Honey Vanilla Pound Cake with Fresh Berries & Whipped Cream

Honey Vanilla Pound Cake with Sweetened Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

It has been WAYYYY too long since I’ve posted on my blog, as I have been busy both in and out of the kitchen these past two weeks. Thanks to everyone who left such kind & supportive comments on my last post. While I was moping around my inability to find a nursing job, I lost track of the accomplishments I had been making. Let’s not forget that I made Top 9 on Foodbuzz twice in one week!! That surely is an accomplishment that I am proud of. As far as finding a job is concerned, it seems that my luck is picking up and it turns out that not everyone is overlooking my qualifications as I had originally thought.

So you may be wondering what exactly has been going on over here in sunny San Diego. For one….IT SNOWED and while the snow didn’t show up on my doorstep, it sure did get pretty close!

View of Snow Topped Mtns near my House

And then a few days after the snow came SUNSHINE & I soaked up all the goodness with my sweet puppy Ryder at the Del Mar Dog Beach.

It was hard to snap a picture of Rye running around like crazy, but I did get this one after he had ran straight into the ocean {& really quickly out!}

Amidst all of the weather changes, we also had a little family celebration for my Mother’s birthday. Per her request {or at least close enough} I made her a lovely pound cake topped with homemade whipped cream & an arrangement of fresh berries. While the pound cake was good I have to admit it wasn’t great. It can be with a few alterations and I do suggest that you make some if you chose to go with this recipe. I found the cake to be a tad bit on the dry side and I think more moisture {perhaps milk or more honey} would benefit and make for a better end result. It was either lacking moisture or maybe I baked it too long. So be weary of the dryness and be sure you don’t over bake like I might have. Also, if you have never considered toasting your slice of pound cake, give it a try!  I love mine toasty & warm :) XOXO....little j Y

Honey Vanilla Pound Cake

Recipe by: Ina Garten via Cook’s Illustrated

*Makes one 8-inch loaf

2 sticks unsalted butter, at cool room temperature (cool = set out for 1 hour)

1 ¼ cups sugar

4 eggs, at room temperature

2 Tbsp honey

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp grated lemon zest

2 cups sifted cake flour

1 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease & flour an 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5-inch loaf pan.

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Meanwhile, put the eggs, honey, vanilla and lemon zest in a glass measuring cup but do not combine. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the egg mixture, one egg at a time.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, with the mixer on low speed. Stir until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before turning cake onto baking rack to cool completely.

Sweetened Whipping Cream

Recipe by: Ina Garten

1 cup cold heavy cream

1 Tbsp sugar

½ tsp vanilla

Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a pre-chilled mixing bowl. Use the whisk attachment of your mixer and whip ingredients on medium then high speed until the cream forms stiff peaks. Be sure to not over whip. Serve with pound cake & fresh berries.

Looking for more dessert ideas?? Find them over @ Sweet As Sugar Cookies's Link Party!!