Banana Cake (São Tomé and Príncipe Banana Bolo)

saotome-bananabolo São Tomé and Príncipe banana bolo is a spectacular dessert recipe. It is a scrumptious cake with an amazing caramel and banana topping with just the right amount of spice.

Batter:
1½ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached, sifted
2 tsp. baking powder, sifted
¼ tsp. sea salt
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
½ cup whole milk
¼ tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Topping:
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
¾ cup brown sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced diagonally ¼" thick

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Place rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 9" cake pan with butter or a non-stick cooking spray.

Start the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and the salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.

Add the egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Add the flour mixture, then some milk then repeat until flour mixture and milk is used up.

Prepare the Topping (Caramel):
Place the butter, brown sugar, and spices in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until butter melts and the sugar has dissolved . Without stirring, continue cooking for a few more minutes or until bubbles start to form around the outside edges of the mixture and the sugar begins to caramelize.

Then remove from heat, add the vanilla, and stir. Pour into a greased cake pan. Evenly arrange the sliced bananas on top of the caramel.

Finish the Cake:
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites at low speed until frothy. Add the lemon juice.

Then, beat increasing the speed gradually to high until the whites form a firm peak. With a large rubber spatula gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter.

Pour the batter into the caramel and banana lined cake pan. Smooth the top. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven.

Place on a wire rack to cool for approximately 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Invert the banana cake onto a serving plate. Serve the Banana cake warm.

Makes 8 servings.