For the Love of...: ...Banana Coconut Cream Cake

This cake is a variation of the basic sponge seen previously in the Strawberry Sponge Cake post.  Inspired by our recent trip to Hawaii, I decided to try a coconut and banana filling with shredded coconut in the sponge itself.  I experimented with orange zest this time around, it was delicious, but the flavour reminded me too much of carrot cake, so no orange zest next time.  Maybe lemon zest might be alright?  Let me know if you decide to try this out!

Ingredients
Sponge:
-1 cup unsalted butter
-3/4 cup sugar
-4 eggs
-1.5 tsp coconut flavouring-Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
-2/3 cup of shredded sweetened coconut-1 1/4 cups flour
-2 tsp of baking powder
-1 tsp salt

Filling:
-2 large bananas, sliced  (Save a few slices to decorate the top)
-1 tbsp of unsalted butter
-3 tbsp brown sugar
-1 cup heavy cream
-1 tsp coconut flavouring
-1 tbsp sugar

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Grease two cake pans (8" or 9") with butter and line bottom with wax paper.  Lightly flour sides of the cake pans.

3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.  Then add one egg at a time and make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.  Add coconut flavouring and lemon zest (optional).

I used orange zest- I didn't like it, but you might!

4. In a separate bowl, combine shredded coconut, flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest.  Add this mixture to the egg mixture and fold until incorporated.

5.  Split batter between the two cake pans, using a spatula to spread out the batter so it is somewhat level in the pan.

6.  Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden.  Once cool, remove from cake pans and carefully remove wax paper.

7.  While the sponge is baking, you can put together the filling.  Melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the sliced bananas and brown sugar over medium heat.  When the sugar is melted and the banana are soft, remove from the heat and chill in the fridge so it doesn't melt the whip cream later.  (The freezer works too when you are short on time)  

8.  Add coconut flavouring and sugar to the cream and whip until you have stiff peaks.  Spread as much of the banana filling and whip cream on top of one sponge as you wish.  You may choose to slice off part of the sponge to make it flatter, but I don't think it is necessary unless you are going for perfection.

9.  Add the second sponge on top and spread some whipped cream on top.  Decorate with slices of banana and sprinkle shredded coconut.  Delicious!



Enjoy!