Friday, October 23, 2009

Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Cake (Gluten & Soy Free)

Ahhh, Saturday morning.  (Or if you're still on your computer on Friday night, you're ahead of the game.)  How are things going so far today?  We are off for a 4 mile run as a family.  Well, Scott and I are running and Skylar is getting pushed in her stroller and then later today we're going to the neighborhood block party that I mentioned before.  What are you up to today?

Thanks for the props on the little Vegan Banana Nut Muffins I made...so easy and good.  I hope you can put that recipe to good use!  Sounds like some of you were going to find homes for your overripe bananas pronto using this little diddy so that's always awesome when I hear that in the comments!


And I also appreciated all the comments about what format of blogs you enjoy reading.  I was not as articulate as I had hoped when I posed the question because judging from the myriad of people telling me I don't need to make changes to my blog, well lucky for both of us, I wasn't planning on making any changes.  I have my groove and it works for me and I am soooo glad it's working for you, too!  haha

Instead, I just wanted to know what you enjoy in other people's blogs.  I know we all have our favorites and I was just trying to pick your brain about what makes something a favorite vs. just another blog.   For me, it's the person's personality, great food pics, original recipes, and no word verification on the comment form which will make me comment more when I go back to that blog.  And if you're hot, you get extra vegan brownie points and I'll come back more, too.  Kidding! 

But moving right along to the Banana Recipe du Jour!  You may also remember me saying we had 8 Really Ripe Bananas that needed immediate use?  Well, hope you're not sick of banana creations this week (i.e. the banana bread loaf and the banana muffins) because today I made a Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Cake.

You may recall that when I made the Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Loaf (Gluten/Soy-Free) that although it tasted and looked (I am not humble my friends) absolutely awesome, I felt that maybe it would be even better as a cake?


So, what did I do?  I turned Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Loaf into Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Cake.  Of course, it's still Gluten and Soy Free with no added oil.



Averie's Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Cake (Gluten & Soy Free)
3/4 c Oats (that I ground into oat flour)
1 c Almond Flour (or 1 c almonds that you grind)
3 Large Ripe Bananas (Optional: reserve approx 12 little slices for garnishing your cake)
1 Peeled & Cored Apple (Large)
1/2 c White Sugar
1/2 c Brown Sugar
Dash Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Blackstrap Molasses

In the VitaCakeMaker there's the 3/4 C of oats that I just ground.   And the Almond Flour. 

And then just dump everything else on top.  Bananas, sugar, vanilla, molasses, baking soda and blend.  I have been asked why I do this recipe in the Vita?   
Because I don't own a stand mixer or food processor.  Vita or nothing kids, so clearly, this is my beast for the job.

Blend til Smooth


Dollop in 1 c (or more!) of Peanut Butter

Blend again, pour into 9 x 13 pan (or you can use a 9 x 5 loaf pan like I did before).  Garnish with cute banana slices that you reserved.

Get ready to bake at 325F Convection for 27 minutesClearly, this is not an exact science.  Depending on what you're working with in terms of batter moisture, oven temp, size of pan, you name it, I'd be prepared to roll with anything from 22 minutes to 38 minutes, just guessing though.

Take it out and marvel at your Gluten Free, Soy Free, Vegan, No Additional Oil Used, Tastes Awesome, Cake.

Let it cool a bit and dig in!  Even though I hate this word as does Erica, it's a really Moist cake!  Understatement.  It's dripping wet.  (So much TWSS potential that I will just move on now...)

I know you probably think I'm gonna turn into one big banana from all the banana action 'round here, but I have been eating my veggies.  Greens, cauli, tomatoes, B.S., all dressed with OJ, agave, and cracky blacky.

And I also dehydrated a tomato to see if I could duplicate store bought sundrieds.  The result? Better than store boughts, by a long shot.  If you do have a Magic Box and you're reading this, I sliced the tomatoes about 1/8th of an inch thick, so thin but not paper thin.  And I also applied a touch of my kale chip coating in all it's noochey glory.  These were my results after 7 long hours in the Box.


Dessert?  I'm still rocking out with the Raw Vegan Chocolate Coconut Snowball action.


VeganMofo in the house today.
   

....And Moving Right Along, Yoga Today is Navasana (Boat Pose)


Tip of the Day:  Glo Bars Anyone?  Check out this Give Away!

Sarah's Campbell's Give Away Action!

Are there any kind of food (or beverage) treats or splurges that you allow yourself on the weekend that you don't during the week?  Mine would definitely be an extra cup of coffee while leisurely reading blogs while my husband watches Skylar and so I can just veg out with my java and my GoogleReader.  That's my little treat.  What's yours?

Or here's a better question, is there any drama, gossip, or dirt that went down this week you wanna vent about?  I'd love to hear all about it....fill me in!


