Banana, Macadamia Nut & Coconut Cake

I’m pretty excited that this is the first time I’m hosting  The Home Bakers (THB)event  organized by Joyce of Kitchen Flavours . We’re actually baking from Lou Seibert Pappas’s cookbook – Coffee Cakes . Well, I’ve chosen this recipe just coz my hubby loves coconut & the only coconut recipe that I can find in the cookbook was this Banana, Macadamia Nut & Coconut cake .  And another ingredient that intrigues me in this recipe was olive oil .  I’m sure by now , most of you know how much I love to try innovative recipes ! LOL  This is a lovely moist , soft  & flavourful banana cake .  I’ve tried both olive oil & canola oil for this recipe & I must say that olive oil does makes the difference .  The first time that I baked this cake a couple of weeks ago, I’ve used a 20cm cake pan .  And this time round I wanted to make them into muffins & topped with few slices of bananas, sprinkle cinnamon sugar .  I’ve reduced the sugar to ½ cup & replaced sour cream with crème fraiche .  As for the muffins I’ve baked them at 170°C & only for 25 minutes .  Well, to my disappointment that it doesn’t look as presentable as it should be .  Well, no worries, you will find more lovely bakes of this delicious cake from all the wonderful THB members HERE . So do hop over & enjoy 

Banana, Macadamia Nut & Coconut Cake

Recipe from Lou Seibert Pappas ( Coffee Cakes)

Ingredients for a 20cm (9-inch cake)  or 12 muffins

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¾ cup dark brown sugar ( I’ve added  ½ cup)

1 ¼  cups mashed bananas ( about 2- 1/2 large bananas)

2 large eggs

½  cup sour cream ( I’ve used crème fraiche)

2 tablespoons dark rum or amaretto liqueur

1/3 cup extra –virgin olive oil ( best with mild buttery one) or canola oil

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup sweetened flaked coconuts

½ cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecan halves

1 tablespoon granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

1)      Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) . Greased & flour a 20cm (9-inch) springform cake pan or muffin tins.

2)      In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda & brown sugar. Stir well to blend. 

3)      In a blender or food processor, combine bananas, eggs, oil, rum or amaretto, sour cream with vanilla & blend till smooth. 

4)      Stir in coconut till well combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly the chopped nuts. & cinnamon sugar over the batter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes till golden brown & a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let to cool. 

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 12

There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her.  The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however.  She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, "I am determined
I will:" he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise; but her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face was like death.  The horror of the moment to all who stood around!
Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms, looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of silence. "She is dead! she is dead!" screamed Mary, catching hold of her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable; and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the conviction, lost her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps, but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between them.
"Is there no one to help me?" were the first words which burst from Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength were gone.
"Go to him, go to him," cried Anne, "for heaven's sake go to him. I can support her myself.  Leave me, and go to him. Rub her hands, rub her temples; here are salts; take them, take them."

Danish Chocolate Streusel – Swirled Coffee Cake

This month , Anuja of Simple Baking has selected this lovely Danish Chocolate Streusel for  The Home Bakers (THB) . We’re are actually baking  from Lou Sheibert Pappas’s cookbook – Coffee Cakes .  This is another yummy recipe & definitely a keeper . 

Danish Chocolate Streusel – Swirled Cake

For full recipe please hop over to  Anuja of Simple Baking . For more appetizing bakes from the members of THB click HERE

1)      Beat sugar, butter salt & cardamom till light & fluffy.

2)      Add in eggs & gradually add in flour with milk. Beat till soft dough . Knead dough till smooth & elastic for 10 minutes. Let it rise for at least 1 hour in a warm place.

3)      To make chocolate streusel : rub in butter , sugar, flour, cocoa & cinnamon till crumbs.

