Reeni’s Lime Banana Coconut Cake and Q&A

Sit down…  Have a slice of cake!

Believe me, you need to try this delicious Lime Banana Coconut Cake from Reeni @ Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice.  I hosted the Blogger Secret Ingredient challenge two weeks ago, and Reeni’s cake was the winning recipe. In addition to some cute prep bowls and a lime colored cutting board, part of her prize was having her recipe and blog featured here on My Kitchen Addiction.

After making the cake, I decided that I would like to rename it Lime Banana Coconut Coffee Cake, not because the original name was inadequate or because the cake contains coffee, but because in my mind, coffee cake is an acceptable breakfast food.  Growing up, leftover cake as always a no-no for breakfast, but coffee cake… That was a whole different story! My mom would get up early and bake a “coffee” cake, and we were actually allowed to have it for breakfast.

So, now that I have renamed this cake (which I do not really have permission to do), I must tell you that it is an excellent breakfast food!  The flavor of the cake reminded me of a dense, rich homemade banana bread.  The lime glaze and toasted coconut on top were the perfect balance of sweet and sour. I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually taste the lime, banana, and coconut in this cake, too… I often find that when there are multiple star ingredients in a dish (especially cakes/cupcakes/cookies), one ingredient often overpowers the others. Not in this case!

Honestly, this cake would be good any time of the day, but I highly recommend pouring yourself a cup of your favorite coffee and settling in with a big slice of this cake for breakfast!

Q&A with Reeni…

While you enjoy a delicious piece of cake, take some time to check out Reeni’s blog Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice! I have been reading her blog since I started blogging, and it is one of my favorites (if you read my Friday Favorites each week, you have probably already figured that out!).  She is an expert at combining ingredients (as was evident in her cake) and is not afraid to use big bold flavors!

In addition to baking her cake, I thought it would be fun to do a bit of Q&A with Reeni… Keep reading to find out a little more about her and learn about her inspiration in the kitchen!

Q: How long have you been blogging? What made you decide to start a food blog?

A: I’ve been blogging for a little over a year. I came across Gluten-Free Girl‘s blog and knew immediately that I wanted to food blog. I was taking pictures of the food I was eating and growing in my garden already. It seemed natural to take it one step further.

Q: What inspires you most in the kitchen?

A: I find inspiration everywhere! My garden, a specific ingredient that might have said my name at the grocery store, my Mom, a craving, another food blogger, a dish I’ve eaten at a restaurant, something I see on The Food Network or in a magazine. My mood inspires me too!

Q: Do you have a favorite cookbook?

A: One of my favorites is Baking by Flavor by Lisa Yockelson. I haven’t tried any of the recipes but use the flavor compatibility charts all the time. There is a whole chapter on building flavors. I also love Saveur magazine. I can’t bear to part with any and save all of them. Sometimes when I need inspiration I read through back issues.

Q: Of all of the recipes you have posted, which is your favorite?

A: It’s so hard to pick one favorite! If I don’t love it, I don’t post it. Recent favorites are my Espresso Coffee Cake Muffins and Chipotle Cheddar Black Bean burgers.

Special thanks to Reeni for participating in BSI Mission: Lime and letting me feature her here on My Kitchen Addiction!