Simply Gourmet joins us with a delicious gluten-free chocolate chip banana cake recipe.
As days dwindle down in the month of February, I’m astounded by how much I’ve already accomplished in the new year. There were times (oh so many times) over the past few years when I questioned my decisions. Going back to school, leaving my career, leaving my city… This month has really sealed it for me. I made the right decision. If you’re not feeling satisfaction in your current life, it is NEVER too late to start over and follow your dreams. Fear is the biggest obstacle.
I will soon have time to post new recipes on a regular basis but for now I’ve enlisted a few more friends to fill the void. Today’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Cake is from my neighbor, Sherron of Simply Gourmet. We were blog friends before finally meeting in person and I’m so happy to know her. She’s awesome and her blog is fantastic. Beautiful recipes, gorgeous photos. Make sure to visit her site and say hello!
What a delight it is to be guest posting on a page that I was a fan of long before Jennifer and I became friends. The first recipe that I saved and printed was her pumpkin ravioli.
It encouraged me to make my first batch of fresh pasta and purchase my own pasta machine. The simplicity and beauty of her photos are just a few more reasons why I enjoy Savory Simple.
It was shortly before her ravioli post that I started my own food blog, Simply Gourmet. I have been cooking forever it would seem, growing up in the restaurant business taught me a lot about food and people. I went on to become a food photographer and recipe developer/writer.
I currently write for Capital Style Magazine in Annapolis, MD. I love my job.
Four years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. My world, for a short time, was turned upside down. Everything I had spent years learning in the kitchen was suddenly taken away from me. The bread, cookies and cakes that I made would no longer be enjoyed at family functions or parties. I was heart broken, to say the least.
My sadness turned into determination. I was determined to relearn how to make bread, cookies and cakes but this time around, it would all be gluten free. The learning curve was huge in the beginning. I relearned ratios and new flours. I had to accept failure on occasion.
I can happily report that in the past four years I have come to accept my intolerance to wheat and embrace it. I love working with an assortment of flours and starches. I am grateful for the communities that exist to help those recently diagnosed with wheat issues.
Growing up I loved banana bread and this cake is a reflection of that fond memory. I find that when cooking with gluten free recipes, the smaller and shorter the dish used, the better the recipe turns out. I don’t really make banana bread anymore, but I do make this cake quite often. I tend to over buy bananas and have a whole freezer shelf with dark brown frozen spears that are ready to be used.
I have made the cake in a 9-inch tart pan (see picture) and I have doubled the recipe to make it into a two-layer cake (see picture). My family does not like frosting–weird, I know—so more often than not, we make the single layer and enjoy it with a dab of butter melted on top.
The addition of chocolate chips is optional. I personally like the combination of chocolate and banana together.
I want to thank Savory Simple for allowing me to share a recipe that has become a family favorite in our home over at Simply Gourmet.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond meal
- ½ cup sweet sorghum flour
- ¼ cup tapioca or arrowroot starch
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- ¼ cup oil (sunflower oil or light olive oil)
- ½ cup milk, room temperature
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9-inch tart pan by spraying with cooking oil.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk.
- Combine the wet ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently combine.
- Add the banana and chocolate chips. Stir well.
- Pour mixture into pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cake will brown slightly and rise in the middle. It should be firm to the touch.
- Let cool slightly and then remove the bottom of the tart pan from mold.
- Serve as is or frost with your favorite frosting.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
chocolate and bananas are made for each other. This is something I can not wait to try!
Thanks Tanya!
Fantastic recipe! I have to make this one! I love it!!
Thanks Jennifer!
I know my family would love this cake- I’m thinking for a weekend breakfast ;-)
It does sound like a perfect breakfast, doesn’t it?
I am really hoping things start to click for me soon like they have for you. I take comfort in knowing it can happen. I once thought I had Celiac Disease and was shocked at how many foods have gluten in them. I’m glad you have found your happy place in a wheat filled world.
They will click! Just keep pushing forward :)
Bravo, Jen! From your diagnosis you’ve created/ spotlighted sweets recipes for others (like my husband) who are also gluten sensitive. P.s. Your photos are going on The Ninja Baker Pinterest Vegan & Gluten-Free board =)
Thanks, Ninja! It’s actually Sherron, my guest poster, who has celiacs so don’t be shocked if you see gluten around here :)
Apologies, Jen. And bravo to you for following the calling in your heart.
Thank you, too, for posting the Strawberry Dream Cake recipe.
That photo is now on my Gateaux & Great Desserts Pinterest board =)
Sharon: Stunning cake, food photography, and story-telling.
Jen: What a great intro and so glad you feel you’re on the right track and path!
I love banana chocolate chip bread myself. This looks delicious!
Thanks Charisse!
Hi Sherron! Nice to meet you! This cake looks so beautiful!!
Her blog is full of deliciousness!
What a nice post about friends and of course about following your dreams! I’m going to share this recipe with my aunt who has celiac disease. I know she will love this!
Thanks so much, Katie!
yum!!! This looks great and its gluten free! awesome!!
Thanks, Lauryn :)
What an inspirational post and lovely cake, chocolate and banana go so well together!
thanks so much. looks great
Always inspiring to hear someone turn something negative into something positive (and delicious!). This banana cake is exquisite- I love it’s simplicity.
Sherron, I have a blogger friend who has just been diagnosed with Celiac disease (you know Jessica?). Listening to her story I totally understand how shocking it can be – the whole new eating habit and adjustment you have to go through. As bananas are always tend to be brown in my house (kids prefer non-brown banana and they don’t seem to eat fast enough!), but never thought of freezing brown bananas! I’ll def do that. Great and inspiring post!
Jennifer, good luck with everything! I’m looking forward to see your new posts again, but meanwhile will enjoy your guest posts! :)
Great cake. I’m always looking for new gluten-free recipes to try.