This Monkey Cake is an Animal Inspired Treat
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: August 22, 2011

This monkey cake from Tast-e is perfect for anyone who is an animal lover.  The base is chocolate banana cake and it's covered in peanut butter frosting.  If you are allergic to peanuts, have no fear- the same frosting can be made with almond or cashew butter.  For this cake, you will need two cupcakes and one 5X2 inch cake (pan can be found in cookware stores or online).  For visual step by step assembly instructions, click here.  If you are looking for a fun project to do with the kids or know someone who loves monkeys, this is a fun cake to bake.
Chocolate Banana Cake
Makes a 5 X 2 inch cake and 3 cupcakes
 
Ingredients
½ cup sugar
¾ cup + 2 Tablespoons flour
¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
½ cup mashed bananas (about 1 banana)
½ cup warm water
¼ cup buttermilk
¼ cup canola oil
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Directions
1.     Preheat oven to 350○ F. Line baking pan with parchment and cupcake pan with liners.  I used a 5x2 inch cake pan, but if you want to make a larger cake, you’ll need to increase the recipe.
2.     In a large bowl, sift together sugar, flour, cocoa power, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3.     In a bowl, mix egg, mashed bananas, water, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. 
4.     Pour wet mixture into dry, and stir until combined.
5.     Pour into baking pans and bake:  28 minutes for cake, 13 minutes for cupcakes
6.     Cool on wire rack before frosting.
Peanut Butter Frosting:
	Makes 2.5 cups
 
Ingredients
5 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
¼ cup butter, room temperature
2.5 cups icing sugar, sifted
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
 
Directions
1.       Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.  I used a hand held mixer.
2.       Add icing sugar ½ cup at a time.  Beat until light and fluffy.
3.       Beat in peanut butter.
For cake assembly instructions, click here.