Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake

The other day I asked my friend what food should I wave in front of her in case she falls into a coma. You know, just regular lunch time conversation. Hey, come on, it can happen...look at soap operas!

She instructed me to wave little squares of Scharffen Berger chocolate in front of her.

Dear friends, please take note. Please present the following to me should I have a medical emergency (Treats listed in no particular order):

a. Fresh lemon tartlets
b. Mochi (especially kinako and pink with white beans)
c. Wasabi mashed potato salad from Delica in San Francisco (I also think the powerful smell of wasabi might help wake me too)
d. Carnitas burritos. Hello, wouldn't you wake up for this?
e. Pumpkin bread
f. Kettle Corn (only made a Farmer's Market, not from the store. Dude, I'm in a coma and only want the best :)
g. This Gingerbread Apple-Upside Cake

Nancy of The Dogs Eat the Crumbs mentioned this cake to me and she had me at Ginger. I'm all about the Ginger. And Apples. And Cakes without Frosting. And Cakes that are upside down.

I found that Smitten Kitchen adapted the recipe. She cut the molasses and added honey in the cake, and caramelized the sugar for the topping. I just cut the molasses some, but followed her technique for the topping. That change added a really nice caramel flavor to the apples.

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
After pouring the brown sugar/butter topping on the bottom of the pan, Fuji apples were placed on top.

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
This has a LOT of batter. The recipe calls for a 10" pan. I baked it in a 9 x 3 inch pan, and I think it would go way up to the top (if not overflow) a 9 x 2 inch pan. So, if you don't have the recommended 10" pan and use a 9 x 2, I wouldn't add all the batter (make a little mini cake to go along with this cake!)

I actually made it twice. The first time I put it into a 10" cast iron skillet, added all the batter and it way, way overflowed. Luckily I had some foil under the skillet!

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
Because I was using a 9" pan, I had to bake it a lot longer than the recipe...65 minutes.

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
This cake is delicious! It takes like fall on a plate. I loved the gingerbread cake so much I could just eat that without the apples...but that would be silly because the apples rock it too.

Recipe:
My adaptation - click here for printable recipe
Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake
Adapted from Karen Bates at the Philo Apple Farm via the New York Times (published: October 27, 2009) and Adapted from Smitten Kitchen's Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake (blog post: Monday, November 23, 2009)

Topping
2 tablespoons butter, plus extra for greasing pan (This is different than NY Times and Smitten Kitchen's versions)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
Pinch of salt
4 apples (about 1 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch wedges

Batter
1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2/3 cup molasses (This is less than NY Times version)
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Note: This has a LOT of batter. The recipe calls for a 10" pan. I baked it in a 9 x 3 inch pan, and I think it would go way up to the top (and might overflow) a 9 x 2 inch pan. So, if you don't have the recommended 10" pan and use a 9 x 2, I wouldn't add all the batter (make a little mini cake to go along with this cake!)

Make the topping: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 10-inch cake pan (I used a 9" x 3 cake pan). Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add brown sugar and simmer over moderate heat, stirring until thick. I forgot to add the salt but Smitten Kitchen says to swirl it in. The New York Times recipe doesn't caramelize the sugar and butter in a pot; I really liked the nice caramel flavor. Remove from heat and pour into the bottom of your cake pan. Make circles of overlapping apple slices on top of the caramel.

Make the batter: Using a mixer with paddle attachment, beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and the sugar on medium-low speed. Increase the speed to high and cream until light and fluffy.

In a bowl, whisk together the egg, molasses, honey and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon. Alternate mixing the flour and molasses mixtures into the butter mixture, adding the next once the last has been incorporated.

Pour the batter into the pan. New York Times says to bake for 45 to 50 minutes (in a 10" pan) or until a wooden tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (It took me 65 minutes in a 9 x 3" pan.) Let cool on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a platter.

NY Times suggests serving warm or cool with very softly whipped cream. (I didn't top it with anything...and it was still delicious!!!)

