The way I can tell if a dessert is a hit or not is by the number of additional servings TheHub eats. A couple of nights ago we had planned leftovers (He hates leftovers unless they are reformatted) from our St Patricks meal. I made a veggie laden corned beef hash (way more hash than beef) and served a large tossed salad with it. Since it was a fairly uninspired meal I decided to make him a small cake for dessert. Like me, he is a chocolate freak so it was a no brainer. The only thing I was looking for was a way to use the kefir I made earlier in the week and keep TheHub's recreational shopping to a minimum.
This was a huge hit, and by huge I mean he ate 3 slices after supper. It is a very simple cake requiring just a bowl, a wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons, and a loaf pan. I call this a double hit!
In a large mixing bowl add
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa
2 pinches salt
Stir to blend well then add
1/2 cup kefir (buttermilk should also work)
1/2 cup mashed banana
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon milk
Beat with a mixer or wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth (add a few additional drops of milk if necessary for a smooth batter) then stir in 1/2 cup chocolate bits. I used mini chips because that is what has been hanging out opened in the pantry for the longest amount of time, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand)
Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for about 30 minutes (Use apiece of spaghetti toothpick inserted in the center of the cake to test for doneness ) Let the cake sit in the pan until it is cool enough to touch then invert it on a serving plate. Cut in slices and serve warm or at room temperature.
The resulting loaf is a dense super chocolaty cake. I never mentioned to TheHub that it had bananas in it and after 3 slices he still hadn't realized it. He really did flip over this cake. If you can wait till Sunday and there is still some cake left I will try a bite and give you my opinion. It's simple, fast to whip up on the fly and has limited clean up, What's not to like?
In conclusion, when you are trying to keep someone out of the grocery store so you can use up items from your food storage, just make this and let them eat cake!
This was a huge hit, and by huge I mean he ate 3 slices after supper. It is a very simple cake requiring just a bowl, a wooden spoon, measuring cups and spoons, and a loaf pan. I call this a double hit!
In a large mixing bowl add
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa
2 pinches salt
Stir to blend well then add
1/2 cup kefir (buttermilk should also work)
1/2 cup mashed banana
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon milk
Beat with a mixer or wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth (add a few additional drops of milk if necessary for a smooth batter) then stir in 1/2 cup chocolate bits. I used mini chips because that is what has been hanging out opened in the pantry for the longest amount of time, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand)
Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for about 30 minutes (Use a
The resulting loaf is a dense super chocolaty cake. I never mentioned to TheHub that it had bananas in it and after 3 slices he still hadn't realized it. He really did flip over this cake. If you can wait till Sunday and there is still some cake left I will try a bite and give you my opinion. It's simple, fast to whip up on the fly and has limited clean up, What's not to like?
In conclusion, when you are trying to keep someone out of the grocery store so you can use up items from your food storage, just make this and let them eat cake!
I've never had kefir - can you substitute it for buttermilk in any baking?
ReplyDeleteI think it would would work just fine!
DeleteChooooooooocooooolate! I'm going to make a birthday cake for my son this weekend. It will have the chocolate icing I used to make when he was a youngster. It's my mom's recipe. It's interesting that your cake has mashed bananas. I imagine that contributes to its density. And destiny.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Do you share recipes? Chocolate icing is the only kind of icing that is legal right?
DeleteYes, I share recipes. My mom shared with me. I don't know if this icing is really icing or if it's frosting. I don't know the difference. My mom always called it frosting.
DeletePlease share! My mom has an icing that is more like fudge on a cake but I can't make it like she does
DeleteI don't like your chances of trying it this time round. Some left by Saturday? Doesn't look like a happening thing.
ReplyDeleteYum. Some of the best things in life are chocolate.
Definitely going to try this!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to add the cocoa I forgot to put in the ingredient list!
DeleteUmm, either I am blind or I don't see cocoa or chocolate in any form in your ingredient list.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your Hubs ate that too? lolz
slugmama,
DeleteYou are correct--no chocolate. But, I see chocolate chips. I am going to make this.
Mea culpa! I forgot to put the cocoa in. Thanks you for letting me know. Generally chocolate chocolate needs double chocolate. Recipe amended
DeleteLinda add the cocoa!
DeleteDo you think plain yogurt might work instead of the kefir? I'm back to about a cup more plain yogurt than I need. I was going to make banana bread, but I think I have some lingering chocolate chips as well. What is it about husbands and recreational shopping for groceries?
ReplyDeleteI think it would work perfectly fine. Is yours a recreational shopper also? TheHub will come home from Publix with the most unusual array of foods we don't need.
DeleteThis looks like my kind of cake--chocolaty and dense. I may try it this weekend because I think I have all of the ingredients on hand.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to add the cocoa I forgot to add to the ingredient list.
DeleteIts tasty (evidently) and easy!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhh yum! Do you make kefir yourself?
ReplyDeleteI do Jane, want some grains? I have them coming out of my ears
DeleteA friend of mine offered to give me kefir grains today and the only reason why I enthusiastically accepted is because I remembered that you were saying you baked with yours and had offered some grains to Laura (I think). So thanks for the inspiration! I don't really care for drinkable dairy myself but if I can bake with it... and delicious chocolate cake, then it's a game changer :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm grateful that my husband doesn't mind regular leftovers, it's hard enough trying to think up a menu, if I had to re-engineer the leftovers too, I'd have no hair left.
I do try to drink half a cup daily. It is not my favorite, but it is tolerable. I use most of it for dips spreads and baking.
DeleteNot a single person here wants leftovers so it is always up to me to eat them which is fine if it is something i like. Mostly I try to serve the whole lot of whatever I make, the problem then is there is nothing left if anyone is extra hungry.
ReplyDeleteI am the recreational grocery shopper here and it has probably cost a lot over the years but i'm a minimalist in every other area so i think we still come out in front. I am usually tempted by sweets but I also seem to have inherited my dads habit of collecting sauces and pickles.
I understand. I have a fridge full of pickles of every sort
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. One day, my taste buds will return and I will enjoy chocolate and cake and then, I will bake this and some of your other recipes (and eat them and gain weight, again!) LOL!
ReplyDeleteHope your appetite returns soon
ReplyDelete