Baking is bananas

Apr 20, 2020Create, Lifestyle

Banana coffee cake with streusel topping

I’ve been low-key craving banana coffee crumb cake after trying a slice of a keto version that my office manager baked some time ago. I would’ve loved to make a keto cake but couldn’t figure out good carb-free ingredient substitutes with all these stores running out of supplies. Not that we’re out of supplies or anything… In fact, we’ve been able to get all our necessary groceries consistently since starting quarantine. It’s just always a bit more difficult to find no/low-carb options. Thank goodness for the roadside makeki stands too, for having fresh niu and misiluki bananas for 2 bucks a bunch. 

Regardless of the fact that this is my first time baking (or one of the first times, I don’t recall a previous first time), I severely underestimated the time it would take to make this dang cake. I followed this recipe I found on Pinterest, and two hours later—I truly don’t understand why it took me so long when the recipe said it was only 10 mins prep—I popped it in the oven and waited for the magic to happen. Ian braved the uncertainty of my baking abilities with the first taste test… 

And the verdict is in…

It’s edible! Not just edible, it was also quite (dare I say) delicious! To prove Ian’s non-bias, I took half the loaf next door and had my best friend Jabs sample a slice… and she said it was equally moist, firm, walnutty, sweet-but-not-too-sweet, and overall better than average! My favorite part is the streusel topping.

As you can see, I’m in no short supply of unbiased taste testers, hahaha.

I’m honestly very pleased with myself, and shooketh, because it makes me wonder, who the heck do I think I am!? Martha Stewart over here, sans the crochet jail poncho.

Made two batches—one last night, and one this morning—because I bought a small 6×6” baking pan, and the recipe called for a 9×6” pan. Both were equally yum, even though one was thinner than the other.

And there you have it folks, she (meaning me) can indeed bake!

Hope you’re all safe and well.

Nerelle

2 Comments

    • nerelle

      Hahah yes they’re really tiny! It’s called “misiluki” bananas here, and they are sweet and delish!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Photo Diaries

Fam in jammies, a Christmas Eve photo journal

Beyond the lights, the decorations, the music, and the presents, it's FAMILY that makes this day so special to me. Sharing...
Photo Diaries Travel

Photo Journal: LACMA

Photo journal from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) with Ian, Polly, and Rick. January 2020.
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Improve within by being outside

Some days, it's a struggle to do more than the minimum. But remind yourself that sometimes, that's exactly just what...
Photography

Sessions: Georgia and Mareike at sunrise

Part 1 of a sunrise session with these two beautiful women, flat mates, and friends. We woke up before the...
Moments

On the cusp of something new and beautiful

Grateful for this man, our baby on the way, and the journey that led us to here.
Moments

A pensive Officer Scruffles

Moments Photo Diaries

Double Rainbows

More living in the present, while still documenting and appreciating the journey along the way. This one makes me smile...
Lifestyle

Spontaneous date nights around the island

Spontaneous date nights are the best. Especially when we skip the restaurant and just get on the road, have the...
Moments

Friday Field Day

Recent phone photos from a Friday field day at Aua village, where we were learning coral restoration techniques: epoxy, cement,...
Travel

Another French Polynesia sailing photo blog

Ah French Polynesia... you gave us so many great memories. Here's yet another photo blog from our sailing adventures on...
Moments

Earth Day Wave 2021

A throwback to Earth Day — April 2021
Lifestyle

Love it when my work days look like this

A couple weeks ago at Fagatele Bay, a new "Class III" scientific buoy was deployed - the highest level of...
Photo Diaries

Just what I needed

This was an emotionally funky day for me. We filled a bag with blankets, books, chips and dips, fresh cold...
Lifestyle

Photo Journal: Aqua Family

A sunny afternoon at Coconut Point with the whole gang, my aqua family.
Lifestyle Travel

Reading on vacation | Ofu Photo Journal

I love feeling like I have all the time in the world on vacations... reading "Coming of Age in Samoa"...
Journal Lifestyle Moments Photo Diaries

Bright Spots I’ve Been Needing — Recovered From the Draft Folder

I was going through my website's back end, and decided it was time to do a little digital decluttering. It...
Meet Photography

MEET: Kau‘ilani Misipeka

Loves her family, turtles, and staying active — and shares what a typical day looks like for her at Coconut...
Moments

Old journals

They make me feel so many emotions. Emotions that I didn't even realize I felt at the time of writing...
Lifestyle Moments

26th. Always Grateful.

Before today ends, I just want to share how incredibly grateful I am for these 26 years of living. This...
Create Lifestyle

Photo Journal: I made a duvet cover!

Last weekend, I mustered up all my creative energy and patience and got to work behind my sewing machine to make...