Cake recipe calls for food processor but I don't have one?!

[LiquoriceWheel]

I've just purchased a beautiful stand mixer but lots of beginner cake recipes seem to call for food processors a lot.

Can I still use my stand mixer? When the recipe says to 'pulse' ingredients can I just turn the mixer on and off or will this wreck the 'anatomy' of the cake? Please advise me, master bakers!

[MrsOverTheRoad]

I just use a wooden spoon or whisk and always have! I've been making cakes for 30 years and never used a food processor.

What recipe are you looking at at the moment?

[StylishDuck]

I've never used a food processor for cakes. Either hand mix or use an electric whisk. I'm jealous of your stand mixer. As soon as I have a kitchen big enough I'm buying one.

[PickAChew]

If it's flour and butter or similar, then it probably just needs rubbing in.

www.bbc.co.uk/food/techniques/rubbing_in

[Ameliablue]

What are you trying to make?

[Honkyzeke]

Always just use my stand mixer for cakes, never needed a food processor for cakes not really sure why you would. What particular recipe are you looking at?

[LiquoriceWheel]

Thanks for the replies. I'm making a banana cake. I'll be using a blender to purée the bananas.

[Eminybob]

I find that the more the bananas are mashed/puréed, the heavier the cake is.
I chop the bananas into tiny dice rather than mash, it makes for a much lighter cake.

[Eminybob]

Oh and I just hand mix with a wooden spoon.

[pengymum]

I'd just use the mixer to mash up the bananas. Less washing up! No need to use separate Blender. Then I add the rest of ingredients and mix gently. Not too much as cake will be heavy if overmixed. Make sure your butter is soft not hard though otherwise it won't mix properly. Unless you're using oil! 😀

[Ameliablue]

You shouldn't need a processor for a banana cake. The stand mixer should be sufficient.

[StylishDuck]

I just give the banana a quick mash with a fork and then add it in using the mixer or a wooden spoon. No need to faff about with a blender, less washing up xx

[StylishDuck]

Didn't mean to put kisses MN faux pas there!

[FlukeSkyeRunner]

A potato masher does wonders with a banana - much easier than mashing with a fork.