Banana-Chocolate Upside-Down Cake

Lauren Chattman has a great new book, Cake Keeper Cakes. When I picked up the book and paged through it, I kept thinking, "I would make that. I would make that. Oh yeah, I would make that." First up: this banana-chocolate upside-down cake. It's one of several upside-down cake recipes in this book. There are plenty more recipes to make from this book, too. I can't wait to keep exploring.

Birthday Cake

For Claire's birthday this year, I knew it had to be chocolate cake, so I went with a tried-and-true favorite (Best Birthday Cake) from Lora Brody's Chocolate American Style.

Apple Cider Cake

(Cue Joan Jett.)

Oh Anne Byrn. I hate myself for loving you. You make me buy cake mix! It's insane. I was thrilled to learn that you had a new baking book coming out, The Cake Mix Doctor Returns. It is a swell book, and I've really enjoyed looking it over.

I had a meeting to attend tonight, so last night, I gave the new book a test-drive by making the Apple Cider Cake. Terrific cake, and it was really easy to put together. I'm looking forward to trying more recipes from the new book.