Stay Tuned For a Huge Highlights of the Week Post plus a new Kale Chip Recipe...


32 comments:

Alison said...

Look at me ahead of the game already commenting on Saturday's mornings post! And I'm FIRST!

OMG no word verification YES YES YES!

Hmmm, I can't think of anything different I have on the weekends that I don't have during the week. I do feel like the weekends are little more lax though - I think that's just ingrained us from an early age!

I meant to say thanks too for your email response to my Ashtanga questions - thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction. I'm on it.

glidingcalm said...

oh my gosh!! you have had my mouth watering with all of these posts with banana baked goods. Banana bread is one of my all time TOP favorite foods. I actually haven't made it in wayy too long- probably because I can't have it around....no self control!!

I love that yoga pose- it's called a teaser in Pilates, and it's one of my favorite exercises!!

those dehydrated toms look soo yummy as well!

Someday I'll spend the cash to get me a dehydrator!!

HAVE SO MUCH FUN TODAYYYYYY!


And I agree with Alison- word verification IS THE WORST. So frustrating!!

J said...

I eat the same foods on the weekend that I eat during the weekdays. If I actually went out that may be different. But, I spend weekend nights in with my family or at school in the lab :)

The Voracious Vegan said...

I love that you turned the banana bread into banana bread cake, it is a really stunning dessert topped with those pretty slices. Awww have fun on your family run and the block party, that is going to be a lot of fun!

And YUM for the homemade sundried tomatoes, I can't wait to make my own!

Maggie said...

Guess I'm ahead of the game :P

Could your pb/banana cake BE any more sexy??

Can't wait until someday I have a dehydrator. Yum.

Amanda said...

Wow, do you do Yoga everyday?
You look so helathy and great :)

<3
Amanda

Natalia said...

I would LOVE to beeotch about how UNSUNNY 'sunny' Perth Australia is right now!! In the middle of 'Spring'! Is it sunny all year round in Arizona?
Kudos to the amazing yoga body ;)
How anyone can dog out a vegan/raw diet when someone that follows it is as athletically capable as you, is beyond me!
xx

Beth said...

OMG, so making that banana bread cake this weekend! And the snowballs.

I tend to bake and cook a lot more on the weekends. During the week I don't have the time. Really though, the weekends are just totally laid back, no pressure. Love that.

I love that you share so many great recipes. Now I just need an Excalibur...

VeggieGirl said...

Lovin' all the goodies and the boat pose! Another favorite :)


Hope the run was fun (oh look, I can rhyme...)

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

Girl! Could you possibly have ANY foods on here that I don't want to eat?!? They are look divine. I considered switching to vegetarian a few months ago, but never made the full switch. With your goodies I feel like I could do it.

Allie (Protein Girl) said...

Averie, you're both HOT and RAW!

Lindsey @ Sound Eats said...

Wow, that peanut butter banana cake looks delicious and just made my stomach growl!!!

I saw your comment about the pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - I've made it a goal to upload the recipe today and you will be the first to know when I do!! :) xoxo!

shelby said...

Seriously Averie...these desserts are making me crazy! So good!!!

Horray for NO word verification!!!

sheri (Green and Crunchy) said...

Dear Averie,

Please slow down with all the awesome recipes you have been blogging about. Me and my kitchen can't keep up with all the vegan goodness!

xo
Sheri from Green & Crunchy

Angel (Shanghai Monkey) said...

OMG I'm glad you asked. Thanks for the opportunity to vent! A man I know (who is by no means vegetarian or vegan) told me he is planning a vegan raw food workshop aimed at helping diabetics. Considering he just discovered raw food a few days ago and doesn't even believe in this way of life, I think he is not qualified to teach this class and (quite frankly) is a hypocrite. I'm angry at him and worried about the potential attendees at the workshop who might get incorrect info on raw food.

Whew! Thanks, it feels better to get it off my chest. This is the best blog ever :D

Jenny said...

haha seriously, the word verification will make or break if i leave a comment on someones blog -- such a hassle!

those sun dried tomatos are fabbbbbbie! one of my favorite sandwich toppers but I can't seem to find any that don't come packed in oil. No me gusta :(

don't even get me started on that bread... hot damn!

have a great run with your lovies :) tres cute!!

happy happy weekend, Averie! love you!

Kris said...

YUM! This looks amazing! I will be picking up more ninners later today! Have you tried baking this cake with Agave instead of sugar? I will have to experiment!
Thank you again for another great recipe ;)

healthhappinesshope said...

That's so sweet about the family run! Enjoy it!

I hear you on the nanners! There have been a few times when my grocery store has been out of them, and I basically go into a panic mode haha. So many of my meals and recipes, especially my breakfasts, have bananas in them!

