1. Separating an egg. It's just so much fun!
2. Whipping cream. I think it's just ridiculously cool how after a few minutes you go from liquid to more of a solid. Chemistry man, it's awesome.
and 3. Browning butter. This may be my newest favorite thing, but it is definitely up there on things I just find fun to do while baking. I love everything about brown butter. I love watching the butter melt, turning bubbly, and then swirling it until it browns and you get those awesome brown flecks on the bottom of the pan. It is just great. Also, it smells AMAZING and tastes even better!
So, when I was craving banana bread, making a brown butter frosting to go on top just seemed like a natural thing to do.
Banana Bread Bundt with Brown Butter Icing (adapted from Bakergirl)
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 tbsp white vinegar
3 medium bananas, mashed
Icing:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp skim milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease your bundt pan.
2. In a liquid measuring cup, place white vinegar. Pour in skim milk until you reach the 1/2 cup line. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined. Beat in the vanilla. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk mixture, starting with the flour and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined. Fold in the bananas.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
6. Make the icing: Place powdered sugar in a large bowl and whisk. In a medium suacepan, melt butter over medium heat. Then continue to swirl butter around the pan until it browns. This takes a few minutes and keep and eye on it so that it doesn't burn. Pour the brown butter over the powdered sugar and whisk to combine. Whisk in the vanilla and the milk. Add more milk for a thinner icing or less milk for a thicker icing. Ice cooled cake and top with some good, old chocolate chips.
Enjoy :)
