Regular readers will probably recall my joy at replacing the Oven of Certain Mediocrity a few months back. The Oven of Certain Mediocrity bugged me. It didn't have a timer. In fact, it didn't even have a temperature knob – you needed asbestos fingers to turn the remaining screw and even then you were guessing what temperature you’d chosen (the degree marks having worn off years ago).
Since the arrival of its shiny new replacement I've marvelled at the evenness of browning and crowed about it’s cool touch exterior and child-lock safety feature.
In short, my oven makes me happy. Really really happy.
This week the Big Sister wanted to do some baking. We've always got loads of frozen overripe bananas, so I thought we’d try our hand at some banana choc chip cake.
banana choc chip cake
Ingredients:
- 3 bananas
- 2 tbs butter (25g)
- ½ cup sugar (160g)
- 1 ½ cups SR flour (260g)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon bicarb
- 2 tablespoon milk
- ¾ cup choc chips
- Method
Preheat oven to 180C
Cream the sugar and the butter. Add mashed banana and egg and using an electric mixer beat until an even mixture. Fold in the flour and mix for two minutes on a medium speed. Mix the bicarb into the milk in a separate cup and beat until mixed through. Finally stir in the choc chips.
Pour mixture into a loaf tin and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Thermo Method
Preheat oven 180C
Add the sugar and butter to the TC bowl, process speed 4, 15 seconds. Scrape the sides then process speed 7, 10 seconds. Scrape down.
Add the banana and egg to the TC bowl, process speed 4, 10 seconds. Scrape down.
Add the flour, process speed 4, 20 seconds.
Mix the bicarb soda into the milk in a separate cup, then add to the TC bowl. Process speed 4, 20 seconds. Scrape down.
Add the choc chips and process speed 4, 8 seconds.
Pour mixture into a loaf tin and bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Turns out there’s yet another thing I love about my shiny new oven – the timer. After we put this bad boy in the oven, the girls and I spent some time in the paddock.
I feel I should add that I also LOVE my washing machine.
do you have a favourite household appliance?
a dream household purchase?
do you like getting dirty?
Beth Mantle says
I wouldn't go so far as to say that I *love* my vacuum cleaner... but I can't live without it.
Three cats and a dog have created a perfect storm of hairball tumbleweeds that rapidly take over my bedroom, loungeroom, hallway and bathroom. Some weeks I am too afraid to look under the bed...
I can make whole NEW cats and dogs out of the hair they shed each and every week. I have seriously considered taking up felting so that I can make hairball slippers, handbags and hats. Who wouldn't want labradoodle mittens or burmese ear-muffs?
cookerandalooker says
I couldn't BELIEVE the stuff that came out of our supposedly clean carpet after we bought a new vacuum Beth. It was disgusting and strangely satisfying at the same time! With winter to Canberra coming perhaps you could fashion a Raquel Welch style fur bikini?
domesblissity2013 says
Don't mind the kids making mud cakes but I'm a little past it. Don't mind getting my hands dirty in the garden though. I'd rather they were covered in dough and/or melted chocolate. Nothing makes me more happy than seeing the kids filthy at the end of the day. I would have to say my washer is my favourite appliance. Its an 8kg behemoth and I can get our week's worth done in one load. Doesn't help when you've only got a small load of whites though.
xx
cookerandalooker says
I hear you Anne - I've averaging one load of wet sheets every morning. I can't imagine doing it in a copper!
Monique (@YrCheekyMonkey) says
oooh yum!! that reminds me, with all the chocolate easter eggs in the house at the moment, I wanted to try my fave banana cake recipe with chopped up easter eggs in it! ps. I do 2-3 loads of washing a day to keep on top of things. its exhausting! #TUST
Yvette @ Little Bento Blog says
ooh yum banana cake!!! mixed with mud pies!! perfect!!
Dawn Pereira says
I love my steam mop. there is no better feeling than knowing your floors are clean just by using plain old water
cookerandalooker says
I had a steam mop, but it doesn't work on our tiles Dawn. I love the concept though.
thebeautypageau (Nico) says
Yay- an easy recipe. I love banana bread but the choc chips are a pretty fabulous addition. ps the washing has to be worth all the fun they had. Priceless.
cookerandalooker says
Nothing a cap full of Napisan can't fix Nicola!
unicorn73 says
I never thought of adding choc chips to Banana Cake before! Looks delicious 🙂 Di from Max The Unicorn visiting from Blogs & PR TUST
Desire Empire says
That cake looks lovely. You are are good mum to let your kids get into that mud. My mum used to let me do all that kind of stuff and it was loads of fun.
Carolyn
cookerandalooker says
Thanks Carolyn - they're farm kids. They might start out pink, but they're brown soon after!
Eleise says
OMG I got a new oven after tax last year, it is such a pleasure to bake now. I made a London cheesecake which was technically perfect last weekend, oh the joys of having an oven that doesn't burn everything to a crisp.
cookerandalooker says
Sounds delicious Eleise - I love it when some turns out just right!
redlandcitygirl says
Love my dishwasher!!!
cookerandalooker says
Me too Janet!
Annaleis says
I wish I had a dishwasher and I also have a very mediocre oven! That cake looks delicious and a great way to use those bananas!
Annaleis - Blogs and PR Team Member
cookerandalooker says
Oh Annaleis - I feel for you not having a dishwasher. Even if I don't run mine right away, I love having the dirty plates off the bench!
Gayel says
About to cook this cake for school lunches...delicious thanks 🙂
Robyn says
I just love love love those mud photos!! Definitely what menories are made of! Xxxx