About this video

• Video Title: Brown Butter Black Sesame Banana Bread Cake
• Channel: justine_snacks
• Speakers: Justine Snacks
• Duration: 00:17:34

Overview

This video is a tutorial on how to make a Brown Butter Black Sesame Banana Bread Cake. The host, Justine Snacks, guides viewers through each step, from browning the butter and toasting sesame seeds to preparing the batter and making a hybrid cream cheese frosting. The video emphasizes unique flavor combinations and provides tips for achieving a moist and flavorful cake.

Key takeaways

• Brown Butter Flavor: Browning the butter is a key step that adds a toasty, marshmallow-like flavor to the cake.
• Black Sesame Seeds: Black sesame seeds are used in both the cake and frosting, providing a distinct "coffee nuttiness" and visual appeal.
• Moisture Reassurance: Greek yogurt is added to the batter to ensure a moist cake, especially if less ripe bananas are used.
• Baking Science: The host explains the roles of baking powder and baking soda in leavening and how they react with other ingredients.
• Hybrid Frosting: A blend of cream cheese frosting and American buttercream is created for a fluffy yet tangy icing.

Ingredients

• For the Brown Butter:
  • 12 tablespoons (170g) butter
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) reserved butter
• For the Cake:
  • 1/2 cup (approx. 85g) black sesame seeds
  • 450g mashed banana
  • 250g brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 80g Greek yogurt (or skyr)
  • 315g whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
• For the Frosting:
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) softened butter
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) softened cream cheese
  • 113g powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional, for consistency)
  • Black sesame seeds (reserved from cake ingredients)
  • Flaky salt

To-Do Steps

1. Brown the Butter: Melt 12 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over low heat until it turns golden brown and toasty. Reserve 4 tablespoons for later and let the rest cool slightly.
2. Toast Sesame Seeds: Toast black sesame seeds until they start to pop. Reserve about a tablespoon for topping and set the rest aside to cool.
3. Prepare Bananas: Mash 450g of bananas until smooth.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the slightly cooled brown butter with the mashed bananas, brown sugar, eggs, and Greek yogurt.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
6. Grind Sesame Seeds: Pulse the cooled toasted sesame seeds (reserving some for topping) in a spice grinder or food processor until they clump together but do not turn into tahini.
7. Mix Batter: Add the dry ingredients and the ground sesame seeds to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
8. Prepare Pan: Line a springform pan with parchment paper.
9. Bake Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spread evenly, and sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds and flaky salt. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool Cake: Let the cake cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
11. Make Frosting: Beat together softened butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then add heavy cream (if using) until the desired fluffy consistency is reached. Mix in the remaining ground black sesame seeds.
12. Frost Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, frost it with the black sesame cream cheese frosting.