It's that time again...this week's Tuesday's With Dorie recipe, Black & White Banana Loaf, was selected by Ashlee of A Year In The Kitchen.I'd like to make a confession...when I first purchased BFMHTY last year, this was one of the first recipes that I tried out...and what a disappointment...it was a big disaster! I always thought that breads & cakes made with bananas were always forgiving, but this one decided not to cooperate. I'm not sure what went wrong, but the loaf turned out really dense and gummy in the middle. I ended up throwing out the entire loaf, as it was pretty inedible.
I almost sat this week out, as I wasn't interested in repeating that fiasco again. Still, in the spirit of the group, I decided to give this recipe one more try. I really wanted this try to be a success, as the desciption of this spiced banana-ey loaf marbled with chocolate was too good!! To avoid the gummy mess I created the last time, I used a smaller 8x4x2 loaf pan. As I had some batter left over, I also made four mini loaves. With the smaller pan sizes, I also decreased the baking time --- 50 minutes for the 8x4x2 pan, 17 minutes for the mini loaves. I didn't stray far from the ingredient list. The only exception was the dark rum...as I didn't have in the house, I substituted it with creme de banana liqueur.
So, how does this try compare to my last attempt? This time around, the texture was a huge improvement over the last try, but I have to admit, there was a moistness and a spongy texture that really turned me off (and trust me, these loaves were baked thru and thru). I ended up toasting a slice to "crisp" it up a bit... a little better, but not quite to my liking.
The mini loaves looked adorable, but fell victim to the same texture issue. Maybe it's just me, but this recipe will not cooperate in my hands. I hate to cry uncle, but I won't be repeating this recipe...sorry Dorie, this recipe doesn't do it for me.
Hopefully, my talented fellow bakers fared better than me. To see how they all did, check out the TWD blogroll. If you'd like to try this recipe out, please check out Ashlee's blog.
31 comments:
Oh no!! What a shame.. they sure look good. Maybe the neighbors would like them, lol.
Way to be a trooper!
Beautiful pictures~ I really like the first one!
Too bad about not liking it,,,maybe the ice cream?
Its too bad you didn't like it...it really looks beautiful! The best looking loaf I've seen all day!
-Amy
www.singforyoursupperblog.com
Your loaves look fabulous! Great marbling job! My loaf was also super dense and I wasn't really impressed, although all my taste testers thought it was great. Go figure?
I didn't like the flavor or the texture either.
I threw mine out too.
These turned out beautiful. I had the same spongy texture thing myself.
I gave you an award! http://foodlibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/08/teddy-graham-chocolate-pumpkin.html
- mary
Props for giving it a go another round. Bummer it wasn't your favorite but now you know. Great job nonetheless.
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
They do look beautiful tho. Great Pics! Sorry you don't like the cake/loaf tho'.
This one's not going into my recipe rotation either. Oh well.
The loaves look great..I love the fat striped one in the middle. And yummy big slices, wonderful!!! I did variations and extra chocolate...smaller bananas are def best.
Wow, it's a shame that it didn't work out so well, because those pictures are GORGEOUS!
They look beautiful and you are to be commended for trying the recipe again. Sorry it didn't work out this time either. But they do look so pretty!
The crumb on mine was a bit robust also, but I really liked the way the flavors complemented each other. Yours is so pretty - especially your marbling!
Nancy
Your cakes are absolutely gorgeous! Your description of the texture is spot on with how mine was too though. I liked it well enough, so I think it is just a preference thing. Yours doesn't look at all like it failed, so maybe that textures just not for you. You are a total rock star in my book for giving it another go!
They look delicious, and the marbling is wonderful. I wonder if maybe lowering the amount of eggs or banana would get rid of that texture issue. Worth a try maybe?
Oh well, your pictures always are absolutely gorgeous!!
and your loaf looks like it turned out great, love the marbling!
<3
Sorry the loaf isn't cooperating with you. Your photos, however, are beautiful!
That's a shame! But then again, if a recipe just isn't working for you there's no point in pretending otherwise. Your pictures are lovely though :)
well- they sure as heck LOOK good!!
Yes, I agree completely. Won't do it again. Kudos to you for trying it twice!
Looks delicious.ssc
This one was not one of my favorites either, but your loaves look gorgeous!
I'd say after two good tries you can just scratch this recipe off and move on. They do look lovely.
Kudos for giving this another try. It really is a shame that this recipe wasn't that great, because it has so much potential. Your loaves looked beautiful! That first photo was one of my faves of all I've seen so far.
I love your slices stacked up in the first picture. Your loaf of half chocolate and half white looks cool!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog
Your bread is beautiful! Sorry you didn't care for the flavor/texture.
your marbling is so beautiful!!! sorry you did not enjoy the texture of this but at least you gave it another try!
I'm pretty sure I just gained 10 pounds devouring the stunning photos on your blog!! :-)
Gorgeous pictures! It's too bad this wasn't quite to your liking, but I think it's great that you gave it a second try!
oh i tried it twice too! and the texture doesn't quite do it for me either. Not another attempt for me.
Hope that the Blueberry sour cream icecream went much better for you!
That's too bad really, they look fabulous! It was real cool of you to try it again though. :)
Post a Comment