Banana and Honey Chocolate Cake

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt......

I know looking at this cake you must be thinking I have gone bananas - this cake doesn't spell 'banana cake' from any angle and looks more like a strawberry cake. Actually the strawberries are there purely for ornamental purpose - to add some color and to 'pretty-up' the cake a bit. Apart from that, they also feature on the top list of my dear daughter's favorite fruit. 

My daughters 12th class board exams ended 5 days back and I baked this cake to surprise her when she returned back home after giving her last exam. To celebrate the occasion, I decided to make a cake with all her favorite things - Chocolate, Chocolate and more Chocolate!! And of course the whipped cream and strawberries added to the glam. The smile on her face on seeing the cake was enough to tell me what she thought of it.

I think the word 'BOARDS' must be unanimously voted as the most detested and dreaded word by all school students especially twelfthies. Throughout the year, I think they never get to hear the end of this word and for most, every request is echoed with the logic, "But, its your board year, sweetie", "this is the most crucial year of your life, so you just need to focus", "concentrate on your studies so you can get into a good college of your choice", "the little effort you put in now will make your life".....and it goes on and on. Poor kids, I feel so bad for them. So much pressure from everyone and everywhere!!(Unfortunately, I too stand guilty of this act).

But thankfully, the tension and stress is finally over. I think the last year of school is just a way to prepare them for bigger challenges ahead in life - a stepping stone for more beautiful things to come into their life. Every child is special in their own way and I am sure destiny has something in their kitty for each one of them

                                     
So this special chocolatey cake is for my  special girl - our little princess!! May the future hold beautiful things for her and she always gets to live her dream. And of course.... life always has lots of chocolate cakes to offer.

                                              Whatever dreams you're dreaming,

May each one of them come true.

Whatever plans you're making,

May they all work out for you.

And may you have more happiness

Than any words can tell.

Not only on this day,

But all the year as well.

May you have a little sunlight

to guide you on your way.

May you discover, little by little,

happiness that's here to stay.

May you grow a little stronger

and a little wiser with each dawn

May you have a little time to

believe in dreams to dream upon

May all the joy your heart desires

find its way to you.

And may the blessings that brighten up your days

keep on shining through.

Ingredients

100 gms sugar
100 gms Margarine
3 eggs
2 Tbsp honey
3 ripe bananas, mashed
100 gms flour
2 Tsp baking powder
1 Tsp cinnamon powder
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp coffee powder
50 gms chocolate chips dusted with a little flour

Method
Preheat oven to 180 C.
Gently heat the margarine on the gas or microwave for a minute till melted. Keep aside to cool.
With the hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar for 5-6 minutes untill light and fluffy.
Sieve the flour, baking powder, cocoa, coffee and cinnamon.
Fold it gently into the egg mixture till well mixed. 
Add the mashed bananas, honey and the melted margarine and mix well till incorporated.
Lastly add in the chocolate chips and stir the mixture gently till well mixed.
Pour the mixture in a greased baking tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 30-35 minutes till done.
Serve it frosted with your favorite icing.