You may be interested in:
Smitten Kitchen's recipe (adapted from NY Times)
New York Times recipe ("Ginger-Apple Upside-Down Cake" Adapted from Karen Bates at the Philo Apple Farm, Published: October 27, 2009)
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New School of Cooking - Pro Baking 1 - Class 5: Chocolate

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Brown Sugar Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting

I'm taking the Pro Baking 1 series at the New School of Cooking in Culver City (Los Angeles) this fall/winter. For Class 5, it was all about the Chocolate! As you can imagine, no one was absent from class! :)

We learned about cacao seeds, nibs, and the history of chocolate. We had a chocolate tasting with a bunch of Tasting Chocolates (these are expensive and NOT for baking). My favorites were the single origin chocolates of Michel Cluizel. These chocolates are made from a single plantation, not a combination of many growers.

Hint: The Trader Joe's Pound Plus blocks of chocolate are repackaged high end chocolate from Belgium. Get it. It's yum and way way cheaper. (By the way, you can usually find this chocolate above the freezer and near the little boxes of mini peanut butter cups and chocolate covered sunflower seeds, it is not in the baking section)

New School of Cooking - Chocolate Class New School of Cooking - Chocolate Class
We made brown sugar chocolate cupcakes (made with Dutch-processed cocoa) and had a selection of frostings and toppings. So-called "Buttercream" (next week we'll make an Italian Meringue Buttercream - the real buttercream): Vanilla and Chocolate, and a chocolate gananche. We used jumbo cupcake holders to hold a nice topping of ganache.

New School of Cooking - Chocolate Class

New School of Cooking - Chocolate Class
Chef Carol, our instructor, also demonstrated making a Chocolate Decadence Cake or Flourless Chocolate Cake with a mound of chocolate ganache. The white lines are a combo of powdered sugar and heavy cream. You need heavy cream so you made the texture of the ganache...if you used milk, it would harden.

New School of Cooking - Chocolate Class
The next day, I practiced by making the cupcakes again and frosted them with some cream cheese frosting (just for you @justjennrecipes!) The little balls? Those are delicious Valrhona Crunchy 55% Chocolate Pearls (available at Surfas)

Recaps of the New School of Cooking, Pro Baking 1 course:
Baking Therapy: Going back to school
Class 1: Quick Breads
Class 2: Custards
Class 3: Soufflés & Pate a Choux
Class 4: Tarts, Pie, Crisps and Cobblers
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Los Angeles Times Upside-Down Meyer Lemon Cake

Friday, January 8, 2010

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

The Los Angeles Times Food Section is opening its vault and has the Top 10 recipes of the past 25 years on the website. See the listing here. Earlier, I made the Cafe Beaujolais' Buttermilk-Cinnamon Coffeecake from 1985.

And the LA Times Food Section will be moving to Thursday (from Wednesday). This will be tough! The Wednesday Food Section is such a "hump day" treat...oh well, it used to be on Thursday and it's going back. I know the Los Angeles Times staff has taken a beating in this economic climate...I can't imagine life without the LA Times, especially the Food Section. I've been reading the paper forever...and will run out to the driveway on Thursdays now to grab the Food Section. Thanks LA Times Food Section and @latimesfood for all the great recipes and articles!

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
My dad has a lovely Meyer Lemon tree. It's old, short and stout. Hum, that kinda sounds like my dad too. :) Anyway, when I saw the Upside-Down Lemon Cake on the LA Times website, I knew I had to use my dad's Meyer lemons.

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
I just bought a new cast iron pan for the TWD Tarte Tatin, and was happy to use it again! A layer of brown sugar and butter is topped with the lemon slices. Then a cake batter is cooked on top.
Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Although difficult to cut because of the rind (make sure you use a sharp knife), this was a fan favorite at the library. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Check out the other LA Times favorites over the years here: Opening the vault: 25 years of our best recipes. This recipe was part of: Top 10 recipes of 2007

Recipe:
Lemon Upside-Down Cake
From Los Angeles Times test kitchen director Donna Deane. Published March 14, 2007.

