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Monday, April 12, 2010

HCB - Banana Refrigerator Cake

This week's recipe for the Heavenly Cake Bakers is the Banana Refrigerator Cake, chosen by Saira of Baked and Caked. This cake was very easy and quick to put together. Although the recipes states to use a food processor and a mixer, I was stubborn and used the mixer only. I like my bananas to have a little bit of texture so I always mash them with a fork only. Other than substituting orange zest for the lemon zest, I pretty much stuck to the recipe. Since I'll be taking this cake to a potluck at work, I thought it would be easier to cut into bars if I baked it in a 8" square pan. I have no doubt this cake would be wonderful and delicious with the prescribed White Chocolate and Cream Cheese Frosting, however, I will be frosting mine with Caramel Whipped Cream instead because that's what I have in my fridge already. Besides, who doesn't like caramel + anything banana? :o)

 8" square cake + 1 cupcake (for quality control purpose only!)


Final thoughts/tips:
  • Hubby and I shared the cupcake/muffin. It's very moist and tender with a wonderful banana flavor. The orange zest worked very well with the banana. Hubby's rating for this one: 8 out of 10.
  • Although I was a bit skeptical about the lack of spices in the recipe, I went ahead and made as-is, sans the usual spices. I have to admit it was a nice change from the usual.

18 comments:

  1. I love the picture of the square cake and 1 cupcake for QA! Hilarious. Glad you and hubby liked the cake.

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  2. ב''ה

    Looks great. I love the caramel Idea. I recently made banana caramel ice cream and, admittedly, it called for a bit too much cinnamon. Banana and caramel is plenty!

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  3. I'm in love with this cake. And I'm sure that your potluck group will love it.

    While the whipped cream sounds good, if you ever make it again, do it with the white chocolate topping.. its sooo good... and while you may read from others that they thought it was sweet... I thought it was the right compliment to the sweetness of the cake... I added lemon/lime zest to mine to give a zingi-ny taste.

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  4. Yes, caramel plus anything is pretty much always a good idea! I had a bunch of bananas turn ridiculously quickly, so I'm going to either freeze them or make something ASAP.

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  5. Cutest QA cupcake EVER! This looks delicious! I have so been slacking in the kitchen lately. We had to say good bye to our 10 year old Golden Retriever after trying everything possible and my desire to do anything in the kitchen without him is temporarily gone. That is why I have no postings for the last several weeks for my baking groups.

    You know what? You mentioned knitting and crocheting when you stopped by and I just "have" to tell you something: Those cute little ladies at the knitting store teaching me to knit socks tried to tell me that crocheting is so passe'. Can you believe that bull pucky? Good thing they are come across sweet and innocent or I would have been disrespectful and spoken up about such rubbish. humph! I learned crocheting as a little girl. My Grandma used to crochet the most beautiful doilies with curls crocheted within the pattern. She would hand me the doily and tell me to count stitches and duplicate her work. That is how I learned. Now, at 43, I want to learn how to knit too, but I am still grumbling about the comment . . . can't you tell?

    Hanaa, as always, your post is beautiful, doing such a wonderful job in enticing others to want to try baking these recipes. Hugs my dear friend, Shandy

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  6. LOL! I like your one cupcake idea for quality control purposes! :) Gorgeous cake!

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  7. I was so tempted to make this into cupcakes. After seeing your quality control one, I will!

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  8. How beautiful this is! Every time I see one of your HCB recipes I think about joining the group but then my sanity returns. Seriously, banana and caramel is a great combination (and I'm with you, caramel makes everything better).

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  9. @Jenn: I actually do that quite often; bake a cupcake. Especially when I can't cut into the cake to taste it. It works great :o)

    @Mendy: I agree. Caramel + bananas = awesome goodness :o) Your ice cream sounds great.

    @Monica: I have no doubt the white choc frosting would taste great. It's definitely on my todo list.

    @Shandy: thank you! Sorry to hear about your dog. I hope you're back to baking soon. Your crochet story made me laugh. I totally disagree. I love crochet and I love doilies. One of these days I hope to make myself a crocheted cardigan. Ever tried that?

    @Vicki: cupcakes are easy to make and easy to eat :o)

    @Leslie: ha ha. I hear ya! Way too many clubs and too little time :o)

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  10. What a beautiful cake, it looks so moist and delicious. The banana caramel combination sounds irresistable.

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  11. mmm caramel whipped cream....love it! thanks for introducing me to that;)

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  12. too funny - i always do a cupcake for quality control, too! how else would you taste it to see if its good enough to serve to others???

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  13. What a beautiful cake! I'm with you: bananas mashed with a fork are the best. I often bake a quality control cupcake, such a great way to have your (whole) cake and eat it too.

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  14. I have to try this one. I have the book and should use it more but there is a limit.

    This is one, hubby should love.

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  15. mmmm...banana cake. YUM.

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  16. THank you Hanaa for the compliment on the pumpkin bread and well-wishes for the biking event =o). All the uphill sections on the biking event kicked my butt! Hope your doing great and talk to you soon, Shandy

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  17. I like the texture, I'm sure it tastes good even 'sans epices' because Hanaa made it:):)
    BTY, your biscotti were really good!! Although it's my recipe:), I have to admitt you perfected it.
    Good job!

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  18. I giggled a little when I saw your "cupcake for quality control" I totally do that too!

    I am loving your blog and all the inspiration that ABC and HCB...thinking about joining!

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