Nut-Crusted Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake : ABC Jan 2012

This is  my first post in 2012 and also with Avid Baker's Challenge (ABC). ABC is currently baking from "The Weekend Baker" by Abigail Johnson Dodge, also known as Abby Dodge. I have not baked any of Abby Dodge's recipes before this, but I am liking what I have baked.

Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake is the first recipe that ABC is baking from "The Weekend Baker" cookbook, and was chosen by Abby herself! I was pretty excited about baking this cake as it sounds delicious and it is! This cake is baked in a bundt pan which was greased and sprinkled with the mixture of chopped walnuts and sugar. The bananas are creamed together with the butter and sugar first, with the addition of eggs, buttermilk (which I substitute with the mixture of yoghurt and milk) and flour. I did reduce the sugar from the original of 1-1/4 cup (about 250gm) to 170gm, which is just right for me. Half the batter is then mixed with some melted chocolate.

Spoonfuls of the two batter are placed in the bundt pan, and finish off with a clockwise and anti-clockwise swirl with a spatula. 

It smells wonderful while it was baking in the oven. Could not wait to try a slice.

I could not help myself, ate a slice while still warm. Yum!

This cake has wonderful texture. It is moist and soft, with tender crumbs, with the right balance of bananas. The mixture of walnuts and sugar adds a wonderful bite, the crispy walnuts is a nice contrast against the soft tender cake. This is simply a wonderful cake, perfect for tea.

This recipe can be found in "The Weekend Baker" or from Fine Cooking, here. Please visit ABC bakers to read other bakers's post on this lovely cake.