From the article (Hello, I'm a librarian and had to get the citation :)
Blingtime for lemons; Let this season's precious fewer fruits sparkle and shine in desserts that make the most of every sweet-tart bit of golden citrus. Susan LaTempa, Donna Deane. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Mar 14, 2007. pg. F.3

Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Printable recipe here or on Los Angeles Times

4 small lemons (about 4 ounces each) - I used Meyer lemons
One-half cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) butter, divided
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 vanilla bean, split - I used 1 tablespoon of vanilla paste instead
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.

2. Cut 3 of the lemons into one-eighth inch thick slices. (I ended up using 4 smaller Meyer lemons) Remove seeds and set aside. You will have about 30 lemon slices. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon peel from the remaining lemon. Set aside the grated peel; save the lemon for another use.

3. Heat 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet or an ovenproof 10-inch saute pan until melted. Brush the sides of skillet with a little of the melted butter. Add the brown sugar, stir until it is moistened with the butter and spread it into an even layer. Arrange the lemon slices, slightly overlapping, to cover the bottom of the skillet. Set aside.

4. Cut the remaining 6 tablespoons butter into a mixing bowl. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean with the point of a knife onto the butter. (I used 1 Tablespoon of vanilla paste). Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until creamy. Add the sugar and grated lemon peel and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

5. Add half the flour mixture and beat until blended. Add milk and beat until combined, then add the remaining flour mixture and beat until blended.

6. Spread the batter over the lemons in the skillet to cover evenly. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and the center tests done. Let the cake stand 5 minutes, then invert the skillet onto a platter. To serve, slice into wedges with a sharp knife. (It is difficult to cut so make sure your knife is sharp to get through the rind).
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Tofu Burger made with House Tofu Burger Patty Mushroom Mix

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
House brand Tofu Burger Patty Mushroom Mix

Folding tables at the end of aisle drive me crazy.
By crazy, I mean they make me throw additional stuff in my cart.

One of my local Asian grocery stores always has someone giving away free samples. And this isn’t just a little nut-cup filled with 1/4 of an Almond Roca like at Costco. These ladies cook.

So, one day I happened upon a nice lady handing out hot, cute little tofu patties. She was hawking the Japanese House brand Tofu Burger Mix. And I was buying.

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
Here is the package. The cover is in Japanese, but the back has a sticker in English with the ingredients, nutritional value and directions.

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
First, this is NOT a vegetarian or vegan product. It contains wheat, egg & milk products, dried bonito flakes, dried spices and, of course, a bit of MSG. Dried Bonito flakes are a staple in the Japanese kitchen – it is used to make dashi or soup stock that you find as the base of miso soup.

I’m sure you could make something similar with your own spices, but darn it, it is sometimes very nice to just open a packet to help you along. I don’t see this product on their House Food America page...but I know they have a different House Tofu Patty Mix (all in English I believe).

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
Take a block of extra-firm or firm tofu. Of course, House suggests their own brand of tofu (12 oz), but I happened to have an organic Tofu from Trader Joe’s (19 oz) in the fridge. As Esi says, I am a Trader Joe-aholic and I’m not quitting.

Drain the tofu. If you want, you can squeeze it in cheesecloth or press it between paper towels or a dish towel. I pushed it against this strainer. Add the House mix to the tofu and mash and stir. As you can see, there are a lot of Panko breadcrumbs in this mix and dehydrated spices.

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
Form into patties. You can make 4 patties from the mix. I made two large patties and a series of mini patties because I’m all about the mini.

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
Cook over medium heat with a dollop of oil. The best part of tofu burgers is that you are just heating it through and don’t have to worry about e-coli. Tofu is also much lower in fat and calories than meat, and has no cholesterol. The mix only adds 40 calories per serving and no fat (4 servings in a packet).

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
I served mine with okonomiyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce but thicker and sweeter) and some pickled ginger.

Tofu Burgers with House Mushroom Tofu Burger Patty Mix
Overall, I liked this mix and it tasted Japanese-y. I really like anything with a fried crust and this patty uses less oil than if you fried up tofu slices. This is a pretty cheap meal too...I don't remember, but I think the mix was $2-3 and tofu is cheap.

