Chequered eggless banana cake

Nov 23rd, 2009 | By Sunita | Category: Latest post, bakes, cakes

A little dark, a little bright- isn’t that what life is all about. The light and the dark blend in to make our lives what they are. In fact, the dark makes us appreciate the light even more.

Just like this chequered eggless banana cake. The light and the dark come together to make it the thing of beauty that it is.

I first came across a two toned cake when I was very young. Ma had made a marbled cake and  I was so impressed when she cut into it and revealed the beautiful dark and light patterns within. It made me smile with wonder. Years later, I now have my own version of that cake and whenever I make it, it still makes me smile.

As far as two toned cakes go, I had always admired chequered cakes. I am not a very mathematical person, but somehow, the alternating geometric patterns of  such a cake had always caught my fancy. I know that, nowadays, it is very easy to assemble such a cake by buying a pan specifically meant to create such cakes. But I found a very easy way of doing so, and yes, without the particular pan.

You see, I was enlightened while waiting at the hairdressers, the other day. I had arrived a  bit early and while waiting for my turn, my eyes fell upon a book on cakes ( please do  not ask me the name, I had just picked it up randomly, didn’t bother about the name). I flicked through and came across a chequered cake.  And lo and behold! It showed steps for making one without the special pan. In the two minutes that I had before I was called by the hairdresser, I managed to get a gist of the idea. The pictures haunted me after that little glimpse and I could not get it out of my mind. I had to make one before it got buried among all those others in the head!

The resulting cake is my humble attempt to recapture the idea before it went of my mind. I kept the flavours quite simple and and the cakes were light, inspite of the cream that I used to glue the various pieces and for filling and covering. As I was feeling a bit adventurous, I also managed to decorate the top of the cake with some melted chocolate mixed with a little cream, a pattern which I really enjoy doing, but which I rarely do nowadays. The last time I did this pattern was for this perfect party cake for a daring bakers challenge.

After decorating the cake, I crossed my fingers for the moment of truth.  Apprehensively, I cut into it, and voila!  There it was, a chequered cake in all its glory. “Mum’s made a chess board! “, exclaimed the kids, excitedly, as they wolfed down slices of the cake; while I ticked off another bookmarked idea in my head!

What’s needed-

1 large banana , pureed
1 and 1/2 C of whole wheat flour (atta)
6-7 tblsp of ground almonds
2 tsp of baking powder
1/3 tsp of bicarbonate of soda
1 c of milk
1/4 C of vegetable/sunflower oil
5-6 tblsp of honey

for the dark cake, add 3 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder + 1T of milk

For glueing, filling and covering-

2C of double cream, whipped with 1tblsp of sugar till stiff (update- if you like you can also use something else like jam instead of the cream to fix the pieces together and then cover with cream)

How to-

  1. Pre heat the oven at 180 deg C . Line two 8 inch round pans with foil and grease. If you have one pan, make sure that it cools completely before preparing it for the second cake.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the pureed banana, milk, honey and oil.
  4. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and tip in the banana mixture. Fold in till everything is just mixed together.
  5. Divide the mixture into two parts. To one part, add the 3 tblsp of cocoa powder and 1 tblsp of milk and fold in.
  6. Tip the two mixtures into the two pans.Tap the pans against the counter to spread the mixture and release air bubbles.
  7. Place the pans in the centre of the pre heated oven and bake for about 25-27 minutes or till the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted through the centre comes out clean.
  8. Cool the cakes in the pans for two minutes and transfer to a rack, upside down, (after peeling away the foil) to cool completely.
  9. Once cooled, cut out two smaller circles from each cake. ( update- I used 5 inch and 2 inch pastry cutters to cut out the circles; if you do not have one, you can use something else like a lid to cut them out.)  Brush the insides of the cakes and the sides of the cut circles, and fix them in alternate colours. You will now have two cakes with alternating colours in each. Spread a little cream over the top of one cake and pace the other on top. Cover the sides and top with the cream to make one whole cake. I ran a fork along the sides of the cake to make lines.

