Chocolate-Banana Snack Cake

Chocolate-Banana Snack Cake(Adapted from CL)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder (used a non dutch-proccess kind)

Preheat oven to 350

To remove some of the excess moisture from the applesauce, place applesauce onto several layers of paper towels and cover with one or two more. Let sit about 5 minutes. Using a spatula, scrape applesauce into a small bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add applesauce and banana, beating until well combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in coffee and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda and salt. Sift cocoa powder in the bowl and whisk to combine. Stir into the creamed mixture just until combined. Scoop batter into an 8" baking pan lined with parchment paper. Smooth the top with an offset spatula.

Bake 25-35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out mostly clean - a few moist crumbs attached is ok. Cool in pan on rack.