Good Eats Pound Cake Light Alton Brown Food

BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 375 degrees F.
• Coat a 10-inch aluminum tube pan or 2 (9 by 5-inch) loaf pans with 1 tablespoon of butter and dust with 2 tablespoons of the flour.
• Combine the remaining 12 ounces of butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream for 6 minutes on medium speed, using the paddle attachment. Stop once to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With the mixer running at lowest speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Again stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl. This will take approximately 1 1/2 minutes. Add the vanilla and salt and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• With the mixer on the lowest speed add the flour in 3 installments, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour, making sure each portion is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the final addition, beat the batter for 30 seconds on medium speed until almost smooth.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared pan(s), dividing evenly if using 2 pans. Bake for 1 hour in a tube pan or in loaf pans, until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. The crust will be golden brown and spring back when pressed, but the crack around the center will appear moist.
• Remove the cake from the oven to a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan(s) and cool on the rack for 10 minutes longer. Store the cake on the rack covered with a tea towel for up to 3 days.

CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
• In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
• With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
• Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
• Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
• Yield: approximately 2 cups

POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Coat a 10-inch aluminum tube pan or 2 (9 by 5-inch) loaf pans with 1 tablespoon of butter and dust with 2 tablespoons of the flour.
• Cream together the remaining 16 ounces of butter and the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer for 5 minutes on medium speed, using the paddle attachment. Stop once to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With the mixer running at the lowest speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Again, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl. This will take approximately 3 minutes and the mixture may look curdled. Add the vanilla and salt and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the flour in 3 installments, making sure each portion is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the final addition, scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat for 30 seconds on medium speed until almost smooth.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared pan(s), dividing evenly if using 2 pans. Bake for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. The crust will be golden brown and will spring back when pressed, but the crack around the center will appear moist.
• Remove the cake from the oven to a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan(s) and cool on the rack. Store the cake on the rack covered with a tea towel for up to 3 days.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch metal pan with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper so it hangs over the sides of the pan and spray the parchment with nonstick spray. Set aside.
• Whisk the boiling water and cocoa powder together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine the sugar, flours, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Whisk the oil, sour cream, eggs and egg yolks in a large pourable vessel. Add the oil mixture to the cocoa and water mixture and slowly whisk to combine. With the mixer on low speed, add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture over 30 seconds. Continue to beat on low speed for another 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat on low speed until the batter is smooth, 10 to 15 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the cake springs back when pressed and reaches an internal temperature of 205 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes, and then remove cake from the pan and cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
• Beat the butter and mayonnaise in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on high, until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add the melted chocolate. Continue mixing on low speed until all of the chocolate is incorporated, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Turn off the mixer and add one-third of the sugar. Mix on low to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Repeat until all of the sugar has been incorporated. Add the salt and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and lightens slightly in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 hours or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before using chilled frosting.

GOOD EATS POUND CAKE LIGHT - ALTON BROWN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Liberally butter two 9x5 loaf pans, or one 9" tube pan. Add the flour and coat all surfaces (if using loaf pans, simply place one on top of the other and shake vigorously). Discard any excess flour.
• Warm the butter to 65-70F (about 3 hours at room temperature). Place sugar and butter in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (placing the butter on top of the sugar helps keep it from flying all over your kitchen). Mix on medium for a full 6 minutes.
• With the mixer turned down to low, add eggs one at a time, waiting 20-30 seconds after each addition, until the egg is fully incorporated and emulsified before adding the next. Add vanilla and salt. Beat on medium for 30 seconds, then return to low.
• Add 1/3 of the flour. Mix until the flour is completely incorporated, then add half the buttermilk and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the next 1/3 of the flour. When that's fully incorporated, add the remaining buttermilk and mix until incorporated. Scrape down again and add the last of the flour. When fully incorporated, scrape down a third time, then beat on medium for 30 seconds.
• Using a scale, pour 2 lbs of batter into each loaf pan (or pour the whole thing into the tube pan). Smooth the top lightly; it doesn't need to be perfect. Bake about 1 hour, until the internal temperature is 210°F and the cakes are golden-brown.
• Place the cakes, in their pans, on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and place bake on rack for at least another 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine zest, juice and salt in a small bowl. Whisk in the confectioner's sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until it resembles a very thick milk. Place cake on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet (to catch any spills), then pour the glaze over the cakes, allowing gravity to pull the glaze down over the sides. Let the glaze harden 30 minutes before slicing.