When I feel up to it, I’m going to try to make my own with some Panko, green onions, probably an egg and some furikake (Japanese rice seasoning that kids (and food blogging adults) adore).

In the meantime, stand at the end of an aisle, give me something on a toothpick, and I’ll probably buy what you are selling! Cheers, Mary the Food Librarian
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My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Lemon Bundt - Day #25 - I Like Big Bundts

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
Day 25 of I Like Big Bundts: 30 Days of Bundt Cakes
My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Lemon Bundt

If there is any movie moment that everyone identifies with the Bundts...it has got to be My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

It's a Bundt. Boont? BundTT. Bonk?
There's a hole in this cake.

And then the Greek family puts a flower pot in the center.

I Like Big Bundts Logo by JustJenn Designs
Thanks to my friend JustJenn of JustJennDesigns for making the logo!

Today, on Day #25 (five days to go!!!! I feel like I'm on mile 25 of a strange 30 day marathon where you actually GAIN weight going through it...must rethink this exercise campaign soon)... I give you My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Lemon Bundt!

I took the Barefoot Contessa's awesome Lemon Yogurt Cake and bake it up in a 10-cup Bundt. It didn't fill that Bundt pan, so you can make it in a small 6-cup Bundt too. I used 2% plain Greek yogurt instead of her full-fat regular yogurt.

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
I love that this has TWO lemon glazes. Awesomeness.
You pour a warm lemon syrup over the cake while hot...

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
...and then a glaze after it cools.

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
I thought it most appropriate to use my Chrysanthemum Bundt from Nordic Ware for this flower cake! Don't you just love the mini-Gerber daisy?! One of my favorite flowers!

Yeah, yeah. Come back tomorrow for another Bundt. I hope you aren't getting sick of these yet...because I'm close to having H1N1Bundt1. :) No, my love of the Bundt remains strong...I just need a vacation for a few days after National Bundt Day (November 15th)! See you tomorrow!
- mary the food librarian

Recipe:
Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Yogurt Cake
from Food Network

I Like Big Bundts recap:
The Food Librarian confesses: I Like Big Bundts
Day 1: Pumpkin Spice Bundt with Buttermilk Icing
Day 2: Chocolate-Cinnamon Bundt Cake with Mocha Icing
Day 3: Pumpkin-Apple Spiced Bundt
Day 4: Cinnamon Ripple Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 5: Chocolate Zucchini Bundt
Day 6: Cardamom Vanilla Bundt
Day 7: Monkey Bread in a Bundt
Day 8: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt
Day 9: Coconut Bundt
Day 10: Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 11: Mom's Apple Cake Bundt
Day 12: Meyer Lemon Bundt
Day 13: Candy Corn Jello Bundt
Day 14: Spiced Cranberry Bundt
Day 15: Blueberry-Buttermilk Bundt
Day 16: Nutella Bundt
Day 17: Carrot Walnut Bundt
Day 18: Pear Ginger Bundt
Day 19: Persimmon Bundt
Day 20: Banana Chocolate Marble Bundt
Day 21: Martha Stewart Chocolate Bundt
Day 22: Whipped Cream Bundt
Day 23: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bundt
Day 24: Brown Sugar & Chocolate Chip Pound Bundt w/ Maple-Espresso Glaze
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Fuyu Persimmon Bundt from Sunset Magazine - Day #19 - I Like Big Bundts

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
Day 19 of I Like Big Bundts: 30 Days of Bundt Cakes
Fuyu Persimmon Bundt

Ever play Monopoly with children who haven’t read all the directions? (Like who has?) And suddenly, the new rules say they are able to roll twice or buy all the hotels for 50% off?

Well, the I Like Big Bundts project is my Monopoly game and I’m making up the rules! ;)

I decided early on to repeat two Bundts (less than 10% of the total project) because I want to showcase my favorite Bundts. I'm actually baking them again, not just reaching back into the archives...but I couldn't let this Bundterrific extravaganza go by without highlighting my two FAVORITE Bundts ever. Making them again was like visiting an old friend. A delicious friend, that is.