  10. Decorate the top as desired. ( I mixed a little melted chocolate with some cream to make the patterns; I eyeballed the amounts)

  11. Now, slice and enjoy your handiwork.

I had great fun making this cake. The cake was soft and light, and we loved the mild taste of the cake and yes, it was a beauty to behold!

Enjoy!!

On another note, my blog is being currently featured at refrigerator soup.com’s section of “twenty questions with our favourite food bloggers”.

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105 comments
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  1. nags November 24th, 2009 12:38 am :

    brilliant! and so so pretty!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    Thanks nags :-)

    [Reply]

  2. Melanie November 24th, 2009 2:30 am :

    Lovely cake!!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Thanks Melanie :-)

    [Reply]

  3. http://mrsergulcooksmrsergulbakes.blogspot.com/ November 24th, 2009 2:42 am :

    I never knew chequered cakes were made like that! What great information! Thank you for sharing!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    You are most welcome :-)

    [Reply]

  4. rachel November 24th, 2009 2:47 am :

    I have been wanting to do this cake and was thinking on how to go about it without the pans required and am glad you posted this..Thank you so much!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    You’re welcome Rachel; do give it a try :-)

    [Reply]

  5. Yamini November 24th, 2009 2:50 am :

    Hi Sunita,
    my interest was piqued from the moment i read the title of your post – i love patterned cakes, and have sometimes wondered as to how they are created – this is a wonderfully easy way to achieve a very impressive piece :) thanks for sharing it – this will be one of my to-try cakes for sure! :)
    cheers,
    yamini

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    Yamini, it’s actually quite simple, isn’t it? Glad you like it; now you too can make your own :-)

    [Reply]

  6. sreelu November 24th, 2009 4:40 am :

    OMG Sunitha, wish I could dig in. Looks so beautiful, lady you are one talented baker

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    Awww, thanks Sreelu, wish i could hand some to you :-)

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  7. Sunshinemom November 24th, 2009 4:54 am :

    This has come out very beautiful! Thanks for sharing the simple procedure.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    You’re most welcome. and yes, it is quite simple indeed :-)

    [Reply]

  8. Sudeshna November 24th, 2009 4:54 am :

    Sunita,
    This is a brilliant idea, you are my princess of baking :) . I just wanted to know I thing, can I use maida in place of atta.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    Thanks Sudeshna :-) And yes, you can use maida .

    [Reply]

  9. Amanda November 24th, 2009 4:59 am :

    Beautiful!! Love your technique!

    Blessings-
    Amanda

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    Thank you Amanda :-)

    [Reply]

  10. Sharmila November 24th, 2009 5:10 am :

    It looks awesome Sunita! Wow! And considering I have everything needed at home right now except the cream, am already tempted into trying this out. Am not sure if I’ll go thru the whole process of arranging the thing … will start chomping on it once it is done. :-)

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Thank you Sharmila, do try it. In fact it is not absolutely necesary to put cfeam, you can use jam to fix the layers too. And you could also cover it with others, for instance some melted chocolate :-D

    [Reply]

  11. Rosa November 24th, 2009 5:17 am :

    Beautiful! That cake looks so moist and smooth!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Thanks Rosa :-)

    [Reply]

  12. jayasree November 24th, 2009 5:25 am :

    Amazing…Sounds easy to assemble the cake. Its looking gorgeous.

    Read your 20 answers at refrigeratorsoup. As you said, I love your baking with more of atta, less of fat. And you make most of them eggless too. That suits me all the more. Keep up the good work.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    Thanks jayasree, glad you like my ways :-)

    [Reply]

  13. Nachiketa November 24th, 2009 5:50 am :

    That was a fantastic innovation, instead of odering a $30 pan from amazon….. WOW!!!!

    Am glad i waited, n didn’t order it right away…..

    I love the flavour of Banana n Chocolate put together, just did a ‘Banana Chocochips Cheesecake‘.

