I’m not a serious a sports fan but I do know that we are down to the nitty-gritty in getting the World Series lined up BUT when I say Bundt, I am not talking baseball…I’m talking cake. Growing up, my Mom would make Bundt cake for lots of different occasions…especially picnics and potlucks. It just seemed that was the occasions that most called for the Bundt. The Tunnel of Fudge cake won the Pillsbury Bake Off in 1966. That recipe was a staple in my Mom’s recipe box. My mouth can water just thinking about that moist and delicious chocolate cake. Although the original Bundt was introduced by Nordicware in 1946, the 1960’s and 70’s were the hayday of the Bundt cake and then it fell out of vogue. Even so, Nordicware reports, “If there is a kitchen in the home, more often than not there is a Bundt pan to be found -- in two out of three American households to be exact”. The thing about what’s in fashion and out of fashion cycles around and around. What is old becomes new again and what goes out always comes back. Today’s Bundt’s are not like my Mom’s. They are beautiful, sculptured pieces and the cakes made from them are simply art. They are definitely back!
When we lived in Minnesota, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Nordiware store in downtown Minneapolis. I quickly became hooked and I’d be embarrassed to share just how many of these beautiful pans I own. And they are always introducing new ones. These pans are made to last a lifetime and require little in specialized care. Please visit this link
Nordicware too see a short video on the beautiful Bundt. There is now even a National Bundt Day (November 15) to celebrate the Bundt pan. So, as we get into holiday baking season, don’t discount the Bundt. Get out the pan you probably already have or consider investing in a new one. If you are like me and have several, consider making them available for loan to your trusted friends and family members.
I also wanted to add that I have heard people complain about sticking in these pans. I’m posting the instructions from
www.Nordicware.com on how to care for and prepare the pans. I’ve never had a sticking issue.
BAKEWARE USE AND CARE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Before initial use and after subsequent uses, hand wash with hot soapy water.
2. Before each use, brush with solid vegetable shortening and dust with flour or spray using Baker's Joy or Pam for Baking spray with flour in it.
3. Mixes and recipes may vary. Fill the pan no more than ¾ full to avoid overflow.
4.Metal utensils, scouring pads and abrasive cleaners should not be used on non-stick surfaces.
A favorite Bundt recipe:
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Nonstick cooking spray, for pan
4 cups cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for dusting
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 14-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray. Dust with flour, and tap out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to low. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Beat until just combined. Add pumpkin puree, and beat until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until golden and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Carefully turn cake onto rack too cool completely. Before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.
I'm adding this post to
Tasty Tuesday and
Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday. Thank you Jen & Lisa for hosting these lovely events each week. Check out the great recipes posted.
Have you seen my old wooden cutting board? I have several, but this one is my favorite. Can you tell it gets used A LOT? After seeing it in photos recently, I was EMBARRASSED and knew I needed to take some action and do something about the pitiful condition it was in. With all the chopping that will be going on in my kitchen over the next few days, I am glad to get this workhorse into better shape.
I have baked this cake in layers (if you remember last year when I made my Mom & Dad’s 50th Anniversary Cake – it was THIS cake) and in loaves. It is very versatile – you will have to adjust the baking time accordingly. To serve, you can simply sprinkle with powdered sugar, dollop with fresh whipped cream, ice or glaze with a simple glaze or vanilla buttercreme BUT my favorite is icing it with cream cheese frosting Y-U-M!!!
Usually I try to avoid visiting with this friend often.....mostly because the nearest one is 30 miles away. BUT, it is in the town I work in and this time of year, I am in that town 6 days a week and I drive right past...or should I say, right through, many of those days. I have purchased the coffee beans and have tried brewing at home BUT it just isn't the same. Really, to me, it doesn't taste much different at home than the comes from a red plastic can, coffee. I have even looked into purchasing one of their coffee makers, but gasp, I cannot part with that much money for a coffeemaker. That has all changed. While shopping at my local Sam's Club, I decided to stroll over where the coffeemakers are displayed. I wanted to see the Keurig and what all the brewhaha (lol) was about. Standing in the asile was Cindy. 
I know her casually. We chit-chatted a few moments, then she asked me if I was considering a Keurig. I told her I was pretty much a coffee snob and she started in. After 20-30 minutes of her going on and on about the attributes of this machine, I had the Keurig in my cart. Now I wonder if she works for the company and stands there all day to help the undecided's make up their minds, lol. 
I brought it home, scooted the old Mr. Coffee over and brewed myself my first cup.
Oh, my GOODNESS! I LOVE this coffee. The first day, I drank so much coffee, I thought I'd never get to sleep that night. Now I have to cut myself off about 7PM. My maker had a sample pack of 5 or 6 different types of coffee...so far, my favorite is...
The other beverages in my beverage center are feeling a bit left out. 
Mr. Coffee isn't seeing much action these days. 
Well, I've worked so hard at this post that I am thinking I need a coffee break. C-ya!