Today, it’s the Fuyu Persimmon Bundt from Sunset Magazine.

Fuyu Persimmons grown in Los Angeles
There are two types of fall’s favorite fruit, the Persimmon. And if you don’t know the difference, it could scar you for life!

1. Fuyu Persimmon – squat, persimmon that CAN be eaten hard, like an apple. I like to peel the skin, but it is edible. Photo above.
2. Hachiya Persimmon – heart shaped persimmon that MUST be totally soft and cannot be eaten hard. If you eat a hachiya before it is soft, it will horribly scar you! You will run from persimmons for the rest of your life, screaming like a little child (I’ve seen it before!). It will taste completely chalky and yucky. So, please don’t confuse the fuyu (eat hard) and the hachiya (eat soft).

I Like Big Bundts Logo by JustJenn Designs
Thanks to my friend JustJenn of JustJennDesigns for making the logo!
I'm making 30 Bundts in 30 days...all leading up to National Bundt Day on November 15th! Are you ready to Bundt?

Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
Most baked persimmon recipes use the hachiya (soft) persimmon, but this one uses firm fuyu persimmons. Containing persimmons, golden raisins, walnuts and lots of fall spices, this is soooo delicious.

Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
This is a classic recipe. Here is my original post from last year. I went back into the library's invaluable collection of Sunset Magazines. First published in the October 1978 issue of Sunset Magazine as "Crisp Persimmon Cake" by E.F. of Palo Alto, CA.

Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
Fall. On. A. Plate.

Persimmon Bundt Cake - I Like Big Bundts
Game #6 of the World Series is tonight. My co-worker says, If the Food Librarian played baseball...she wouldn't hit, she would always Bundt. Ha ha ha. There is your Bundt pun of the day.

Fuyu Persimmons grown in Los Angeles
From my parent's fuyu persimmon tree!

Tomorrow, wouldn't you know it? I'll have another Bundt! :) - mary the food librarian

Recipe:
Fuyu Persimmon Bundt  (Updated 10/2015 - I heard the link is dead so I inserted the recipe below)
from California Fuyu Grower's Association (originally from Sunset Magazine, 1978)

Fuyu Persimmon Bundt Cake Recipe
Adapted from Sunset Magazine. Also appears in Cake Simple by Christie Matheson

Ingredients:
3 cups firm Fuyu persimmons (about 3 persimmons), chopped (NOT Hachiya persimmons)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup or 1 stick or 4 ounces butter, softened
1 2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup walnuts, chopped
3/4 cup raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare 12-cup Bundt pan by spraying it with baking spray or greasing and flouring the pan. (My favorite Bundt pans are Nordic Ware and my favorite baking spray is Bak-Klene brand)
3. Fruit: In a medium bowl, mix the chopped fuyu persimmons with 2 teaspoons baking soda. Set aside.
4. Dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Using a mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
6. With the mixer on slow speed, add the fruit mixture into the batter.
7. On slow speed, add the flour mixture and mix just until blended. It's okay if it's not fully blended as you'll fold the last ingredients next.
8. Fold in the walnuts and raisins. The batter will be thick.
9. Pour batter into Bundt pan. Smooth the top.
10. Bake for 55-60 minutes until the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
11. Cool in the Bundt pan for 15 minutes then invert onto cooling rack and let cool.

