If pressed, I'd have to say my favorite dessert involves a plain slice of cake, a dripping spoonful of summer fruit, and a dollop of sweetened cream. Served on a flowered plate.
It's tempting to write that the cake is "just a vehicle for the fruit", but it isn't true...the fork is the vehicle and cake is a complement that can be as delicious as anything sharing its space. It should be tight-crumbed and sturdy enough to withstand the good soak that ripe and perhaps macerated fruit provides, but tender. Butter cakes and biscuits are a natural. An olive oil cake is different and foxy. Gingerbread, in summer particularly, is very special. But given a Sophie's choice, as they say, I'll take the fresh ginger pound cake that I bake every summer.
As for the fruit? Surprise me!
.
Fresh Ginger Pound Cake adapted from Fields of Green by Annie Somerville
3 3/4 c cake flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb unsalted butter, room temp
1 tsp lemon or lime zest
2 1/2 c sugar
6 eggs, room temp
1/4 c grated fresh ginger
1 c milk, room temp
.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter and flour 2 loaf pans or a 10" bundt pan.
Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.
Cream the butter with the sugar and lemon zest until fluffy (3 minutes). On low speed, add the eggs one at a time, making sure they are well incorporated after each addition. Add the ginger, scrape down the bowl, and mix in the flour in three additions, alternating with the milk, beating just enough to incorporate the ingredients.
Pour into prepared pan(s) and bake for 1 3/4 - 2 hours, until skewer inserted just off-center comes out clean.
I'm jealous of olive oil cake--I wish I was "different and foxy."
Posted by: Mitzy | June 28, 2006 at 05:59 PM
I see Maura's fresh ginger pound cake with roasted cherry compote in my very near future ...
You're a star!
Posted by: Ivonne | June 29, 2006 at 06:53 AM
Maura reading your recipe which sounds delicious I'm reminded of the cakes your Grandma Leary use to bake. As a little girl I loved being by her elbow as she would make a cake "from scratch" using a recipe she knew from memory probably passed on from her mother or mother-in-law. She always would add the flour and milk as you described alternating one with the other and beating with each addition but she didn't use an electric mixer but her own hand. I loved watching her hands and arms as she worked..so nurturing and so strong..I felt so happy by her side. Sometimes when we're baking we're making more than a cake.
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Posted by: Gxzkijx | December 02, 2007 at 02:10 AM
This cake is amazing! Makes me want to get out there and get to a baking class asap! I want one like that too for my Birthday bash! Keep up the great work! I am looking forward to the next entry.
Posted by: ps3 manette | December 31, 2009 at 02:55 AM
I prefer the chocolate cake because you can eat it with coffee or milk and the flavor is better than the other one. the ingredients are simple so the preparation is really fast.
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This cake is amazing! Makes me want to get out there and get to a baking class asap! I want one like that too for my Birthday bash! Keep up the great work! I am looking forward to the next entry.
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