Banana Chocolate Cake with Silky Chocolate Frosting

🛒Ingredients

For the cake

• 4 ripe medium bananas
• 4 eggs
• 200 g oil of your choice (I used corn oil)
• 1 vanilla extract
• 400 g sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 300 g self-rising flour (or all-purpose flour + 1 tbsp baking powder)
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 100 g cocoa powder
• 400 g boiling water

For the frosting

• 400 g dark chocolate (couverture)
• 400 g heavy cream
• 1 tbsp honey

For the topping (optional)

• Coarsely chopped hazelnuts

Preparation

For the cake

1️⃣  Prepare the pans.
I like this cake baked in a rectangular loaf pan, though the batter doesn’t quite fit so I pour the rest into 4 individual cupcake molds. You can also use a classic round cake pan if you prefer. Butter and line the pans you’ll be using.

2️⃣Mix the dry ingredients.
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder.

3️⃣Prepare the wet mixture.
In another bowl, mash the bananas with a fork, then add the eggs and oil. Stir until well combined.

4️⃣ Combine and smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula.

5️⃣Add the hot water.
Pour in the boiling water in 3 additions, mixing each time until the batter is smooth and glossy.

🔥 Bake.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you’ve made smaller cupcakes, check them after about 30 minutes.

❄️ Cool.
Let the cake cool completely before spreading the chocolate cream on top.

For the frosting

1️⃣Melt the chocolate.
Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler (bain-marie). You can also melt it carefully in the microwave, just make sure it doesn’t burn.

2️⃣Add the cream and honey.
Gradually stir in the heavy cream, then mix in the honey until the mixture becomes smooth and shiny.

3️⃣Let it set.
Allow the frosting to cool to room temperature so it thickens slightly and no longer runs.

4️⃣Decorate.
Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cake. Use the back of a spoon to create soft waves or little peaks for an extra luscious look.
Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts if desired they add a lovely crunch but the cake is heavenly even without them.

Source: https://cookeatup.com/en/banana-chocolate-cake-with-silky-chocolate-frosting/