I Like Big Bundts recap:
The Food Librarian confesses: I Like Big Bundts
Day 1: Pumpkin Spice Bundt with Buttermilk Icing
Day 2: Chocolate-Cinnamon Bundt Cake with Mocha Icing
Day 3: Pumpkin-Apple Spiced Bundt
Day 4: Cinnamon Ripple Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 5: Chocolate Zucchini Bundt
Day 6: Cardamom Vanilla Bundt
Day 7: Monkey Bread in a Bundt
Day 8: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt
Day 9: Coconut Bundt
Day 10: Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 11: Mom's Apple Cake Bundt
Day 12: Meyer Lemon Bundt
Day 13: Candy Corn Jello Bundt
Day 14: Spiced Cranberry Bundt
Day 15: Blueberry-Buttermilk Bundt
Day 16: Nutella Bundt
Day 17: Carrot Walnut Bundt
Day 18: Pear Ginger Bundt
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Nutella Bundt - Day #16 - I Like Big Bundts

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
Nutella Marble Bundt

I Like Big Bundts Logo by JustJenn Designs
Logo design: JustJenn of JustJennDesigns

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
I saw Michael Jackson's This Is It documentary on Friday and it was really good. The concert would have been awesome. The documentary is very well done, and it breaks your heart to know that the crew and dancers lost their dream too with Michael's passing. They all worked really hard to create an amazing show. My friend, who I literally dragged to the movie, was very impressed too. I highly recommend seeing it in a movie theater because it needs to be, like Michael himself, larger than life. Hurry, it's only in theaters for a couple weeks.

Well, during the movie you catch Michael saying something like, This is why we have rehearsals.

On my project of posting 30 Bundts in 30 days, there ain't time for a dress rehearsal. Thus, my imperfect Nutella Bundt. :)

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
If you Google "Nutella Bundt" you will find a recipe that uses yellow cake mix. Since I'm baking from scratch, here is how I adapted things:

1. Made Martha Stewart's Basic Yellow Cake batter. This makes enough for one 8-inch (one layer) cake and you can multiply it as needed.
2. In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup Nutella with 1 large egg together to loosen the Nutella mixture. Take 1/3 of the yellow cake batter and mix it with the Nutella. This is the Nutella batter you'll swirl into the cake. (Remember, this is enough for a small Bundt...if you were going to use a regular 12-cup Bundt, I would use 3/4 - 1 c Nutella and 1 egg).

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
Because I was using a small Bundt (6-cup), I poured the yellow mix in the pan and scooped the Nutella mix on top of that. Then I took a knife and marbled the two batters together. However, next time, I would lay 1/2 the yellow in the pan, followed by dollops of Nutella batter (using 1/2 the Nutella batter), followed by the remaining yellow and Nutella batter. Finally, a quick swirl with a knife would marble the two layers.

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
I sprayed the non-stick small 6-cup Bundt pan with Pam with Flour, but I still lost the "skin" of the top half of the Bundt. On one hand, though, it does give you a look at the marbling! :)

Nutella Bundt - I Like Big Bundts
Um, I see a guinea pig in this one. Yes, I see things in my Bundts. Oh dear.

I threw some melted chocolate on top (to cover up the missing layer of cake) and I would totally NOT do this again. It was just too sweet. I think a quick glaze of powdered sugar and milk or just a dusting of powdered sugar would work too.

I'm going to work on this one in the "off season" when I've recovered from the Bundt project! :) hee hee.

The countdown is ON, people! Only 14 more days until National Bundt Day! You ready?! Come back tomorrow for another Bundt... - mary the food librarian

Original Recipe:
Basic Yellow Cake
from Martha Stewart Weddings
Added ingredients: Nutella and 1 egg

I Like Big Bundts recap:
The Food Librarian confesses: I Like Big Bundts
Day 1: Pumpkin Spice Bundt with Buttermilk Icing
Day 2: Chocolate-Cinnamon Bundt Cake with Mocha Icing
Day 3: Pumpkin-Apple Spiced Bundt
Day 4: Cinnamon Ripple Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 5: Chocolate Zucchini Bundt
Day 6: Cardamom Vanilla Bundt
Day 7: Monkey Bread in a Bundt
Day 8: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt
Day 9: Coconut Bundt
Day 10: Sweet Potato Bundt
Day 11: Mom's Apple Cake Bundt
Day 12: Meyer Lemon Bundt
Day 13: Candy Corn Jello Bundt
Day 14: Spiced Cranberry Bundt
Day 15: Blueberry-Buttermilk Bundt
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