During your Vietnam travel, you will encounter numerous Vietnamese foods. Among them, Vietnamese banana cake stands out as an irresistible treat that you will keep savoring and cherishing. The natural aroma of bananas, the creamy richness of butter, and the delightful texture of coconut create a symphony of flavors that will leave your heart yearning for more.
1. What is Vietnamese banana cake?
Vietnamese banana cake is a classic Vietnamese dessert that utilizes bananas to the fullest. Vietnamese people have ingeniously crafted various variations of banana cakes, all of which are delicious, but the most popular is undoubtedly the baked one. Thus, to mention Vietnam banana cake is often to mention its baked variation.
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2. Main ingredients for Vietnamese banana cake
As the name suggests, the most essential ingredient for this cake is ripe and fragrant bananas. If you are a banana lover and want to add a twist to this all-too-familiar fruit, Vietnamese banana cake becomes a unique invention that will allow you to enjoy the delicious and nutritious flavor of bananas.
The specific ingredients for a baked banana cake are:
- Peeled ripe banana: 2 - 2.5kg
- Coconut milk: 800ml
- Sweetened condensed milk: 200ml
- Evaporated milk: 100gr
- Rum: 2 tablespoons
- Granulated sugar: 350g
- Bread: 300g
- All-purpose wheat/rice flour: 50g
- Melted butter: 50 - 80g
- Eggs: 2
- Vanilla extract: 1 tube
- Honey: 1 tablespoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
3. How to make a Vietnamese banana cake?
After you have prepared all the necessary ingredients, follow the instructions below to create a delicious and enticing Vietnamese banana cake.
- Step 1: Prepare the bananas
Prepare a bowl of diluted saltwater. Peel the bananas and soak them in for 2 - 3 minutes.
Remove the bananas from the water, put 350 grams of sugar into them, and store them in a cool place or the refrigerator's chill compartment for 8 hours.
Prepare a pot with a thick bottom. Put the bananas into the pot and simmer them until they are soft. During simmering, add 2 tablespoons of rum and 80 grams of melted butter.
- Step 2: Prepare the bread mixture
Prepare a bowl that can hold 800 ml of coconut milk, 100 grams of condensed milk, 2 eggs, 50 grams of wheat or rice flour, 1 tablespoon of honey, one tube of vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Finally, add 300 grams of small-cut bread and mix well. Pour the simmered banana water into the bread mixture and mix well. Cut the bananas into thin slices for easy placement into the mold.
- Step 3: Arrange the bananas
Place smaller-sized banana pieces at the bottom of the mold and put larger banana slices on the top to enhance the aesthetic appeal.
Prepare a tray. Place a layer of thinly sliced bananas on the bottom, followed by a second layer of bread mixture, and a third layer of bananas.
After arranging the bananas in the tray, pour all the banana syrup from step 1 and put it in the oven. Set the oven temperature between 160 - 170 degrees Celsius. The cake will be cooked until golden and fragrant within 90 minutes.
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4. Other popular variations of Vietnamese banana cake
- Chuối hấp (steamed banana): A traditional delicacy where ripe bananas are steamed, resulting in a soft and flavorful treat.
- Chuối nếp nướng (grilled banana with sticky rice): A delightful combination of ripe bananas and aromatic sticky rice, grilled to perfection for a unique taste.
- Chuối chiên (fried banana): Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, fried bananas offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
- Bánh tét chuối (glutinous rice cake with banana): This variation blends the essence of glutinous rice with the natural sweetness of bananas, resulting in a harmonious and delectable dessert.
Vietnamese banana cake is a treat that spans the length and breadth of the country, from Northern Vietnam to Southern Vietnam. Each locale adds its unique touch to this beloved dessert.
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In addition to banana cakes, Vietnam boasts a myriad of other enticing dishes that are worth a try, including banh chung, Vietnamese noodles, Vietnamese fried rice, pancake Vietnam, Vietnamese spring rolls, mi Quang, bun dau mam tom, Vietnamese bread, steamed rice rolls, Pho rolls, turmeric fish, Vietnamese broken rice, Vietnamese fish cake, etc.
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With the detailed instructions provided above, you are now equipped to bake a delicious banana cake from scratch. Vietnamese banana cake is a testament to the country's vibrant food culture. It is a must-try indulgence for any visitor to Vietnam, so don't hesitate to explore various other variations of this Vietnamese delicacy to further enhance your culinary repertoire.