    Will make this yummilicious looking cake soon…

    Thanks
    The Variable – Nachiketa

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks nachiketa; yes, it was really satisfying to see the cake come together. do give it a try. will check out your chesecake soon :-)

    [Reply]

  14. prathibha November 24th, 2009 6:05 am :

    oh my god..

    It looks super delicious….
    I have been thinking for a while to prepare this..
    ur snaps helped me a lot to understand the process better..

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    Thanks pratibha, give it a go :-)

    [Reply]

  15. kumudha November 24th, 2009 6:09 am :

    The cake looks so divine! Thanks for the recipe.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    You’re welcome :-)

    [Reply]

  16. Preethi November 24th, 2009 6:20 am :

    this is awesome…. at ur peak performance…. kudos!!! by d way- where did u get that circular cake cutter or whatever u call it??

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks; those pastry cutters were bought at a local shop. you can get them online too Mowielicious

    http://www.cookmatesouthwest.co.uk/acatalog/Pastry_Cutters___Set_of_6___Double_Edged.html

    [Reply]

  17. Latha November 24th, 2009 8:17 am :

    Sunita,

    I try not to but can’t helping opening your page first thing in the morning as I enjoy my hot cup of chai. this is amazing, amazing, amazing. will you ever let me tick off anything that i bookmarked? ;-)

    are pureed and mashed banana one and the same? and yes me too want to know what you used to cut off such perfect circles.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Latha, thanks for your kind words.

    As for the banana, when you mashed, sometimes llumps remain. i wanted it smooth this time, so pureed it in the food procesor.

    And those are pastry cutters which i bought from a local shop you can get them online too http://www.cookmatesouthwest.co.uk/acatalog/Pastry_Cutters___Set_of_6___Double_Edged.html

    [Reply]

  18. Nicisme November 24th, 2009 9:42 am :

    Wow, that’s so cool! Spectacular!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    Thank you Nic :-)

    [Reply]

  19. The Cooking Ninja November 24th, 2009 9:45 am :

    What a brillant idea! I never thot of that. :) I love banana cake. so yummy.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    I know, isn’t it neat? I’m so glad i made it :-)

    [Reply]

  20. SGD November 24th, 2009 9:46 am :

    Goodness!!! This is brilliant yet so simple!!!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Thanks SGD :-)

    [Reply]

  21. Madhuli November 24th, 2009 10:08 am :

    Lovely cake and what a a nice way of getting the pattern without the sp. pan.Thanks.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    Glad you like it madhuli :-)

    [Reply]

  22. Trissa November 24th, 2009 10:20 am :

    Very clever! I have always wondered how you did this – so the collage provides excellent instruction!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

    Thanks Trissa, glad you like it; it’s quite easy to assemble :-)

    [Reply]

  23. Preeti November 24th, 2009 11:25 am :

    Now that’s one masterpiece!! Looks stunning. How did you manage to cut those circles? Is there some kind of cutter available for that?

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    Thanks Preeti; I used pastry cutters like these http://www.cookmatesouthwest.co.uk/acatalog/Pastry_Cutters___Set_of_6___Double_Edged.html

    [Reply]

  24. Happy Cook November 24th, 2009 12:52 pm :

    I am so glad you were early in the haridresser. This looks so so beautifull.
    Wish i could grab a slice. I am sure bookmarking this to make one day.
    Don’t have a cutter like you so have to use a lod or something like that.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Give it a try HC, I was so happy to make it :-)

    [Reply]

  25. SE(Denufood) November 24th, 2009 1:28 pm :

    yummy….brilliant and awesome..!!! this looks so beautiful and delicious ofcourse….good to know the idea behind the checkered cakes..thanks for sharing.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    You’re welcome;glad you like it :-)

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    You’re welcome;glad you like it SE:-)

    [Reply]

  26. Ishmi November 24th, 2009 1:57 pm :

    Stumbled across your blog…what loveliness! I mean no superlative is good enough for all the mouth-watering creations of yours! You go girl! :)

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    Thanks Ishmi, glad you like it :-)

    [Reply]

  27. deeba November 24th, 2009 1:58 pm :

    JUST BRILLIANT Sunita…love it! Son is sitting on my shoulder asking me to make it…sigh! See you soon girl. HUGS!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

    Thanks deeba; aww, send him over, i think i know how to keep him happy :-) and yes, see you soon!!