4)      . Cut the dough into half. Roll on half into 26 x36 cm rectangle. Spread evenly half of the chocolate streusel filling. Roll up the dough & slice or cut the roll at 2 cm intervals. Spread evenly half of the apple filling. Roll up the dough & slice or cut the roll at 2 cm intervals. Repeat with the remaining dough & filling & place them in a greased cake pan  & cover with tea towels or plastic wrap in a warm room for 1 hour

5)      ) Preheat oven to 170°C . Lightly brush the roll with milk . Place in the oven & bake for 30 to 35 minutes till golden brown.  Let to cool

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 12

"Elliot!"  Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity of a waiter.
"Bless me!" cried Mary; "it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr Elliot, it must, indeed!  Charles, Anne, must not it?  In mourning, you see, just as our Mr Elliot must be.  How very extraordinary!  In the very same inn with us!  Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot? my father's next heir?  Pray sir," turning to the waiter, "did not you hear, did not his servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch family?"
"No, ma'am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said his master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day."
"There! you see!" cried Mary in an ecstasy, "just as I said!  Heir to Sir Walter Elliot!  I was sure that would come out, if it was so.  Depend upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to publish, wherever he goes.  But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary!  I wish I had looked at him more.  I wish we had been aware in time, who it was, that he might have been introduced to us. What a pity that we should not have been introduced to each other!  Do you think he had the Elliot countenance?  I hardly looked at him, I was looking at the horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot countenance, I wonder the arms did not strike me!  Oh! the great-coat was hanging over the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in mourning, one should have known him by the livery."

Sunflowers from our veg patch

Sun Dried-Tomato-Pistachio Polenta Cake

 

I was really looking forward for our 8^th bake of The Home Bakers (THB) hosted by Joyce of The Kitchen Flavours . The reason being was we will be baking a savory cake  & my family love savory cakes .  Currently we are baking recipes from Lou Seibert Papas cookbook – Coffee Cake .  This recipe was chosen by one of our member,Vyette of My Worldwide Culinary Adventure . I was really glad that she has selected this recipe & I was convinced that this is a fabulous cake . Savory cakes are very common over here in France & I’ve  baked a number of savory cakes or cornbreads especially during summer time & it’s our all time favorite . I simply love the moist  grainy  texture of polenta in this full with flavour cake . I’m a huge fan of sun dried tomatoes so this is certainly my kind of cake to enjoy for brunch or as an appetizer . A very tasty cake with Parmesan cheese , sun dried tomatoes & olive oil ,everything that reminded me of Italy . My family love this cake so much that they have requested it  for a potluck party this Saturday. So here you go , another winner recipe from this cookbook to enjoy with families & friends .  Can't wait to try another savory cake recipe from this cookbook of Lou Seibert Papas.

For full recipe please go to  Yvette of My Worldwide Culinary Adventure .  And for more wonderful bakes from of other members of The Home Baker please click HERE

1)      Beat egg till light. Add in olive oil, herbs & honey , blend well.

2)      Stir in dry ingredients into alternate with yogurt.

3)      Add sun dried tomatoes; pistachio & parmesan cheese. Beat till well combined.

4)      Pour batter in cake pan & sprinkle with pistachio & cheese. Bake for 30 mins till golden brown. Best serve warm.

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 11

Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners, was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. Mrs Harville, a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant than their desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing of course that they should dine with them.

Pear Pinwheel & Hazelnut Cake

I’ve almost forgotten The Home Baker  (THB)  challenge this month & luckily I can still catch up!  Phew…. Just in time  & I must say that I  was a bit panic there!  LOL  As always I think I’m the last to submit my entry  &  most of  members are already baking the next recipe from Lou Seibert Pappas cookbook , Coffee Cake.  This is our 4^th bake from this cookbook & this recipe was chosen by Zoe of Bake For Happy Kids.  I

 

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 8

Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the proof; former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of each; they could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions which conversation called forth.  His profession qualified him, his disposition lead him, to talk; and "That was in the year six;" "That happened before I went to sea in the year six," occurred in the course of the first evening they spent together:  and though his voice did not falter, and though she had no reason to suppose his eye wandering towards her while he spoke, Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind, that he could be unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. There must be the same immediate association of thought, though she was very far from conceiving it to be of equal pain.

Pear Pinwheel & Hazelnut Cake

For the recipe please refer to  Zoe of   Bake For Happy Kids  & for more  lovely bakes from all the members of  The Home Bakers  (THB)   click HERE. 

1) Beat butter & sugar.

2)  Gradually add in eggs & almond extract.

3) Fold in hazelnut & flour mixture till well combined.

4) Pour batter into a springform pan & arrange the slice pears before sprinkle sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg . P/S I've missed one step which was coating the pears with this sugar mixture before placing them on the batter! 

Roses from my garden

 Michèle Morgan Rose

 Pierre De Ronsard Rose