Once Upon A Chef Lemon Pound Cake Food

LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray and dust with sugar. Be sure the entire pan is coated (see note below).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. With the mixer on low speed, beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Beat in another quarter of the flour mixture, then another third of the milk mixture. Repeat with another quarter of the flour mixture and the remaining milk mixture. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and give a quick mix with a rubber spatula to make sure all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for ten minutes on a rack.
• While the cake cools, make the syrup. Combine the water and granulated sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• Invert the warm cake onto the rack. Slip a large piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil under the rack to catch all the drips from the syrup. Gradually brush the hot syrup over the cake, letting it soak in (a little syrup will drip off, but try not to rush so that most of it is absorbed). Allow the cake to cool completely, about one hour. When the cake is cool, carefully transfer it to a serving platter.
• To make the glaze: stir the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl, mixing until completely smooth. Add more confectioners' sugar if necessary to make a thick, opaque glaze (it should be thicker than you'd think -- you want it the consistency of honey or molasses). Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze harden before slicing and serving the cake, about 15 minutes. The cake will keep nicely for 3 days if kept covered on the countertop.
• Note: If you'd like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
• Note: You'll need 3 large lemons for this recipe
• Note: As the recipe indicates, I grease the Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and then dust it with sugar. It has always worked beautifully for me, but a number of readers have mentioned problems with the cake sticking. If you'd prefer to use a different method, treat the pan by generously coating it with butter and then dusting it with flour, or use a nonstick baking spray with flour like Pam with Flour or Baker's Joy. (Also, it's best not to use a Bundt pan with an intricate design for this cake, as they are more prone to sticking.) Another option (that is foolproof) is to use two 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pans instead of a Bundt pan. Loaf pans are much less prone to sticking, and you can line them with parchment paper for extra insurance. To prepare the loaf pans, spray them with nonstick baking spray, line the bottoms with parchment, and then spray them again. The bake time will be 50 to 60 minutes, and you will only need half of the soaking syrup.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen (without the glaze) for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. (Add the glaze after the cake is thawed.)

LEMON POUND CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: To prepare the pan, mix 2 tablespoons softened butter and 2 tablespoons flour (equal parts of each) in a small bowl until combined. Use a pastry brush to generously coat the inside of a 10-cup Bundt pan or two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans and set aside. (Alternatively, spray with nonstick baking spray with flour.) Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F if using a bundt pan or 350 degrees F if using loaf pans.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the remaining 1 cup softened butter and the cream cheese on medium-low speed until smooth, creamy and well combined, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla and salt.
• With the mixer running, pour the sugar into the bowl in a steady stream. The batter will start to take shape. Increase the speed to medium and mix until the batter becomes pale, fluffy and has lightened in color, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the eggs two at a time, mixing until they are completely incorporated before adding the next, about 1 minute for each addition. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and mix until just combined.
• Stop the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. If the batter appears broken from the addition of the final 2 eggs, don't worry-it will come together in the next step.
• With the mixer off, add the flour all at once. Mix on low speed just until no streaks of
• flour remain. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix in any bits of flour that were
• not fully incorporated. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan or pans and smooth the top.
• Bake until a cake tester inserted deep into the center of the bundt cake or loaves comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes for a bundt and 50 to 60 minutes for loaves.
• Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Use a small angled spatula or butter knife to loosen the cakes from the pans by running it around the loaves or around the inside and outside perimeters if you baked a bundt. Invert the cakes onto the rack and cool to room temperature.
• For the lemon glaze: Whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice and confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. If necessary, add a little milk until the glaze reaches a pourable consistency. If it is too thin, add more confectioners' sugar. Set aside.
• Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze all over and allow to drip down the sides.