Maple Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake
A delicious treat combining a banana cake with a maple and bourbon sauce.
It’s interesting the things I’m finding as I unpack in my new home. Wanting to make everything in this space have a purpose, I’m combining and categorizing and yes, pitching to accomplish that. With so much going out I’m really glad I saved the magazine with this Maple Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake!
I had not had the chance to read any of my cooking magazines since living in temporary quarters. There simply was no space for me to ‘relax.’ I was either working at a table or sequestered in my bedroom. Funny how I longed for my sofa or even a chair to just relax and read.
What that has meant is that I now have a plethora of books and magazines that have never been opened and I’m going through them steady and sure. I always find something I want to make in either Bon Appetit of Food and Wine and now I have a bunch of new ideas…I best get cooking huh?
One of the first things I saw that just called my name was this dish from Grace Parisi. It’s appeal was both practical in that I had a banana I needed to use, and timely because it was easy.
There is no story today about a family heirloom or something my children loved; especially after a week of dealing with a miserable cold that has seen me want to sleep more than cook. This dish seemed like the perfect comfort food though and it has been that.
Originally made by Grace as a dessert and suggested it be served with ice cream, I’ve actually enjoyed it most in the mornings with a cup of coffee. The cake is moist, dense and so flavorful but what makes it really special is the mixture of maple syrup, brown sugar and bourbon that is drizzled over the batter.
This mixture disappears under the cake dough and helps to create a thick, wonderful syrup at the bottom of the pan that has a definite banana flavor to it too. I could have just eaten all of that with a spoon; but that wouldn’t have been fair to everyone else, right?
The results of this cake were stellar; it’s ease of preparation puts it firmly at the top of my list for company. I still have some left..coming over?
Maple Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup superfine sugar
- 1 overripe banana mashed
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup whole milk at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°. In a deep, 2-quart baking or soufflé dish, melt the butter in the microwave. Whisk in the superfine sugar and banana, mashing until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the egg and milk.
- In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt; whisk into the baking dish until combined (the batter will be pretty loose).
- In a microwave-safe cup, heat the maple syrup, light brown sugar and 1/2 cup of hot water at high power until hot, 1 minute. Add the bourbon. Drizzle the syrup mixture over the batter; it will seep to the bottom. Do not stir. Scatter the pecans on top.
- Set the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until the cake is golden. Let cool for 5 minutes, then scoop into bowls and serve with ice cream. Drizzle some of the syrup in the bottom over the cake.
Just made this over the weekend for a bourbon tasting party. Such a shame I waited 5+ years to make this from this original post! This was so easy to throw together. Definitely a keeper!
When I first saw your comment Liz I wasn’t even sure what it was that you were talking about and I can’t say that seeing the post made it all that much easier. I was clearly in a fog those five years ago after having just moved and been sick at the same time.
Now I want to make it again too so thanks for that!
I hope you’re now feeling better. This certainly sounds like comfort food at its finest. I can just imagine how wonderful it tasted. I would love to come by to share your leftovers 😉
Starting to feel better; went out Friday to a media event at a new restaurant and it felt great to just get out. I was starting to feel like a prisoner because I didn’t want to share my germs and now I’m a prisoner no more…yippee!!
Whoever said downsizing was not a huge undertaking was so wrong! Glad to see that you are making some headway and that you are happy with the results. I love moving, organizing, rearranging, etc! Wish I could be there to help you. This cake for breakfast…I’m in!
So true. From figuring out where stuff should go since nothing was setup this way before to finding things. I found my pot rack hooks today so that was exciting but am starting to lose hope about my bedspread, dust ruffle and pillows that I love in my bedroom. I have one of the pillows…which makes it even more of a dilemma but guessing if that’s all that goes awry I should be happy!
Maple… bourbon…. banana…. I love everything about this!
Those were probably the words that struck me first two…really Jen, what is there NOT to love? 🙂
I’ll be right over, Barb! Maple and bourbon will always lure me, but add bananas and I’ll come running. I hope you’re feeling better and I’m glad you can start relaxing and enjoy reading and cooking.
Give me another day or two OK? I am full of advice I never take and did too much and had a setback as it were. An ‘I’m too tired for words’ setback…really dumb when you know better. But then…I’ll have a warm plate ready for you! 🙂
Oh I don’t envy all the time and work of settling into your new home, however I do remember that feeling of being finished with it all and having everything in it’s proper and perfect spot while purging the unneccessary stuff. If I were your neighbor I would be delighted to help you settle in in exchange for a bite of that cake.
Aw thanks so much; I could use the help and would be happy to prepare this EVERY day to get some. It seems I get everything in order but then start unpacking more and everything once again gets unsettled. Hoping soon it will all be over. Not til I find my bedspread but it has to be here somewhere right? 🙂
Mmmmm, do I dare make this dessert? It looks and sounds wonderful and I know I would gobble up more than my share. I love the sound of the bourbon on it. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Of course you should make it; eating more than your share would ease some of MY guilt at least. 🙂
Is it too late for me to come over and help you devour this cake? Dear heavens. What a wonderful way to enjoy some down time as you settle in!
Better hurry! Or I’ll make another just for you!
Glad to hear that you’re settling in, now. I love this recipe… sounds so very delicious! When I left my ex, I gave away most of my food magazines!
I cleaned out 30 years of Bon Appetit, Gourmet and Food and Wine but not before bookmarking the recipes I loved online. I still like reading a hard copy magazine or book but I no longer keep years of them in piles. Thanks goodness for the internet! 🙂
What a satisfying pudding ! It has all the right elements!! Hope you are feeling better. It’s been a cold hard winter.
I so often kill the cold with my home rememdy of salt water and vitamin C but this buggar won and won big. The worst is nighttime when I start a coughing fit; I do believe I would wake the dead! Aren’t we all ready for winter to be gone. ENOUGH!! When you coming down; I miss you!
You can’t go wrong with bourbon and bananas! Glad you’re getting settled in. It does take time, alas. Would you believe I have 6 or 7 years of Bon Appetit still in their plastic mailing wrapper?! Or mostly — I’ve looked at a few of the recent ones. I got out of the habit of reading it when we moved a few times back then, so I know how easy it is to get behind. In my case, way behind! 😉
Wow I thought I was bad to have a years worth? I really enjoy the practice of reading from a book or magazine…I’ve now got enough of them to keep me busy! If I don’t do anything else I have to catch the RSVP section of BA; it’s my favorite and I like to make something from it every month.
This pudding cake looks great any time of day. It would brighten anyone’s day– cold or no cold! Hope you are feeling better.
Not quite there; I did not give into it when I first got sick and am now paying for it by feeling a need to sleep almost nonstop. Not getting much done and that is what bugs me! Been living on pudding cake and pots de creme. How bad is that? 🙂
This little dessert would be lovely hot out of the oven. Looks delicious and fun to put together. Have a super day.
It was both! You have a great day too.
I’m so sorry you’ve been down with a cold. This has been a very busy cold and flu season around here. Everyone I know has been stricken with something or the other. This cake would certainly make you feel just a little bit better no matter what you have.
Sick as a dog though why is that a phrase; my dog has never been this sick. I erred in not giving in at first and have paid by being so sick I’ve basically spent the past three days in bed; even though Abbie does her best to keep me going…why can’t she just sleep all day too? 🙂
You sound more settled and cozy in your new home with every new post. I love this pudding cake – maple and bourbon and banana – winners!
I am Maureen though why I thought it would be done by now is beyond me! I haven’t hung one picture yet; hoping that’s next. I do love the place; now the work is to give it some of my personality!