Banana Monkey Party Cake
This delightful Banana Monkey Party Cake is a perfect centerpiece for a jungle-themed birthday party. Bursting with the rich flavors of ripe bananas and warming cinnamon, it's completed with a whimsical monkey face decoration sure to bring a smile to both children and adults. Pair it with some Chunky Monkey Ice Cream for a truly magical dessert experience. This recipe provides instructions to make a cake that serves 12. Double the ingredients for a larger celebration.
12
Servings
425
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
3/4 cup (softened)
flour
3 cups (sifted)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
baking powder
3/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
bananas
3 large (mashed (about 1 1/3 cups))
buttermilk
3/4 cup (none)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (none)
light-brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (packed)
eggs
3 (none)
chocolate buttercream
3/4 cup plus extra for decorating (none)
vanilla icing
(tinted yellow with yellow food coloring)
Junior Mints
2 (for eyes)
black licorice bootlace
1 (for decorating)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter and flour an 8 1/2-inch-diameter 3-quart stainless-steel or ovenproof bowl, and prepare one section of a large muffin tin capable of holding 1 cup. Set these prepared molds aside.
2
In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to ensure they are well combined and aerated.
3
In another bowl, blend the mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4
Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and packed light brown sugar on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy in texture, approximately 2 minutes. Gradually incorporate the eggs, mixing well after each addition.
5
Reduce the mixer speed to medium. Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the banana mixture to the creamed butter, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
6
Divide the batter by filling the prepared muffin cup to three-quarters full and transfer the remaining batter into the prepared baking bowl.
7
Place both the muffin tin and the baking bowl side by side in the preheated oven. Bake the cupcake portion for about 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
8
Once baked, allow the cupcake to cool in the tin on a wire rack.
9
Continue baking the larger cake in the bowl for an additional 1 hour and 10 minutes (total baking time of 1 hour and 40 minutes) until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
10
Remove the large cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the bowl on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Once slightly cooled, invert the bowl to release the cake and let it cool completely.
11
Use a serrated knife to trim the flat, bottom side of the large cake to level it. Similarly, level the top of the cupcake by slicing off any domed part.
12
Slice the cupcake in half vertically to create two 'ears' for the monkey. Horizontally divide the large bowl cake into two layers.
13
Spread approximately 3/4 cup of chocolate buttercream over the surface of the flat layer, then reposition the domed layer on top.
14
Place the layered cake onto a serving plate and generously coat the entire cake with chocolate buttercream, covering both the top and sides to form the monkey's head. Also, cover the cupcake ears with chocolate buttercream.
15
Securely attach the ears to the sides of the cake's head, ensuring the cut, flat sides face backwards and the rounded, cupcake tops are oriented forwards. Use toothpicks to hold them in place if necessary.
16
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large plain round tip with the yellow-tinted vanilla icing. Pipe a substantial oval shape near the front base of the cake to mimic a monkey’s face, then fill in this area with yellow icing and smooth the surface.
17
Cut small pieces of black licorice to form the nose, placing them centrally on the yellow oval. Use a longer piece of licorice to create a smiling mouth just below the nose.
18
Position two Junior Mints above the yellow oval for the eyes.
19
On the ears, pipe half-circles of yellow icing towards the center and fill in to form the inner ear detail.
20
The decorated cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition Information
18.3g
Fat
60g
Carbs
5g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
38.3g
Sugar
325mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Banana Monkey Party Cake?
It is a banana and cinnamon flavored cake designed to look like a monkey, making it a perfect centerpiece for jungle-themed parties.
How many servings does this cake provide?
This recipe makes enough cake to serve 12 people.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What specific baking molds are needed?
You will need an 8 1/2-inch-diameter 3-quart stainless-steel or ovenproof bowl and one section of a large muffin tin.
How do I prepare the baking bowl and muffin tin?
Lightly butter and flour the bowl and the muffin tin section to prevent the batter from sticking.
How long does the cupcake portion take to bake?
The cupcake portion takes approximately 30 minutes to bake.
What is the total baking time for the large bowl cake?
The large cake takes a total of 1 hour and 40 minutes to bake.
What ingredients are in the dry mixture?
The dry mixture consists of sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
What ingredients are in the wet banana mixture?
The wet mixture includes mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
How many bananas are required for the recipe?
You will need 3 large bananas, which should yield about 1 1/3 cups when mashed.
What type of sugar is used in the batter?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of packed light-brown sugar.
How do I cream the butter and sugar?
Use an electric mixer on medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How should I combine the dry and banana mixtures into the creamed butter?
Add them alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
How do I create the monkey's ears?
Level the top of the baked cupcake and slice it in half vertically to create two ear shapes.
How is the large bowl cake assembled before frosting?
Level the flat side of the bowl cake, slice it horizontally into two layers, and spread 3/4 cup of chocolate buttercream between the layers.
What is used to frost the main head and ears?
The head and ears are coated generously with chocolate buttercream.
How do I make the monkey's face area?
Pipe a large oval of yellow-tinted vanilla icing near the front base of the cake and smooth the surface.
What items are used to create the monkey's facial features?
Junior Mints are used for eyes, and black licorice is used for the nose and mouth.
What detail is added to the ears?
Pipe yellow icing half-circles in the center of the chocolate-covered ears to form the inner ear detail.
How long can the decorated cake be stored?
The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours before serving.
What is a recommended side for this cake?
It is recommended to serve the cake with Chunky Monkey Ice Cream.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 425 calories.
How much fat is in one serving of the cake?
There is 18.3g of fat per serving.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 eggs.
Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?
Yes, 3/4 cup of buttermilk is used to provide moisture and flavor.
How long should the cake cool in the bowl?
Allow the cake to cool in the bowl on a wire rack for 30 minutes before inverting it.
What tool should I use to level the cake?
A serrated knife is best for trimming and leveling the cake pieces.
How much flour is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of sifted flour.
Can I make this cake for a larger party?
Yes, you can double the ingredients to make a larger cake for more guests.
How do I ensure the ears stay attached?
You can use toothpicks to securely hold the cupcake ears to the sides of the head if necessary.