BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake image

This tender cake is different from all the banana breads out there - possibly because Jim Lahey brings his celebrated skills as a bread baker to the recipe, which we adapted from "The Sullivan Street Bakery Cookbook." The spices, molasses and dark brown sugar combine for an intense, fragrant and almost caramel-like richness, while the mix of butter and olive oil make the crumb melt in the mouth. Be sure to use very ripe bananas for the best flavor; they should be spotted with brown and soft.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 35m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3/4 stick/6 tablespoons/84 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature, more for greasing pan
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon/135 grams all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup/60 milliliters extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup/80 grams granulated sugar
1/4 cup/40 grams dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons espresso or strong coffee, cooled (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup smashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
Generous 1/2 cup/120 grams bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

Steps:

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and fine sea salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, sugar, brown sugar, molasses, allspice, cinnamon, espresso and vanilla until just combined. The secret to this cake's texture is to stop mixing before the sugar is dissolved.
Use a spatula to mix egg into butter mixture, then stir in flour mixture just to combine. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared cake pan and bake until top is golden and sides begin to pull away from pan, about 25 minutes.
Let cool for at least 20 minutes (or longer, until completely cooled), then run a thin spatula around the edges to separate from the pan. Invert onto a serving plate. Cake will keep for 1 day, covered.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 340, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 115 milligrams, Sugar 23 grams, TransFat 0 grams