    [Reply]

  28. Sarah, Maison Cupcake November 24th, 2009 2:30 pm :

    This is incredible! Way more impressive than crusty old battenberg! Fabulous stuff. See you Saturday!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    Thanks sarah; yes, see you soon :-)

    [Reply]

  29. alka November 24th, 2009 2:48 pm :

    just lovely!!! and it sounds easy as well!!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    alka, believe me, it is easy; give it a go :-)

    [Reply]

  30. Asha@FSK November 24th, 2009 3:35 pm :

    Beautiful!!! now I have an idea for a birthday cake I am making this weekend!!!!!! awesome.. thanks :) ))

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    You’re welcome asha; do give it a try :-)

    [Reply]

  31. Priya November 24th, 2009 4:14 pm :

    Wat a beautiful cake, Hats off to ur tremendous dishs…Love ur dishes Sunita..u r an inspiration for us:)..

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    You’re welcome Priya :-)

    [Reply]

  32. Sayantani November 24th, 2009 4:27 pm :

    Brilliant! such a neat work Sunita. you are a superb baker.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Thanks. Glad you like it Sayantani :-)

    [Reply]

  33. CurryLeaf November 24th, 2009 5:13 pm :

    Brilliant work Sunita.Thanx for sharing the procedure.SUPERB it looks,can’t take my eyes off the pattern.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Thank you :-)

    [Reply]

  34. diva November 24th, 2009 5:39 pm :

    WOW! COOOOL! i must try this one day. this is totally new to me. checkered cake? this would be great for tea-time. if no one knew it was patterned inside, and then they got a slice! so much fun. x

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    I must say that I did let out a squeal when I cut into it. I’ve never made one before, so was really excited :-)

    [Reply]

  35. Aparna November 24th, 2009 6:13 pm :

    Looks gorgeous, Sunita. I make a another version, but this eggless ocake is calling to me.

    [Reply]

  36. Mowie @ Mowielicious.com November 24th, 2009 6:59 pm :

    Lovely photos Sunita! This post brings back so many memories of my childhood, like the first time I saw a chequered cake, like you, I was amazed! And then when I found out how my mother had made it, I had to try making one myself. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing x

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Thanks Mowie! Yes, aren’t those memories so precious?

    [Reply]

  37. Sumi November 24th, 2009 7:06 pm :

    yummy cake, and a new way to impress the family..bookmarked it.Going to try it sometime during the christmas holidays.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Thanks Sumi, do give it a try :-)

    [Reply]

  38. Bong Mom November 24th, 2009 7:56 pm :

    Lovely pic Sunita, love the checks

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Thanks S :-)

    [Reply]

  39. Soma November 24th, 2009 8:05 pm :

    Awe inspiring! would not dare to make it. Love it.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Soma, didn’t mean to scare you; give it a try, I’m sure you’ll do a great job :-)

    [Reply]

  40. Steph November 24th, 2009 8:26 pm :

    I’ve always wanted to make a checkered cake.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Well, now you can ;-)

    [Reply]

  41. Colloquial Cook November 24th, 2009 8:44 pm :

    … AKA When Pretty runs head first into Delicious :-)

    If you made a Rubik’s cube version of that cake, it could actually be the first time of my life I’d get interested in the device :-)

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Claire, you know, I really look forward to your comments. You always manage to make me smile. i’m so looking forward to meeting you on saturday at the FBC :-)

    [Reply]

  42. Sonia November 24th, 2009 10:12 pm :

    Awesome idea Sunita! You have explained very neatly that’s easy to make. Bookmarked! :)

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    Glad you like it Sonia, do give it a try :-)

    [Reply]

  43. pari November 25th, 2009 3:25 am :

    Dear Sunita, I am so glad u had reached early at ur hairdresser. Now I have to buy those pastry cutters …this looks so beautiful and ur kids have explained it so well …chess board!!! Great job again.

