May 17, 2010

Yesterday morning my kids headed off to church with their grandma while I went about my usual Sunday morning routine…baking. Sunday mornings are so peaceful around here with the kids being away and my favorite way to spend them is baking up something yummy.

I decided on a banana cake with chocolate frosting and set about getting all the ingredients I would need lined up on my counter top. Somewhere along the way, I accidentally grabbed a jar of peanut butter and as I was reaching to put it back in the cabinet, I was struck with inspiration. Banana cake, chocolate frosting. Surely, peanut butter could only improve on those flavors, right?

I’m a bit of a peanut butter addict, if you hadn’t already noticed.

This cake came out super moist, with a strong banana flavor and just a hint of peanut butter hiding out in the background. The chocolate frosting was my mama’s recipe and it just fit this cake perfectly.

For some reason my frosting was very runny this time around. I’ve made it countless times with no problems, so I assume that I just didn’t boil it for exactly sixty seconds like my mama says to do. I just added in an extra half cup of chocolate chips and it thickened right up and was as delicious as always. Moral of the story: add more chocolate and all your wrongs will be righted.

I sprinkled on about a cup of chopped walnuts. It seemed like the right thing to do. You could also mix the nuts in the cake batter, but then they wouldn’t look so pretty on the shiny frosting.

Peanut Butter Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk (or just regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
3 medium bananas, mashed
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, optional (mix in the batter with the bananas or sprinkle on top of the frosting)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, peanut butter.

In a separate bowl (or your mixing cup if you don’t want to dirty another bowl), combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Add flour and buttermilk alternately to the batter. Stir in bananas.

Pour batter into a greased 9×13 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

my mama’s recipe

1 cup white sugar
6 tbsp butter
6 tbsp milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)

Add sugar, butter, and milk to a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Boil for exactly 60 seconds and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips and continue stirring until the chocolate has melted. Use frosting immediately as it will harden quickly. Makes about 2 cups and will frost a 9×13 pan of whatever delicious treat you’re baking.

Cake, Dessert, Fruit

20 comments »

20 Responses to “Peanut Butter Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting”

Jessica @ How Sweet May 17, 2010 @ 8:34 am (#
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You combined the 3 best flavors I could ever think possible. Give me some crumbled bacon on top and I’d be a happy girl. Delicious!
JoAnn May 17, 2010 @ 9:12 am (#
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Oh my! I will definitely be making this. Great photos!
genesis May 17, 2010 @ 9:39 am (#
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i love you! you always post recipes when i have all the ingredients on hand and need to use them up QUICK! you can bet ill be making this cake tonight!
ashley May 17, 2010 @ 9:41 am (#
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My family would go crazy for this cake. My husband eats banana and pb sandwiches almost everyday and who doesnt love chocolate? Since i have all the ingredients I might just surprise them today with this!
Maria May 17, 2010 @ 10:03 am (#
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PB, Banana, and chocolate-this one has it all! Love it!
valen May 17, 2010 @ 10:52 am (#
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I bet this was super delicious, it sure looks it!
grace May 17, 2010 @ 2:56 pm (#
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the walnuts on top are the perfect touch. this is a powerful combination of flavors–hallelujah and amen.
ashley May 17, 2010 @ 4:15 pm (#
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Just wanted to update saying I did make this and although Im waiting until after dinner to have a slice I did sneak a tiny bit and its heavenly! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
shelly (cookies and cups) May 18, 2010 @ 7:26 am (#
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I think it looks great with the thinner icing! I bet it tasted delicious!
Mary May 18, 2010 @ 9:34 am (#
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Your cake looks wonderful. This is my first visit to your blog. I had planned only to say hello but ended up staying far longer than I intended. I love your recipes and like the tone of your blog. I’ll be back often. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Joanne May 18, 2010 @ 4:57 pm (#
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From one peanut butter lover to another, this looks and sounds awesome! I stumbled upon your blog from Tastespotting and think you are so funny!
Sue June 13, 2010 @ 8:05 pm (#
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How about chopped peanuts on top? Thanks!
M Jarman November 4, 2012 @ 7:58 pm (#
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I love the recipe for the chocolate, peanut butter, banana cake but would like to know the baking instructions if I wanted to make it in a tube pan or bundt pan. Do you know?

Thank you!
- Karly — November 4th, 2012 @ 8:25 pm
  
  @M Jarman,
  
  Hello! I’ve not tried this recipe in a bundt pan. I think you’ll just need to adjust the cooking time. It will probably take quite a bit longer, so I would just keep an eye on it and test for doneness. I’m guessing it will take around an hour to bake. Hope that helps!