Banana Cake with Dried Apricots and Bournvita: A Step-by-Step Recipe

If you’re someone who enjoys playing with flavor and texture, we have an incredibly fun recipe for you. Imagine a banana cake with dried apricots and Bournvita infusion. The moist banana cake is soft and airy, whereas the dried apricots are chewy and full of flavor and the Bournvita adds a dash of chocolatey goodness to the mix. It’s a coming together of natural sweetness, tangy refreshment and deep, indulgent chocolate. Rest assured; it’s a delightfully unique dessert.

The ripe bananas help make the cake soft and rich, whereas the Bournvita brings not just a delicious cocoa flavor but also a sense of nostalgia to the palate. The apricots are fruity and contrast the softness of the bananas in each bite. The use of bananas brings a natural sweetness which means you don’t need to add too much sugar, making it a particularly healthy option as well. It is also versatile enough to work well for breakfast, an afternoon snack or as a delightful dessert at a fun event. Here’s what you need to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour (optional, for extra fiber)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp Bournvita
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional, adds warmth)
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup milk (or buttermilk for extra softness)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup dried apricots, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds, optional)
• ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra indulgence)

For Garnish (optional):

• Sliced bananas or extra apricots for the top
• A dusting of Bournvita for a rich finish

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350F or 175C.
• Place the bananas in a bowl and mash them with a fork until smooth and creamy. Set it aside.
• Use a sharp knife to chop the dried apricots into small bite-sized pieces. Toss them in a bit of flour to prevent them from sinking into the batter. Set it aside.
• In a bowl, add the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour (if using), baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and Bournvita, and whisk them well. You can sieve in the flour and Bournvita so that there are no lumps in the mixture and so that they mix in evenly. Set aside.
• In another bowl, add the melted butter and brown sugar and use a handheld mixer or a stand mixer to beat until the mixture is light and smooth.
• Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla extract.
• Now add the mashed bananas and gently fold them in, mixing until well combined.
• Then pour in the milk (or buttermilk) and stir well.
• Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula. Do not overmix. Stir only until the flour is fully incorporated. Mix well so the cake is light and fluffy but do not overmix or it will become dense and dry.
• Now fold in the chopped apricots and nuts. If using chocolate chips, mix them in now.
• Grease a cake pan with butter or line it with parchment paper. Pour in the batter and spread it evenly by tapping the pan against the surface a few times.
• Arrange banana slices or chopped apricots on top for a decorative touch.
• Bake for about 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For an extra layer of chocolate flavor, lightly dust the top with Bournvita powder before serving.
• Serve warm with a cup of coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• You can store the leftover cake in an airtight container for 5 days. Or you can freeze it for 2 months. When reheating, place in the microwave for 20 seconds and then enjoy.

Tips:

• Use ripe bananas. The darker they are, the sweeter and more nuanced their flavor will be.
• Baking is about precision, so measure the ingredients properly before adding them in.
• Let the cake cool completely before slicing, since it might fall apart if cut while still warm.
• You can add spices like ginger or cardamom if you want to experiment with more flavor.