Prepare to enchant your guests with a truly exquisite dessert: Cocoa Banana Sultan's Delight! This rich and decadent twist on the classic Turkish "Sadrazam Lokumu" (Grand Vizier's Delight) features a tender, cocoa-infused cake embracing a creamy filling and fresh bananas. A delightful departure from the traditional, this version is a chocolate lover's dream and will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance to any gathering.

Ingredients for the Cocoa Cake:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (approximately 10 grams) baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 packet (approximately 5 grams) vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Creamy Filling:

  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

For Coating:

  • Milk (for dipping)
  • Shredded coconut
  • Optional: Extra cocoa powder for dusting

How to Make Cocoa Banana Sultan's Delight:

1. Prepare the Cocoa Cake:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the 3 eggs and 1 cup of granulated sugar using an electric mixer for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually add the 1 cup of lukewarm water while continuing to mix on low speed.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the 1 ½ cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 packet of baking powder, and 1 packet of vanilla extract.
  • Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a non-metallic spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake tough.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the cake batter evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

2. Make the Creamy Filling:

  • In a small saucepan, whisk together the 3 cups of milk, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of flour, and 1 cup of granulated sugar.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
  • Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the custard cool completely. This is crucial for easy assembly.

3. Assemble the Sultan's Delight:

  • While the cake is still warm, carefully roll it up tightly from the short end, along with the parchment paper. This will help it maintain its rolled shape. Let the rolled cake cool completely.
  • Once cooled, unroll the cake and carefully slice it lengthwise into two equal pieces.
  • Spread the cooled creamy filling evenly over one of the cake halves.
  • Arrange peeled bananas along the length of the filled cake half.
  • Carefully roll the cake back up tightly, encasing the bananas and the creamy filling.
  • Wrap the rolled cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up.

4. Coat the Delights:

  • Once chilled, remove the rolled cake from the refrigerator and slice it into individual portions.
  • Dip each slice briefly in milk.
  • Immediately roll the milk-dipped slice in shredded coconut, ensuring it's fully coated.
  • For an extra touch of cocoa flavor, you can lightly dust the coconut-coated lokums with cocoa powder.
  • Refrigerate the coated Cocoa Banana Sultan's Delights for at least another hour before serving.

Serve and Enjoy!

Your delectable Cocoa Banana Sultan's Delight is now ready to be served! Perfect for afternoon tea, special occasions, or whenever you crave a unique and satisfying sweet treat. The combination of the moist cocoa cake, creamy filling, and fresh bananas, all coated in sweet coconut, is simply irresistible. Afiyet Olsun! (Enjoy your meal!)