LOVE boat pose! It is such an amazing ab workout!

xxoo
Heather

Hayley said...

I must have missed something in an earlier post (or I've gotten behind again!) because I didn't see the question about blogging preferences. I'm with the others though - WOOHOO for no word verification! I don't really ever have probs with blogspot, but when I leave comments on Wordpress blogs I always have to hit the "submit" button a few times before it actually goes.


Ok I hope you are working on that recipe book..you are unbelievably talented Averie!

I guess I'd have to say I drink an occasional diet coke (the HORROR!) on the weekend or if I go out to dinner. I know, very bad but it could be worse right?

N.D. said...

I made it - as a cake. It was soo good!!!

littlemissminny said...

I love banana bread! The ingredients of this recipe look great, so I'll make sure to try and make my own

peanutbutterbliss said...

i am ALL over that peanut butter banana bread cake :) hello deliciousness in a pan.

*Naomi* said...

ohh what a good Q about the drinks onthe weekends! I sometimes like to get a lattee or cappucino on the weekends as a treat and not to much ever get the during the week. I tend to not want all the extra calories from the milk, but on the weekends I allow myself to get one!!

the recipe looks FANTASTIC!!

N.D. said...

thanks for your comment! I made it late after the baby was in bed and just cut and ate it!! I added pumpkin in it with the bananas. It tastes like peanut butter cake! It didn't rise nicely and doesn't look as good as yours but I will take a picture next time. I just want a taste too - but then what do you do with the rest of it!!?? I am very active but need more control and to realize alot of what I try is extra/dessert!

Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats) said...

Happy Saturday Ms Averie!!! Lovin the cake.. not only does it looks super pretty with the banana slices on top but it sounds relatively easy to make!

I really don't "splurge" on weekends.. in fact, no I def dont. lol Im pretty consistent in what I eat. We usually eat out once on a weekend but thats the only change! I tend to cook a "linner" early din/late lunch on Saturdays and Sundays which is nice.. not something I can do on a weekday.

SOO interesting that you are looking into homeschooling your beautiful daughter. I totally give you credit. I think the educational freedom you have with that is wonderful ALSO its a great way to form a stronger relationship with one another. I support ya... but yeah, teaching can be tough.. I love the kids but to be honest it's a ton of paperwork AND dealing with parents can totally suck at times.

;)Enjoy your weekend.

Pure2Raw Twins said...

Banana bread looks super yummy. Going along with your post yesterday in what you like in a blog. I agree with majority of what others said. That each blog is different, with that person or persons :) personality shining through. I enjoy blogs that are fun, honest, provide good information and easy to follow. And good food of course. I like to read many different "styles" of blogs that way I can variety!

Living and Loving in L.A. said...

OH. M. GEE.
I just made your Chocolate Coconut Snowballs, like I said I was going to, and I have to say I'm officially in love with you! But this is also great news because it means now I'm 2 for 2 with your recipes and from now on I'll just have to make more, because clearly, they are all DELISH!
And you are welcome for the award! I love how inspiring and amazing you and your blog are.
Hope you're having a great weekend, Averie!
XO,
Erin

ohonemorething said...

Running with the family! I ran with a friend yesterday and it was so nice! Lol I'm glad you weren't planning on making any changes to your blog ;)

Oof that banana bread cake looks sooo delicious!

Hmm.. does extra sleep count as smething? lol

Lauren said...

Between you and VeggieGirl, you both always make me wanna bake, and I am not a baker...AT ALL! Notice, no yummy baked goods on my blog, ever!! I usually buy my desserts, very un-Martha like of me! Or shall I say, un-Averie like! :)

Anne said...

ahahaha, I'm totally with you on the word verification thing. It annoys me so much! Your banana bread cake looks amazing. I just love moist (haha I don't like that word either) and gooey baked goods. Have a lovely night!

TheFitnessFreak said...

I go through stages of eating a certain food excessively. Right now that would be kale chips but I did go through a banana stage recently too. Maybe it's in the air : )

My weekend indulgence? An iced organic chai tea from Starbucks. I get it unsweetened and add my own agave, yum!

I need to try some of the kale chip goodness on tomatoes and other veggies. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Thanks for popping over to my blog!!

beadmobile said...

Hi! I made this (vegan pb banana bread cake) & the raw cocoa snowballs over the weekend & everything turned out wonderful! The cake is so rich! I almost didn't make it because almond flour was so expensive & I was hesitant to grind almonds (I had an immersion blender that did the trick though!). The snowballs are so good that even my meat-eating husband enjoyed them! I will have to keep a stash in the freezer for a healthy fudge fix! Thank you.
Amy

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