Almond Flour Banana Cake

A person I am connected with on Facebook shared her recipe for Banana Cake, and I knew instantly I had to try it, but with a few small additions.  I am always looking for healthier baking options. Ones that aren't full of processed sugar and butter. 

I am okay with having a treat the isn’t super sweet. It can always be served with ice cream, whipped cream, or even vanilla yogurt if my sugar craving became more demanding. But I hoped this recipe would have enough flavor to avoid those additions, They kind of defeats the purpose for me. 

The cake base she shared was made with four ingredients - eggs, bananas, almond flour and baking powder. To that I added some cinnamon and a little vanilla. Fresh fruit - whatever up you want or have in your fridge - is placed on top before baking. As an option, she suggested melting a little jelly or jam to brush on top while still hot from the oven. You could use regular, low sugar, or just fruit only jelly/jam with no sugar.

Very ripe bananas are the best choice for this recipe as they bring more natural sweetness. For fruit I chose sliced peaches and fresh blueberries to arrange on top, but you would used mixed berries or another fruit you love. The cinnamon and vanilla I added were a good choice to give the cake a little more flavor interest. I had raspberry jam to brush on top, but use whatever you have. Surprisingly the thin brush of jam glaze didn’t seem to make it taste any sweeter. I def recommend using it.

My husband and I really enjoyed this flourless cake. It's not really a dessert by traditional standards, but we enjoyed it.  And the real treat was eating a slice still warm from the oven. I will be making this again.

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Almond Flour Banana Cake With Fruit

Ingredients - 

3                     Eggs
3/4 C              Almond flour
3                     Bananas, the riper the better
1-1/2 tsp         Baking powder
1 tsp               Cinnamon
1tsp                Vanilla extract
Fresh fruit to decorate the top - peaches, any kind of berry, etc.
Optional - a small amount of your favourite jell or jam to brush on top as a glaze

8-1/2" Springform pan

Instructions -

Preheat oven to 325. Prepare an 8-1/2” springform pan (spray with Pam or butter). I also put a circle of parchment paper in the bottom for ease, but this is optional.

Thoroughly mash the bananas and add to a mixing bowl along with all the other ingredients. Mix until well combined, I used a small sturdy whisk, then place the batter in the springform pan and smooth into an even layer. Gently arrange fresh fruit on top.

Place in the oven and bake. The original recipe said 15-20 minutes at 325, but at that temp mine took 30 minutes. I am wondering if her oven runs hot. Next time I make it I might try 350, and see if it cooks in 15 minutes. For now, I suggest staying with 325 and check it at 20 minutes. If not done, check in 5 minute intervals until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Mine was fully cooked at 30 minutes.

Heat a small amount of your favorite jam then brush as a glaze. Cut into 6 pieces and serve warm.  

Note - You could also top with more fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, vanilla ice cream. whip cream, a drizzle of maple syrup or even a dusting of powdered sugar.  For me I love it as it is.