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 ounces dark chocolate chips (I probably used a bit more)
For the Topping
- Marshmallow Cream
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
- Either butter and flour an 8 inch loaf pan or use cupcake liners for a cupcake tin
- In an electric mixer or by hand, mix together the mashed bananas, butter and sour cream until smooth. Gradually mix in the sugar, egg and rum or rum extract.
- In a separate bowl mix together the the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture, mixing just until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan or cupcake tin and then place them in the oven. Turn the heat down to 325F. Bake until puff and golden brown on top. The loaf pan should take about 40 minutes, the cupcakes should take about 20-30 minutes.
- Gently heat the dark chocolate and tablespoon of water in the microwave 10-15 seconds at a time, whisking gently until the chocolate is smooth enough to drizzle.
- Let the cake/cupcakes cool and then top with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle right before serving.
These are completely gorgeous and I share the sentiment – this week also required a treat for me and I’m not one to refuse a sweet 🙂
There is nothing like a sweet treat to make everything better. 🙂
Enjoy your time off and family this week! I need a sweet just about every week. As long as it’s homemade and made with love, I have no problem indulging!!! I love that you have a secret stash of marshmallow cream in your pantry! 🙂
Thank you Kelley! I was so surprised no one had opened that jar of marshmallow cream! I think I may have hidden it really well last holiday season.
i’m requesting these for dessert when i visit! 🙂
You got it! 🙂
Great cupcakes Karists! I made them with my grandson today. Thanks for another winning recipe!!
So happy you loved those cupcakes. They are always a hit with my kiddos. And what’s not to love about marshmallow cream. 🙂 Have a great week Jim!