Torta de Banano: Colombian Caribbean Banana Cake
Torta de Banano (Colombian Banana Cake) is a beloved, comforting dessert widely popular across the Colombian Caribbean. Made from a base of very ripe bananas, this sweet and simple treat is the absolute perfect way to use up overripe fruit sitting on your counter.
The secret to this quick cake is keeping the mashed bananas slightly chunky for maximum texture and flavor. Baked until beautifully golden brown, this foolproof batter takes only 40 minutes from start to finish, yielding a moist, fluffy dessert ideal for your late-night cravings!
Torta de Banano (Colombian Banana Cake)
A moist and comforting Caribbean classic! A quick, fluffy banana cake made with very ripe bananas, perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
- 8 Very ripe bananas
- 1 ½ cups Sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 1/2 cup Melted butter or margarine
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 3 Heaping teaspoons Baking powder or baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Mash the bananas: Carefully peel the very ripe bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash them into a puree. It doesn't matter if it is not perfectly homogeneous; leaving some small chunks adds great texture!
- Add the wet ingredients: Add the sugar and the melted butter to the banana puree. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder (or baking soda). Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet banana batter. Beat everything together until well combined. (Chef's Note: If the batter feels too stiff, you can add a tiny splash of milk or water).
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to preheat to 350°F (180°C).
- Prep the molds: Thoroughly grease your baking molds with butter and dust them lightly with flour to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Pour the batter: Pour the mixture into the prepared molds, filling them to about two-thirds of their total capacity. Do not fill them to the very top, as the cake will rise and could overflow or burn.
- Bake: Place the molds in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. If using one single large mold, it may take 25 to 30 minutes. To test if it is ready, insert a knife into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, it is done. Crucial rule: Do not open the oven door before at least 20 minutes have passed, or the cake will collapse!
- Cool and unmold: Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the mold for a few minutes before unmolding to prevent it from crumbling.
Video
Notes
- Flavor Upgrades: During the preparation of the batter, you can easily customize this cake by adding ingredients like vanilla essence, raisins, a half cup of dark rum, or even a half cup of kumis (a traditional fermented dairy drink) or sour milk for extra moisture.
- Nutritional Benefits: Bananas are an incredible source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, and E.
- Cramp Prevention: The famously high potassium content present in bananas is excellent for muscle recovery and helps prevent cramps.
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