Best Accra Banana Peanut Cake Ghana Recipes

Accra banana peanut cake is a traditional Ghanaian dessert that brings together the flavors of ripe bananas, peanuts, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This cake is a popular street food in Accra, Ghana, and is also served in restaurants and cafes across the country. It is a delicious and satisfying treat that is easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

To make an Accra banana peanut cake, you will need the following ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup of peanut butter
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 1 cup of flour
• ½ cup of milk
• 2 eggs
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Preparation

To prepare Accra banana peanut cake, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Grease a cake pan with butter or oil.
3. Mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
4. In another bowl, mash the bananas until they are smooth.
5. Add the eggs, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the bananas and mix well.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until there are no lumps.
7. Pour the mixture into the greased cake pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.
8. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before serving.

Variations

There are many ways to customize Accra banana peanut cake to suit your tastes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra crunch.
• Top the cake with a peanut butter glaze or frosting.
• Use different fruits, such as mango or pineapple, instead of bananas.
• Experiment with different spices, such as ginger or cardamom.
• Make the cake gluten-free by using almond flour or coconut flour instead of wheat flour.

Serving Suggestions

Accra banana peanut cake is a versatile dessert that can be served in many ways. Here are a few ideas:

• Slice the cake into small squares and serve as finger food at a party.
• Serve the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle the cake with honey or caramel sauce.
• Serve the cake with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.

Conclusion

Accra banana peanut cake is a delicious and unique dessert that combines the flavors of ripe bananas, peanuts, and spices. This cake is easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. By customizing the recipe with your favorite ingredients and serving suggestions, you can create a truly special dessert that will delight your taste buds.

Accra banana peanut cake is a delicious and popular recipe from Ghana. It is easy to make and requires simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchens. However, there are some valuable tips that can help you make a perfect cake every time. In this article, we will discuss some of these tips.

Tip 1: Use Ripe Bananas

The key ingredient in this cake is the banana. Therefore, it is important to use ripe bananas for the recipe. Ripe bananas are sweeter and softer, which will help to enhance the flavor and texture of the cake. You can tell if a banana is ripe by looking at its color. A ripe banana should be yellow with brown spots on the skin.

Tip 1.1: Mashing the Bananas

Once you have chosen ripe bananas, it is important to mash them properly for the recipe. You can mash bananas using a fork or a potato masher. However, ensure that the bananas are mashed until they are smooth and without lumps. This will help to create a smooth batter for the cake.

Tip 2: Use Peanut Butter

Another important ingredient in the Accra banana peanut cake is peanut butter. Peanut butter is a rich source of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients. It also adds a unique flavor and texture to the cake. However, not all peanut butter is created equal. Therefore, it is important to choose the right kind of peanut butter for the recipe.

Tip 2.1: Natural Peanut Butter

It is recommended to use natural peanut butter for the recipe. Natural peanut butter contains only two ingredients: peanuts and salt. This means that there are no added sugars, oils, or preservatives. Natural peanut butter has a smoother texture and a richer flavor compared to processed peanut butter. It also blends well with other ingredients, making it ideal for baking.

Tip 2.2: Creamy vs. Crunchy Peanut Butter

When choosing peanut butter, you can choose between creamy or crunchy. Creamy peanut butter is smoother and easier to mix, while crunchy peanut butter adds bits of peanuts to the cake. The choice between creamy and crunchy peanut butter depends on your personal preference. However, creamy peanut butter is more commonly used for the recipe.

Tip 3: Use the Right Flour

Flour is another important ingredient in the Accra banana peanut cake. Flour provides structure and texture to the cake. However, not all flour is suitable for the recipe. It is important to choose the right kind of flour for the recipe.

Tip 3.1: Use Wheat Flour

It is recommended to use wheat flour for the recipe. Wheat flour is a common flour that is used for most baking recipes. It has a higher protein content, which helps to create a firmer and more stable cake. Wheat flour is also rich in fiber and other nutrients, making it a healthier choice.

Tip 3.2: Use Pastry Flour

If you want to make a lighter and fluffier cake, you can also use pastry flour for the recipe. Pastry flour has a lower protein content compared to wheat flour. This means that it produces a more tender and delicate cake. However, pastry flour is not as widely available as wheat flour.

Tip 4: Use the Right Baking Powder

Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cake to rise and become fluffy. However, not all baking powder is equal. It is important to choose the right kind of baking powder for the recipe.

Tip 4.1: Aluminum-Free Baking Powder

It is recommended to use aluminum-free baking powder for the recipe. Aluminum-free baking powder doesn't contain the metallic taste that can affect the flavor of the cake. Moreover, aluminum-free baking powder is healthier compared to baking powder that contains aluminum.

Tip 4.2: Fresh Baking Powder

It is also important to ensure that the baking powder is not expired or stale. Expired or stale baking powder will affect the texture and quality of the cake. You can test the freshness of the baking powder by mixing a teaspoon of baking powder with some hot water. If the mixture fizzes and bubbles, the baking powder is fresh.

Tip 5: Use the Right Sweeteners

The Accra banana peanut cake recipe requires some kind of sweetener to enhance the flavor of the cake. However, not all sweeteners are equal. There are different types of sweeteners that you can use for the recipe.

Tip 5.1: Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is a common sweetener that is used for most baking recipes. Brown sugar adds a caramel flavor and a moist texture to the cake. It also blends well with other ingredients, making it ideal for the recipe.

Tip 5.2: Honey

If you want to use a natural sweetener, you can also use honey for the recipe. Honey adds a distinct flavor and a rich texture to the cake. It is also a healthier choice compared to brown sugar, as it contains antioxidants and other nutrients.

Conclusion

Accra banana peanut cake is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe from Ghana. By following these valuable tips, you can make a perfect cake every time. Remember to use ripe bananas, natural peanut butter, wheat flour or pastry flour, aluminum-free baking powder, and the right sweetener for the recipe. Enjoy your homemade Accra banana peanut cake!