Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Classic Banana Bundt Cake (TWD)

I think this week's TWD recipe, Classic Banana Bundt Cake, is one the best banana bread/cake recipes that I've ever made. I know, it's a pretty bold statement, isn't it? I have made this recipe numerous times since I've gotten my hands on Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From My Home To Yours, and this banana cake has never failed me. To me, what makes this recipe fantastic is the simplicity of the ingredients and instructions. In no time, you are rewarded with a comforting treat that you can have with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.

I had originally intended on sharing with you a photo of the full bundt cake, but the top photo was the best I could do. Why, you ask? This was the reason...I had absolutely no patience, and I ended up cutting a generous hunk and devoured it before I had a chance to take pictures. :(
If you've had this cake before, you will understand why I couldn't wait to eat it. The cake is tender and moist, and it is chock full of banana flavor.

This time around, I tried topping the bundt with a glaze mentioned in the book. It didn't do much for taste or presentation, so I ended up frosting the cake with a bittersweet chocolate ganache and then topping it with bittersweet mini-chips. (That's why you see the white glaze drizzled down the sides of the cake along with the chocolate ganache.)

A huge shout out to my homegirl Mary of The Food Librarian for a fantastic pick this week. Mary is a fantastic baker and blogger, fellow Angelino, UCLA Bruin, ...in another word, she ROCKS!
You have to make this cake! For the recipe, you can find it at Mary's blog, or you can find a half-batch version for cupcakes at Dorie Greenspan's blog. I've made this recipe into cupcakes here, which was met with great success.

I know that my fellow TWD bakers were all over this recipe, so make sure to visit the TWD blogroll to see more of this absolutely delicious cake.

Now, you'll have to excuse me as I indulge with another piece of cake...

37 comments:

Engineer Baker said...

Wow, that looks absolutely fantastic! I definitely need to try the chocolate on top next time.

Cristine said...

Holy moly, you took it over the top! :) Looks amazing!

Snooky doodle said...

ohh I don t blame you for the big cut off piece. I would have done the same :) this looks delicious and I think the choolate makes it even more so :) the cupcakes were yummy too .

The Food Librarian said...

This is sooo pretty! Where the heck did you get mini bittersweet chips?! Those sound fantastic.

Thanks for baking along with me! I can't wait to make your choice soon!!! Goooo Bruins! - mary the food librarian

Pamela said...

Well, it's only 8:11 in the morning and now I am seriously craving a slice of your cake! That topping is awesome looking! And where did you get that cake plate?? So cute!!

Amanda said...

Wow fabulous presentation!! Love the way the ganache looks. We loved this cake so much I have received several requests to make it again. Will make a great snack cake for back to school!

Natalie said...

looks amazing! i'm loving those mini chips!

chocolatechic said...

Gorgeous.

Can you believe that I didn't add any chocolate to mine?

Steph said...

That is gorgeous! The prettiest bundt I've seen!

grace said...

yeah, yeah, banana bundt cake is good. however, your chocolate topped banana bundt cake is clearly far superior and beautifully done. bravo.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Wow, you've really convinced me that I need to give this recipe a try! LOL, the kids and I seriously struggle waiting for anything to cool down, too!
~ingrid

Jennifer said...

I need to wipe the drool off of my keyboard. HOLY COW that looks delicious!!!!!!

betty geek said...

No, go Cal Bears!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

You sure need a nice makeover on this banana cake. It looks like a supermodel on the runway.

Unknown said...

Your cake is absolutely gorgeous and I love the orange ribbon on your cake stand :) I contemplated adding some chocolate chips to the bundt cake but I think your idea for a chocolate ganache was even better!

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

Chocolate ganche frosting would really be a fine match for this cake. I hadn't made this before, but now that I have I am as big a fan of this cake as you are.

Jennifer said...

Yours looks STUNNING!!!!!!!!! I just used confectioners sugar on mine but I plan to do a chocolate ganache next time!

Anonymous said...

Your cake looks wonderful. The chocolate ganache and chocolate chips are a great idea!

iheartdessert said...

looks great! i've been looking all over for a cake stand like yours! do you mind telling me where you bought it from?

Hindy said...

You've got to love a woman who can't even wait to photograph her own cake before eating it! Well done.

Isabelle Lambert said...

chocolat et bananes ont toujours été d'une bonne association ! Tes photos sont super belles :)

Rachel said...

Oh my as if the mini chips weren't enough you had to go and add that adorable orange ribbon too! I think my screen might explode from the cuteness! PS It's a rare day that I don't ruin a photo op by digging in too quickly...sigh. Yours still looks great though!

margot said...

My goodness, that chocolate ganache looks amazing! I don't blame you for cutting into it right away, I had to take a cake-break as I looked at all the wonderful banana cakes this week.

Marthe said...

Pretty!!! I liked this one a lot!

Teanna said...

Oh my god those pictures belong in a cookbook somewhere! That topping is unreal! And I love your cake stand!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

omg--that looks sooo good. i wouldn't have been able to resist cutting a big chunk out myself!

ps: amazon sells 6-cup bundts...just beware of the cheapie ones, they are usually the flimsy, lighter-weight ones.

Anonymous said...

Ooh...your cake looks fab with the chocolate icing and choc chips. Great idea!

Sihan said...

where did you get that tier from? it's so lovely with the dotted ribbon sewened thru. and the cakes look spectacular as usual. wonderful.

TeaLady said...

is it too soon to make it again?? This was a great, moist, tasty banananananna cake.

Yours looks scrumptious with the chocolate covering.

Katie said...

That looks delicious! I love the way banana looks in a cake, all grainy and dark, and that combined with the chocolate icing - YUM!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I thought this banana bundt cake was delicious just on its own. Now I have to make it again with a bittersweet chocolate glaze!

vibi said...

This has to be the most beautiful I've seen up to now!

And with the addition of chocolate... phew... deadly!

Mermaid Sews said...

Wow, this is stunning, love the cake plate too, nicely done.

Rachelle S said...

I love the chips added to the top! How pretty!

Talita said...

Your banana bundt is the best banana bundt that I ever seen! Really delicious!

Anonymous said...

Amazing photography!
Love your blog =)

Jenniffer said...

Wow! How cute! I just found your blog and read your bio. I was in your shoes once - corporate drone longing to do something more, something that I was REALLY passionate about. My advice? Get all the experience you can, get all the information you can about food safety laws in your area, and live as frugally as possible. Every cent in that nest egg is one more cent closer to living your dream!

Your cakes look yummy and your photography skills are spot on! Keep up the excellent work!

-Jenniffer
http://cupadeecakes.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

YUM! That looks amazing! I am a big fan of adding chocolate to all things made with Banana, so this is right up my alley! Thanks!

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