Chocolate Banana Cake with Tahini, Miso and Walnut

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 150⁰C/300F. Grease and line the base and sides of two 20cm/8” cake tins
2. To make the cake, melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into a bowl.
4. Cream together the butter, sugars and vanilla bean paste in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until pale and light. Scrape down the sides intermittently.
5. Turn the mixer down and add one egg and a tablespoon of the flour mixture. Repeat with the remaining eggs, adding one tablespoon of flour with each addition.
6. Add the rest of the flour mixture and mix on low briefly.
7. Add the melted chocolate, mashed banana and milk. Mix on low until combined.
8. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins.
9. Bake for approximately 40–45 mins until springy to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. To make the tahini dark ganache, place the chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream, sugar and tahini in a small saucepan until just below simmering. Pour over the chocolate and shake the bowl gently. Leave for one minute before stirring with a spatula until the chocolate has melted. Add the butter and stir again until a smooth ganache is achieved. Cover the surface with cling film and leave to cool until the ganache is a spreadable consistency.
11. To make the miso caramel, place the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat on medium, swirling intermittently until the caramel turns a golden brown colour. Take care not to let it burn. Add the cream and stir, take care as the caramel will bubble and spit. With a sugar thermometer continue to heat the caramel stirring until it reaches a temperature of 180⁰C/225F. Remove from the heat and add the butter in cubes, stirring to combine. Add the miso and stir again. Place the caramel in the fridge to cool.
12. To make the walnut praline, chop the nuts an toast in the heated oven for 5–10 mins. Heat the sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat until dissolved. Continue to heat, swirling gently, until the sugar has turned to a caramel colour. Add the nuts and stir with a spatula to coat. Quickly scrape the nut praline out onto a piece of baking paper and leave to cool. Break up the praline in a small blender or pestle and mortar.
13. To assemble, level each cake if required by trimming off the tops. Place one cake layer on a cake board or plate. Spread ½ of the tahini ganache on top. Spread 4–5 tablespoons of miso caramel in the centre and sprinkle over most of the walnut praline. Invert the next cake layer on top. Spread the remaining ganache over the top and sprinkle the remaining praline around the edges.