SOUR CREAM CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Brush some of the melted butter around a 9 by 3-inch cake pan. Adhere parchment to the bottom and the sides.
• In a small bowl, combine crumbled graham crackers, the remaining melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan. Place remaining crumbs on a sheet pan and bake both the crust and the remaining mixture for 10 minutes. Cool. Reserve additional crumb mixture for sides.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat sour cream for 10 seconds. Add the cream cheese and sugar and mix on low for 30 seconds and then turn up to medium. Scrape the bowl.
• In a separate container, combine vanilla, eggs, yolks, and heavy cream. With the mixer on medium, slowly pour the liquid mixture in. When half of it is incorporated, stop and scrape. Continue adding the mixture until the rest of the ingredients are incorporated. Once completely combined, pour into the cooled crust.
• Lower oven temperature to 250 degrees F. Place cheesecake into a preheated water bath, in the oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and open the door for one minute. Close the door for one more hour. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours to completely cool before serving.
• When ready to serve, place the entire cake pan into a hot water bath for about 15 seconds. Unmold onto a cake round or serving dish. Take the remaining graham cracker mixture and press into the sides of the cake.
• To slice, place your knife into a hot water bath and wipe dry each time you make a pass through the cake.

TRES LECHES CAKE (ALTON BROWN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Avoid using a very shallow pan.
• Whisk to combine cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream butter with mixer.
• Slowly add 1 cup of sugar to butter until combined.
• Pour eggs into mixture one at a time, making sure that each egg is combined before adding the next egg.
• Add 1.5 tsp vanilla.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Pour batter into the buttered and floured baking pan and smooth.
• Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely.
• Perforate cake all over using skewers or a fork.
• Stir together the evaporated milk, condensed milk, and half-and-half.
• Pour milk over cake and refrigerate overnight (or 8 hours) to allow the cake to soak up all the milks.
• Before serving, whip heavy cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until thickened.
• Spread whipped topping over cake and refrigerate until ready to serve.

GOOD EATS POUND CAKE - ALTON BROWN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Liberally butter two 9x5 loaf pans, or one 9" tube pan. Add the flour and coat all surfaces (if using loaf pans, simply place one on top of the other and shake vigorously). Discard any excess flour.
• Warm the butter to 65-70F (about 3 hours at room temperature). Place sugar and butter in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (placing the butter on top of the sugar helps keep it from flying all over your kitchen). Mix on medium for a full 5 minutes.
• With the mixer turned down to low, add eggs one at a time, waiting 20-30 seconds after each addition, until the egg is fully incorporated and emulsified before adding the next. Add vanilla and salt.
• With the mixer still on low, add 1/3 of the flour. Mix until the flour is completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the next 1/3 of the flour. When that's fully incorporated, scrape down again and add the last of the flour. When fully incorporated, scrape down a third time, then beat on medium for 30 seconds.
• Using a scale, pour 2 lbs of batter into each loaf pan (or pour the whole thing into the tube pan). Smooth the top lightly; it doesn't need to be perfect. Bake about 1 hour, until the internal temperature is 210F and the cakes are golden-brown.
• Place the cakes, in their pans, on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and place bake on rack for at least another 10 minutes. Store loosely wrapped in a towel at room temperature for up to 3 days, or slice and freeze for up to 3 months. (It's very good toasted, right out of the freezer; one cycle thaws, and another toasts.).