Monthly Archives: October 2013

Bundt Cakes

Coca-Cola Bundt Cake from Baked

Coca-Cola Bundt Cake from Baked

Why do I like to bake Bundt Cakes?  For two reasons, really.  The only decoration a Bundt Cake needs is a dusting of confectioner’s sugar or a glaze (and since decorating/frosting cakes is not my forte, this is a big deal for me).  More importantly though, Bundt Cakes are delicious.

What is a Bundt Cake?  It may be a bit of a circular definition, but a Bundt Cake is a cake baked in a Bundt Pan.  A Bundt Pan is a tube pan with curved, fluted sides.  And to add to the fun, Bundt Pans are also available in whimsical shapes – castles, flowers, pumpkins, etc.

Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan from Nordic Ware

Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan from Nordic Ware

There are plenty of us Bundt Cake fans.  Nordic Ware, the company that trademarked Bundt Pans, has sold about 60 million of these pans to date.

Corner Bakery Cafe's Bundt Cake

Gingerbread Pumpkin Baby Bundt Cake from the Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Café is a nationwide chain of cafes offering breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, pastas, soups, and of real interest to me, baked goods.  Ric Scicchitano, the Senior VP of Food & Beverage at Corner Bakery Café said that his company has been offering Bundt Cakes for over 20 years.  Chocolate Bundt Cakes are the best sellers.  When I asked if Corner Bakery Café has plans to add other Bundt Cakes to their menu, Mr. Scicchitano noted:

“We always have our Chocolate Bundts, but we change up our other Bundt Cakes on a seasonal basis.  Our Gingerbread Pumpkin Bundt is a guest favorite that people look forward to every fall and our new Strawberry Bundt was a big hit over the summer.  Other seasonal flavors include: Lemon; Caramel; Chocolate Cherry; and Banana.”

A Birthday Bundt Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes

A Birthday Bundt Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes

Even though Bundt Cakes are popular, I’m still a little surprised that a bakery chain, Nothing Bundt Cakes, bakes and sells only Bundt Cakes. These are special occasion cakes – iced with a thick frosting in a petal shape.  All of the cakes are highly decorated; birthday cakes may sport mini birthday hats, flower decorations, etc.

Bundt Pan Trivia:

Bundt Pan sales took off after the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest.  That year, the second prize was awarded to a “Tunnel of Fudge” Bundt Cake – a chocolate cake with a gooey fudge center.  See the posting on Baking Contests.

I’ll be baking Bundt Cakes for the holidays!

Tagged , , ,

Maple Desserts

Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup

With fall upon us, my thoughts turn to…..leaves turning?  No, not really.  Pumpkin picking?  Maybe for some.  Brisk walks?  Yes, but….Maple syrup in desserts?  A resounding “yes!”

Real maple syrup is a bit of a luxury (but, boy is it worth it!).  It takes more than 40 gallons of maple tree sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.  To make maple syrup, you boil the sap.

Maple syrup is versatile.  It pairs beautifully with walnuts, pears, pecans, chocolate, bananas, apples, and bacon.  Bacon?

Maple Bacon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes

Maple Bacon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes

Capitalizing on the apparently still strong bacon in desserts trend, for a limited time, Sprinkles Cupcakes offered a Maple Bacon Cupcake.  Bacon was woven into a Madagascar vanilla cake and the cake was topped with a maple cream cheese frosting.  Perched atop the frosting were bacon crumbles and fleur de sel (high-end sea salt).

Chuao Chocolatier's Maple Bacon Bar

Chuao Chocolatier’s Maple Bacon Bar

Interested in maple plus bacon plus chocolate?  Chuao Chocolatier debuted a Maple Bacon Bar in 2012.  According to the company, it’s about the chocolate first and foremost.

For those looking to avoid meat products in their maple treats, there are plenty of options.

Georgetown Cupcake's Maple Cupcake

Georgetown Cupcake’s Maple Cupcake

On Tuesdays, Georgetown Cupcake offers a Maple Cupcake.  It packs a double maple punch.  The cake is maple and it’s topped with a maple infused cream cheese frosting.  And it’s decorated with fondant (sugar paste) in the shape of a maple leaf.   The owners, Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne were inspired by the fall season and changing leaves.

Maple Walnut Ice Cream from Molly Moo's Homemade Ice Cream

Maple Walnut Ice Cream from Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream

And if you’re more of an ice cream fan, fear not.  Maple Walnut is so popular it’s one of the ten “always” flavors at Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Illustrating that the maple chocolate combination isn’t new, Vosges Haut Chocolate has been offering Maple Caramels for about five years.  And Vosges indicates that these caramels are popular.

When I’m not indulging in maple desserts, I still enjoy the taste of maple – it sure livens up breakfast oatmeal.

Tagged , , , ,