Banana Chocolate Cake
Giveaway today. Read on...
Last week's winner by random number: Tracy! Congrats!!
* * *
I had my stepson and his wife and their cute boys over for a swim day (they call me Didi) and the kids saw I had a cake on the counter under a dome. They don’t often get sugar. Special occasions only. Birthday parties and such. That’s okay by me. I have the goodies around for my coffee breaks in the morning. A writer needs fuel.

Now Miles, the oldest, doesn’t really like icing. But
he ate every bite. What a hit. They wanted to take it home.
Um...I didn’t let them.
By the way, they love Sparky!! And he dances now, on command. So that really makes them happy.
Gluten-Free
Banana Chocolate Cake with Vanilla icing
Ingredients:
4 tablespoon oil
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon gluten-free Vanilla
or Vanillin
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups gluten-free flour (I use sweet rice flour, potato starch and
tapioca starch mix)
½ teaspoon Xanthan gum
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup chocolate chips or nuts (if desired)
icing recipe below
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In bowl, mix oil, sugar, eggs, bananas, vanilla, milk, and vinegar.
Add in gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking
powder.
Stir well. If desired, add
chocolate chips or nuts.
Pour into 2 8-inch cake rounds rubbed or sprayed with oil. Bake
for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Set one cake round on a cake plate. Frost with 1/2 of the icing. Place
the other round (puffy side up) on top. Frost just the top of the cake with the
remaining frosting.
Best if served at room temperature.
ICING RECIPE
Ingredients:
(Frosts 1
cake)
1/2 cup
butter (8 tablespoons)
3 cups
powdered sugar
1/3 cup
milk
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients
until creamy using a mixer, whipping on high. (May be stored in airtight
container for up to 2 weeks.)
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Giveaways!
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Also, if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, here's a sneak preview of the launch prize I'm giving out to one lucky winner. I'll also be giving out sets of the first two books in the
Cookbook Nook mysteries. Are you signed up?
Sign up for the mailing list
And today, I'm giving away one autographed copy of, your choice, either FINAL SENTENCE or INHERIT THE WORD plus some swag. [To US entrants only]
Note: if you're international, you'll have your choice of a copy of the book, unsigned.
Leave a comment and your email so I can contact you!
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I would choose to read this book on the cover alone, though I know I love your writing. Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAw, Ronna, thanks! Isn't Tigger in the witch hat cute?
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I'm very happy that I came across several of the mystery writer blogs. They have exposed my to authors that I was not familiar with. As a result I've now expanded my list of "New to me" authors and their works. You are one of them and I've been enjoying your works. Servedogmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteServedogmom, so glad you found us!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
The cake recipe looks yummy! Thank you for sharing. I have started reading your Cheese Shop Mystery series which I have enjoyed. I am looking forward to the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. The covers are adorable! I would like to be entered in the contest for the Final Sentence, please. Thank you. My addy is myrifraf @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in, Jen,
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Your Cheese Shop mysteries top my list of favorite series. Not only are the mysteries enjoyable, I really like learning about cheese.
ReplyDeleteI am also enjoying The Cookbook Nook series, and I agree the cover for your latest is fantastic.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot) com
Ilk10, so glad I'm able to help you learn more about cheese. Let's thank all my mentors for that, too. It's been a wonderful education for me.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I can't wait to try this cake! I have two "use it or lose it" bananas and one just about at that point at home.
ReplyDeleteharbingerdc @ gmail.com
That's it with bananas, right? If they go, ugh! Love them when they're just perfect. But when the reach the "dark side," they're perfect for a cake.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I've never baked anything gluten free but the cake looks good.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon dot net
Sandy, it's really easy. Much more so now that there are mixes and GF flour basics on regular grocery shelves!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Yum sounds so good always looking for good gluten free recipes. I love this series too.
ReplyDeleteLhxp73@yahoo.com
Deb, glad to oblige. :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Deb, you won the giveaway by random number pick! I'll email you to get more details. Congrats!!
DeleteDaryl
Sparky is adorable!
ReplyDeleteAnd the cake looks positively yummy.
Looking forward to the next book.
libbydodd@comcast.net
Thanks, Libby. Sparky has been a wonderful companion this past year! Keeps me on my toes!!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
Thank you so much for all the gluten free recipes that you share. So many in my family either have to or choose to eat gluten free that figuring something to make for family gatherings can be a challenge. But this looks like something that most if not all would enjoy. Thank you also for writing such amazing books. Love each one that I've read and looking forward to (hopefully) many more.
ReplyDeleterobbfan141729@yahoo.com
Meg, thanks so much for telling me about the family! Gatherings can be a challenge, but when you have things that taste good, much easier!!
DeleteHugs
Daryl / Avery
Chocolate and bananas are such a wonderful combination. I bet the bananas also helped the cake stay moist. What lucky boys Miles and his brother are. I bet they love doing to Didi's!
ReplyDeleteThey do love going to Didi's. :) We play and swim and have a ball.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
What a yummy looking cake though as I have to fight Sunshine for bananas. A cat loves bananas, who knew.
ReplyDeleteBecky Prazak
rjprazak6@gmail.com
LOL. Your cat likes bananas? Wow!
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I have been looking forward to this title for so long!
ReplyDeleteAw, sweet, Lisa! Thanks.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
The cake and the book both look yummy! Looking forward to reading the book...and trying the cake recipe!
ReplyDeletemisstree1963@gmail.com
Thanks, Ellen.
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I was already a fan of the Cheese Shop mysteries when I discovered your Cookbook Nook series. I enjoyed Final Sentence and am looking forward to reading the next two in this series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! Email address?
DeleteDaryl / Avery
I love your books; thank you for sharing your talents. I'd love to win. I'd choose Final Sentence. Thank you. janngrogan@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. :)
DeleteDaryl / Avery