Banana Bundt Cake

As you may have already guessed by reading this blog; is that I love to bake. Yet, I never share the really simple recipes that my family and friends love.

For example, this bundt cake is utterly moist and full of banana flavor. It will last forever in the fridge without drying out. I love it warm with a glass of soy milk or cold with a cup of hot coffee.

Despite how much I heart bundt cakes, I have only posted one bundt cake recipe so far. Shame on me. Especially since they always bring a smile to my face.

Every single time I bake a bundt cake I think about my mom and a particular scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". My mom loves-loves bundt cakes. To her a bundt cake is "real cake". No fancy icings to hide a bland, dry, and over priced cake. I guess you can say, bundt cakes are the "salt of the earth" cakes.

For me, bundt cake recipes are reliable, honestly delicious, large enough to share and show kindness with a slice. Just like my mom's love.

Print Recipe: Banana Bundt Cake
One Year Ago:Fruit Financiers

Applesauce-Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Awhile back, okay weeks, I bought a jar of applesauce. I was intent on making apple cupcakes, I think. I was always too busy or not in the mood for cupcakes. (On a side note: I know I have not baked cupcakes for awhile. The reason is, I know longer have co-workers. No, do not worry. I have decided to take a sabbatical before I pursue a job that actually relates to what I am currently going to school for.) However, I digress. The jar of applesauce has been staring at me for weeks. Every single time I went into my baking pantry I could feel it looking at me. I could feel its need to be baked into something glorious. Well, I hope I have appeased my apple friend.

I was drawn to this recipe because it called for black pepper. Yep, black pepper in cake. Some how the black pepper gives the cake a certain spicy kick. It seems to “wake up” the apples. It is a really good holiday cake. I can picture it now …eggnog, hot toddies, champagne, Christmas music, and my family enjoying this wonderful cake. Can you envision it? Happy Holidays~Gigi

Applesauce-Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
from Food and Wine December 2007

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup vegetable oil
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
One 12-ounce bag semisweet-chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, cloves and pepper. Whisk in the applesauce, eggs, oil and melted butter. Stir in the chocolate chips.
2. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached.
3. Transfer to a rack and let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then invert it onto the rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.