BiBs Unveiled: Banana Cakes

Every week, ICM trainers bring training and fun into ultrapoor communities all over Mindanao and the Visayas. Product creation is one aspect of the training. Participants take a look at thirty product options and vote to pick the five most popular products. This ensures that the products we teach will be well-received in different areas. One of the most popular products is banana cakes! These sweet treats make a great snack at any time of the day, so it’s no wonder our participants want to learn how to make them. Participants have the opportunity to take out Business-in-a-Box loans, all the raw materials needed to make a certain product for a week. This gives them the chance to start their own business and earn an income! You can make them as well! This can be a fun project to do on a free afternoon. See if your friends and family (or just you…) like these snacks as much as the people in our communities! If you don’t want your banana cakes to be too sweet, feel free to cut the amount of sugar in half.

¼ kg (2 cups) all-purpose flour ¼ kg (2 cups) very ripe banana ¼ kg (2 cups) refined sugar 1 Tbsp. Vanilla extract 1 egg 1 Tbsp baking powder or baking soda 1 cake pan 1 cup oil or butter In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder/soda. Mix well. Mix the egg with the butter/oil and gradually add the sugar. Pour into the dry mixture, add vanilla, and mix well. Add the mashed bananas and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into the pan Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked (poke with a fork or toothpick and see if it comes out clean).

ICM participants usually don’t have ovens, so they will most often steam the banana cakes. If you have a steamer, then go ahead and try it! Just divide the batter into little plastic cups and steam them until cooked. You can experience snack-making just like our our participants! Making and selling banana cakes has helped countless women add to their income and help their families in their fight against poverty. A true snack for a cause.