holiday baking: one pound cake, two ways (deluxe double-vanilla)

On the list of all sweet things I love, pound cake………..well, takes the cake.

Today’s recipe is from a book I’ve talked about before. Rose Levy Beranbaum’s The Cake Bible has truly been my “bible” for much of my cake-baking life. Her pound cake recipe is the best I’ve ever tried (I’ve made it so often that the book literally opens to that page when I take it out), and I think you’ll agree it’s a keeper too.

The original version is lovely all on its own but I’m partial to both variations she includes in the book, which I’d like to share with you!

First up? Deluxe Double-Vanilla Pound Cake (here’s the other one!)

deluxe double vanilla pound cake

I could eat this cake for breakfast lunch and dinner  – moist and buttery with a perfect texture, you can easily double this one and I suggest you do, as it keeps (and freezes) beautifully.

deluxe double vanilla pound cake

deluxe double vanilla pound cake

Deluxe Double-Vanilla Pound Cake
from The Cake Bible

3 T. (1 1/2 oz.) milk
1 vanilla bean
3 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. (150 g.) cake flour
3/4 c. (150 g.) sugar
3/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
13 T. unsalted butter, softened

Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease an 8″ x 4″ x 2 1/2″ loaf pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease again and flour.

With a small, sharp knife split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Place it in a small saucepan with the milk and scald the milk (small bubbles will start to form around the edges). Cover immediately, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Remove the vanilla bean and, using the blunt end of your knife, scrape out the grains from its center and add to the milk.

In a medium bowl lightly whisk the eggs. Add the milk and vanilla extract and whisk again to combine.

In your mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix on on low for 30 seconds. Add all of the butter and half the egg mixture. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase to medium speed and beat for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides.

Add the remaining egg mixture in 2 batches, beating for 20 seconds after each addition. Scrape down the sides.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 55-65 minutes (40-45 if using mini loaf pans), or until a toothpick tests clean.

Cook cake in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cool completely.

Notes:
The above recipe makes one 8 x 4 x 2 cake, or two mini loaves. I doubled the recipe to get a total of four mini loaves.
If you do not want to use the vanilla bean, simply omit it. You don’t need to heat the milk if you do.

(print this recipe)


This delicious recipe brought to you by Sheri Silver
https://sherisilver.com/2011/12/17/holiday-baking-one-pound-cake-two-ways-deluxe-double-vanilla/

I’m sure you’re wondering what I do with those leftover vanilla beans – yes?

deluxe double vanilla pound cake

I make vanilla sugar of course!
Simply rinse the beans and dry them well. Add them to a container of sugar (you’ll need one cup for each bean), close tightly and let sit for two weeks. It’s heavenly.

deluxe double vanilla pound cake, vanilla sugar

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6 Comments

  1. Melanie on December 17, 2011 at 8:54 am

    This looks and sounds DELICIOUS. My coffee is brewing right now and I wish I had a slice of this cake to go with it!

    • sheri silver on December 17, 2011 at 4:41 pm

      Me too……….(all of the ones in the photo are wrapped for gifts!!!!) – thank you! 🙂

  2. Sheila Sackler on December 17, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    If the vanilla bean is omitted, should extra vanilla extract be added? I’m planning to make this tomorrow morning for a brunch and have all the ingredients except for the vanilla bean. I made the raspberry ribbons last week and froze them. Excellent. Love all your recipes.

    • sheri silver on December 17, 2011 at 10:19 pm

      Nope – just use the same amount of vanilla as the recip calls for………..just don’t heat the milk either! Glad you made the ribbons – they freeze beautifully! 🙂 xoxo

  3. Stacy on March 18, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    can you come to my house for dinner?

    • sherisilver on March 18, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Ha! I’m assuming you’d like this cake? 🙂

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Hi! I'm Sheri!

Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!