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    Thanks Pari. Even if you do not have pastry cutters, you can use a lid of the same size.

    [Reply]

  44. Jyothsna November 25th, 2009 9:17 am :

    Beautiful! Dark and light… and looks perfect!

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks :-)

    [Reply]

  45. Carrie November 25th, 2009 5:49 pm :

    This looks lovely. May I ask what you used to cut the smaller circles. I can see them in the pics but I don’t know what they are called?

    [Reply]

    Sunita Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Thanks Carie, they are pastry cutters Check them here http://www.cookmatesouthwest.co.uk/acatalog/Pastry_Cutters___Set_of_6___Double_Edged.html

    [Reply]

  46. Khaugiri November 26th, 2009 3:20 am :

    GR8!!!! This is reaaly awesome… Thanks for sharing:)

    [Reply]

  47. Bharathy November 26th, 2009 4:30 am :

    How can you eat such a pretty pretty cake? :) !…this is Glorious!!

    [Reply]

  48. sabjimata November 26th, 2009 11:10 am :

    wow looks like a lot of work but the result is gorgeous!

    [Reply]

  49. Sig November 27th, 2009 12:41 am :

    Ooh, so pretty! That is indeed a work of art… Great job Sunita!

    [Reply]

  50. Lovina November 27th, 2009 11:38 am :

    Nice Cake.. i was always thinking how the chess board pattern is done. This is amazing.. can u let me know the method to do a bar cake with this chess board effect… Thanks a ton for the post..

    [Reply]

  51. Nirmala November 27th, 2009 11:52 am :

    Lovely. Such simple geometry and it has a stunning effect. Need to make this in the weekend ;)

    [Reply]

  52. Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets November 28th, 2009 7:13 pm :

    Thank you so much for this method! I’ve always admired the look of checkerboard cakes but hate one-use equipment. I have an adjustable cake ring that should work quite well. Happy holidays!

    [Reply]

  53. Peggy November 30th, 2009 2:09 pm :

    Looks great!

    [Reply]

  54. Ambika Venkat November 30th, 2009 11:59 pm :

    Hey Sunita, that is so cooool!! Such an easy way to make a chequered cake!! I love this simple and elegant cake!

    [Reply]

  55. Lesley December 2nd, 2009 12:03 am :

    Hi Sunita,
    Came across you via a friend who is a food blogger….what a find…..love the cake!!
    Lesley

    [Reply]

  56. Latha December 3rd, 2009 7:19 pm :

    Hi Sunita,

    I managed to find and grab the one and only pastry cutter y’day and of course went ahead with the project:-) i used dessert ring for the chocolate batter. and also i didn’t measure out the batters evenly so had to slice the plain one to fix properly. it’s amazingly simple to make and really relaxing too. next time i’d ‘glue’ with jam because with cream i find it a bit wiggly;-) the cake itself is delish. thank you so much for reading such nice books even while at the hair dresser…

    [Reply]

    Latha Reply:
    December 3rd, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    husband dear wants to know if the cake can be made a wee bit sweeter. can I replace honey with sugar. if yes how many spoons?

    [Reply]

  57. sunitha December 7th, 2009 9:17 pm :

    Awesome.. the cake looks moist and the checks have come out well.. the photography is as good..

    [Reply]

  58. Authman December 15th, 2009 11:33 pm :

    Cool! Can’t wait to try to make this

    [Reply]

  59. sweta shubha February 4th, 2010 2:52 am :

    this is simply awesome…. was looking for some fuss free n healthy banana cake..its healthy, simple and i will definitely try it…

    [Reply]

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