Delightful Banana Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, softened, divided
• 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium)
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
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• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans
• DRIZZLE:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons fat-free milk

Directions

• Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; mix well. In a small bowl, beat the bananas, sour cream, applesauce and vanilla until blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to the butter mixture alternately with banana mixture. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and remaining butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly; stir in water.
• Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold into batter. Fold in walnuts.
• Coat a 10-in. fluted tube pan with cooking spray and sprinkle with flour; add a third of the cake batter. Drizzle with half of the chocolate mixture. Repeat layers; top with remaining batter. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For drizzle, in a small heavy saucepan, melt butter until lightly browned. Remove from the heat; stir in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over cake. Yield: 16 servings.

Delightful Banana Cake published in Healthy Cooking October/November 2008, p44