banana cake is what the russians call banana bread

3-4 ripe bananas
8 Tbsp butter
1/2 c brown sugar
2/3 c sugar + 2 tsp to sprinkle on top
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 c flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
6 oz chopped walnuts


preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.  chop 3 large or 4 medium bananas in chunks and place in a microwave safe bowl.  cover the bowl with plastic wrap before placing in the microwave for 2 minutes.  take the bowl out and stir the bananas.  continue this cycle of microwaving and stirring 2 more times.  mash the bananas.  then pour the banana mixture into a pot with the butter and sugars.  bring to a simmer and continue stirring 5-7 minutes while the banana mixture continues to simmer.  mix sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl.  combine these mixtures by tempering the the hot banana mixture slowly and little by little into the egg mixture.  combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.  if adding walnuts, toss in the flour mixture and then stir everything together until just combined.  this recipe makes 4 mini 3x5 loaves or one bread pan loaf.  if making the mini loaves, sprinkle the top of each mini loaf with a 1/2 tsp of sugar and bake for 35-40 minutes.  if making one loaf, sprinkle the top of the loaf with 2 tsp of sugar and bake for 60-75 minutes.  check for doneness with a toothpick.  as the toothpick is inserted, the banana cake should feel done and slightly spongey and should come out either clean or with little banana cake crumbs.  when the banana cake comes out of the oven, let it cool until it is easy to handle.  immediately wrap in plastic wrap as this helps to keep the moisture in the cake. if freezing, wrap the plastic wrap layer in aluminum foil.  really yummy!

Prior to making a tasty treat, I look at quite a few recipes and pull together what I like from each, altering the quantities based on reviews and comparing the recipes to each other.  I do want to give credit where credit is due especially with this one.  My favorite cooking magazine ever Cook's Illustrated came up with the idea of concentrating the banana flavor by microwaving and simmering.  I really like the flavor it builds, and it was the only recipe to call for this unique idea.  Another recipe called for adding sour cream.  The Russians love their sour cream almost as much as they love dill in all their food.  I loved the idea of incorporating sour cream in this to make it a tad more Russian (if you can say that), and I swear that is what makes this such a moist little cake.

mini loaves!

slices of a large loaf ready to be a gift!