Sunday, July 22, 2012

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is another lovely cake that's perfect to use as a base for summer berries. The recipe was develop by Piper Davis for inclusion in the Grand Central Baking Book. While the recipe, as it was originally published, appears below, I made a few changes to the cake I made for my family. It was my intention to serve the cake with blackberries, so I swapped orange zest for the lemon that was called for in the original recipe. I also eliminated the glaze that soaks into the cake when it is released from the pan. I replaced it with a loose icing that's made with a combination of confectioners' sugar and orange flavoring. The lemon version of this cake is delicious, but we've had a lot of the lemon-blueberry combination these past few weeks and I thought a little variety would be good for the soul. About this time every summer, I start to dream of naked melons and plain fruit. My tolerance for sweets, which is never very high, ebbs at this time of year. It's temporary, I know, but I can't wait to taste those Oregon melons and the first of the summer apples. In the meantime, I'm surrounded by folks who really enjoy sweet things and I aim to please. This is a lovely cake that I know will bring lemon lovers to their knees. If your tastes run to the tart-sweet, you'll love this cake. I hope you'll give it a try. Here's the recipe.

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Grand Central Baking Book

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour (1 lb. 4 oz.)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 stick unsalted butter room temperature
2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs room temperature
1-1/4 cup buttermilk room temperature
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons lemon zest finely chopped
Glaze
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour a 10-inch tube pan.
Measure dry ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
2) Using a stand mixture with a paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium high seed until mixture is very light in color (almost white) and texture is fluffy, about 6 minutes. Scrape bottom and sides of mixing bowl several times to ensure butter is evenly incorporated.
3) Crack eggs into a liquid measuring cup and, with mixer on low speed, slowly add eggs,letting them fall into the bowl one at a time and incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl.
4) Measure buttermilk and lemon juice into a liquid measure and stir in lemon zest. With mixer on low speed, add one-third of dry ingredients, then half of buttermilk mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition. Repeat, using half of remaining dry ingredients and all of remaining buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients and stop mixing before fully incorporated. Finish mixing by hand, using a sturdy spatula and being sure to scrape up from bottom of bowl.
4) Scrape batter into prepared tube pan and use spatula to smooth surface of batter. Run a paring knife through batter in one smooth motion, 1-inch from the edge of the pan to help cake rise evenly. Bake 45 minutes, rotate pan and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake 30 to 35 more minutes. The cake is ready when it pulls away from edges of the pan slightly and springs back when pressed lightly in center. The top will probably split. Use a cake tester to check doneness.
5) While the cake is baking prepare glaze. Combine granulated sugar, lemon juice and water in a small pan set over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer until glaze thickens and becomes syrupy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
6) Remove cake from oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Loosen sides and around tube with a knife. Invert cake onto rack and quickly turn it over so top side of cake is facing up. Using a skewer, poke holes in top of cake. Slowly pour glaze over top of cake. When glaze has been absorbed transfer cake to a serving plate. Cool completely before serving. Yield: 15 to 16 servings.









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32 comments :

Gloria Baker said...

Love this cake so much Mary; love lemon!

Ellen B Cookery said...

I love lemon cakes and this is a classic!

Pondside said...

This looks good - something for the pound cake lover (me!) and the lemon lover (TGD!)

compare electricity providers sydney said...

Yum. Pound cake is my all time favorite. Its the classic dessert that we crave for.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I cannot even imagine not liking sweets. You are sweet :), to make goodies for your family.

Jeanne said...

Fabulous recipes.
Happy weekend.
Love Jeanne

Katarina said...

Lemon is a favorite in baked goods! Looks delicious! Have a great Sunday!

kitchen flavours said...

Lemon cakes is one of my favourites! This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing and have a great week ahead!

Diane said...

I don't think I have ever made a pound cake perhaps this is a hint that I should try :-) Have a good day Diane

Lea Ann (Cooking on the Ranch) said...

I've never made a pound cake and have been wanting to. And a lemon one. Great timing Mary. :)

Ben said...

This is a beautiful looking pound cake, Mary. And extra kudos for the glaze. I've found baked items like this - even things like banana bread - take on an added dimension when a simple glaze is added. Thanks for something very delightful!

Ben
http://kissthecook-ben.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

You can mix the lemon juice and buttermilk and it will not curdle?

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I immediately fall in love with these gloriously tall pound cakes, and just the thought of a hint of citrus gets me swooning.

Kim said...

Really love this beautiful cake! It's a perfect summer treat with some fruits and whipped cream!

Tender B. said...

I'm not sure if there is a better place for lemon than in a pound cake.

Sue/the view from great island said...

I didn't think it was possible for a cake to be refreshing, but there it is---love it!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Yummy cake! We love evrything lemony, so I will try your recipe asap! Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday.
FABBY

Unknown said...

Gotta love a good pound cake, and that glaze makes it even more perfect!

David said...

Mary, Great looking lemon pound cake! Just cut a slice and pour a little half and half over it and I'm good to go... Thanks and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Arthur in the Garden! said...

Such a great recipe and a standard!

KitchenKarma said...

I love lemon flavour and this cake looks perfect.....I am sure it taste delicious with berries....:-)

Eileen said...

It looks scrumptious. :)

Martha said...

Lemon is good but I like the changed up orange version you made. I'm sure it was/is delicious! It LOOKS scrumptious!

Gerlinde in Washington said...

Your cakes always look so lovely!

Leslie said...

Oh yes..this would certainly bring me to my knees!

Catherine said...

Dear Mary, I am trying not to turn the oven on during the warm summer. This cake will be perfect for fall.
I have been baking on top of the stove. It has worked so far.
I hope all is well. Take care dearest. Blessings, Catherine xo

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

I love this cake, flavor and texture is perfection!

Rambling Tart said...

Ohhhh, I do so love lemon pound cake. :-) Especially with that scrumptious glaze. :-)

Kit @ i-lostinausten said...

Lovely flavor & beautifully risen cake! Love the glazing, looks so delicious! :)

Unknown said...

Lemon pound cake is my favorite type of pound cake. There is just something about the citrus flavor that makes me almost want to give up chocolate!!

Joanne said...

I'm always in the mood for lemony desserts! What a great cake!

Jennifer Kendall said...

my husband has a thing for cakes like this and i have yet to make him one...i'll have to surprise him with this soon!

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