Name: 'Bunny Chow' Banana Bread Dessert
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 9
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 3-4 very ripe bananas (lightly mashed); 3/4 cup brown sugar (lightly packed); ¼ cup vegetable oil; ½ cup sour cream (or plain yogurt); 2 large eggs, beaten; 1½ cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon salt; vanilla ice cream (Kawartha Dairy is my favourite); dark chocolate, melted (Lindt is my favourite 70% cocoa)

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If you’re South African, or have spent any time in South Africa then you’ll know what a Bunny Chow is! And for everyone else it’s a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with tasty curry. It was created in Durban, which is home to a large Indian community that brought the dish to life and is still a popular meal in many Indian restaurants throughout South Africa. It’s completely basic and absolutely delicious! I highly recommend sharing a dish when you plan your next visit to South Africa. 😉

Better yet, you need to hit my favourite cafe with their adorable sweet version of a Bunny Chow Banana Bread dessert. The center of the banana bread is dug out then filled with ice cream and loaded with dark chocolate and nuts. It’s not too sweet but hits just about every explosion of tastes that you want, and is a perfect pairing for one of their hot beverages (tea or coffee, I normally take a flat white with this dessert).

Honest Chocolate is located in the City Center in Cape Town and I can’t stress enough that this is a must visit. Seriously, they have everything that you ever wanted in a cafe, plus they have a hidden gin bar in the back patio area, yup you heard me!

I’ve been missing Honest Chocolate and their yummy treats, so I thought since I can’t just pop over and grab a sweet that I’d bring the sweets to me!! I think I did a pretty darn good job if you ask me!

I created a richer version of my original banana muffins, baked them in some fancy cups and then, well followed exactly what Honestly Chocolate does (minus the nuts). Then I loaded up the banana bread with (my favourite) Kawartha Dairy ice cream and drizzled 70% cocoa Lindt chocolate on top. The results… perfection my friends!!!! You have to make this once in your life, you will not be disappointed I promise!

I’ve been very excited to share this recipe with all of you, so please tell me what you think of the recipe in the comments.

Happy Bunny Chow’n 😉

‘Bunny Chow’ Banana Bread Dessert

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This dessert is a sweet version of a South African Bunny Chow. It has a light and not too sweet banana bread that is dug out and filled with vanilla ice cream. Then it’s loaded with dark chocolate and topped with nuts. An explosion of flavours that pair so lovely together! Inspired by bakery/cafe Honest Chocolate in South Africa, Cape Town

Author: Alie Romano
Prep Time: 35 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 9 1x
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: South African

Ingredients

Units Scale

3–4 very ripe bananas (lightly mashed)
3/4 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

vanilla ice cream (Kawartha Dairy is my favourite)
dark chocolate, melted (Lindt is my favourite 70% cocoa)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a muffin tin with baking paper cups and set aside.
In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and eggs. Mix by hand just until ingredients are combined (don’t overmix).
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Mix well. Add to the banana mixture, and mix until just combined (don’t overmix, it’s okay if you see a few lumps).
Spoon the batter ¾ full into the muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes or until the tops are brown and the middle is set when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
Using a paring knife, cut a cylinder shape out of the middle of each muffin. Add a scoop of ice cream into the centre of the hole (so it melts into the middle of the muffin). Top with melted chocolate and enjoy right away.