The bitterness of tahini is suited to sweet, tropical flavors like the banana in this sheet cake. Exceptionally moist, this cake will keep in the refrigerator without drying out for one week.
Banana-Sesame Cake with Tahini-Cream Cheese Swirl Frosting
Ingredients
- 2½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (36 grams) toasted sesame seeds
- 1½ teaspoons (7.5 grams) baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons (4.5 grams) kosher salt, divided
- 2 cups (440 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup (224 grams) toasted sesame oil
- ⅔ cup (160 grams) whole buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons (8 grams) vanilla extract, divided
- 4 large eggs (200 grams)
- 2 cups (454 grams) mashed banana (from about 6 very ripe bananas)
- 1 (8-ounce) package (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 grams) confectioners' sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup (64 grams) tahini
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 13x9-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ¼ cup (36 grams) sesame seeds, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon (3 grams) salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, 1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, and whisk just until combined. Stir in banana until smooth. Spoon batter into prepared pan, smoothing top.
- Bake until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla, and remaining ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt, and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute. Spread three-fourths of frosting onto cake, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Add tahini to remaining frosting in bowl, and beat at medium speed until smooth. Dollop tahini frosting over plain frosting, and using the blade of a table knife, swirl frostings together. Cut into squares to serve.
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