The Verdit Is In..........Dorie's Banana Cake and Modified Cheesecake Declared Winners

Tonight I hosted my weekly get together with good friends who have lovingly dubbed this gathering "The Pastry Meeting." And tonight, the Classic Banana Bundt Cake by Dorie Greenspan and my modified White Chocolate Cheesecake from Taste of Home were displayed and digested with mucho gusto.  In fact, at the end of our meeting, the few pieces remaining brought on a "bartering" session which actually got rather colorful!  Comments on the Banana Cake were rich with praise for a very banana flavor, superb texture and perfect moisture. I made Dorie's cake as per her recipe, with one addition.  I added the zest of one lemon. The cheesecake ellicited remarks about the lovely hint of orange, rich texture and creamy decadence.  Even though I personally didn't care for the little remnants of white chocolate chips in the final product, most in attendance loved it!  So, I'll make it again, this time with the white chocolate melted before incorporating, and see what happens.  Either way, both of these cakes were definite winners and will reappear in future episodes of "The Pastry Meeting."