Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Pomegranate Pound Cake

Pin It
I made it to post #50. Whew!

I wanted to bake a cake to mark the 50 post milestone. I contemplated baking a many-layered cake, and frosting it and decorating it with some pretty flourishes. But after a lot of plotting and scheming, I finally ended up with this. I guess, on some level, I really wanted the cake to reflect my cooking style. Simple, but with oodles of flavor.
I really like this cake. And my little girl, Aimee, has been walking around the house all day, chanting 'cake, cake, cake', and has eaten more than her fair share already. I can safely say she likes it too. My husband, well he has never been a fan of what he calls 'plain' cakes. Give him a dark, moist, rich chocolate cake, and he's happy. But he did eat a slice or two of this cake, and declared it 'very nice'! That's a high compliment, mind you!

So, here is my favorite pound cake recipe. I made one 6" bundt cake, and 1 mini-loaf (to give away). You could bake this in a 9" bundt tin or you could even make little pink-glazed cupcakes, garnished with edible red pomegranate 'jewels'! Imagine how cute those cupcakes would look!

Pomegranate Pound Cake
Ingredients
180g (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
200g (1 cup) sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lime zest
185g (1 1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp baking soda
125ml creme fraiche
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds/arils (plus a handful for garnish)

Method
1. Preheat your oven to 350.
2. Sift the flour with the baking soda, and set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
4. Add the zest, the vanilla, and the four egg yolks, and continue creaming for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the flour-soda mixture in three parts, alternating with the creme fraiche added in two parts. (You start and end with the flour mixture)
6. In a clean bowl, using a clean whisk (or whisk attachments) beat the egg whites until stiff.
7. Fold the egg whites into the batter gently until completely incorporated.
8. Gently stir in the pomegranate arils.
9. Pour batter into greased and floured baking tin, and bake until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Remove from the oven, and allow to rest in the baking tin for 10 minutes.
11. Turn out of the pan, and allow it to cool completely on a cooling rack.
12. When cool, drizzle over the pomegranate glaze and garnish with more fresh pomegranate arils.


Pomegranate Glaze
50 ml fresh pomegranate juice
1/2 tsp lemon juice
200g icing sugar

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth and light.
2. Adjust the quantity of icing sugar to make the glaze thinner or thicker, if desired

The cake is really moist - thanks to the creme fraiche, and very light, with tiny pink pomegranate arils peeking through. I love how pretty it looks! And I love the flavors too. The pomegranate flavor in the cake and the glaze are really subtle, and very fragrant.
I really loved how pretty  the shade of the glaze turned out. A lovely shade of pink without a drop of artificial food coloring! And with completely natural 'sprinkles', I felt really good about it! It doesn't get better than this!
Pin It

102 comments:

Alina - ExploraCuisine said...

Beautiful cake, and I love that you used Pomegranate! it looks fabulous!!!

Naris (In Good Taste) said...

This is such a pretty cake! It looks very moist and so delicious!

Jessica said...

Pomegranate Pound Cake?! What?!?! I love it! And I really, really love the color on this cake. It's like Barbie's dream cake!

In Katrina's Kitchen said...

This is so very pretty!

Jill Colonna said...

Marsha, your pound cake studded with jewels is definitely a crowning glory for your 50th post.  Bravo!  Aimee and hubby are so lucky to celebrate like this.  Absolutely stunning, as always.

spcookiequeen said...

This did come out pretty and I love the tart flavor of pomegranate against sweet cake.  50 already, boy time flies doesn't it, I'm still having trouble dealing with the fact it is already Wed.  I'd love a piece of this.
-Gina-

basilmomma said...

Oh...my..GOSH!!  This is not only beautiful but looks like it tastes fabulous!!  Wow!  Just WOW!
beautiful pictures, too!!  Great job!!

Stephsbitebybite said...

How gorgeous is this cake!! All that pink :) love it!

Erin @ Making Memories said...

WOW!  Your cake is absolutely beautiful!  What a creative combination.  I wish I had some right now!!!

Jennifurla said...

gorgeous and the glaze has such vibrant color.

Three-Cookies said...

The cake looks awesome, the pomegranate seeds made such a huge difference in presentation

Tomatoes on the Vine-Velva said...

Simple with "oodles of flavor" is a wonderful baking mantra.  This looks fabulous!

Velva

feedthebf said...

Congrats on your 50th post!  This cake is the perfect thing to celebrate with!

Kate@Diethood.com said...

Wow, what a beautiful cake...inside and out! :)

Mary@One Perfect Bite said...

This is a lovely and unusual cake. It is a perfect entry to mark the completion of 50 posts. Congratulations. I hope you have a great day. Blessings ...Mary

Lizzy said...

I almost missed this beauty of a cake!  Three Cookies featured it as her photo of the day...and I vote it the photo of the week!  SO lovely!

ping said...

Such a pretty pretty cake! I saw it on 3Cookies and my dashboard (since I'm a follower). Definitely picture of the day :D

Catherine said...

What a beautiful cake! It really looks pretty. I am sure it tastes as delightful as it looks with a cup of tea or coffee. Blessings, Catherine xo

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

This is such a pretty cake! It looks very moist and so delicious!

Terris @ Free Eats said...

Wow, 50 posts is no small feat!  Congrats.  This cake is definitely worthy of the occasion.  Absolutely beautiful!  The natural sprinkles are such a festive idea.  

Nami @ Just One Cookbook said...

This is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Breath taking.  Really.  I'm not a baker and I don't know how long it takes to make this beauty.  And how can you pour icing like that perfectly??  Sorry I really don't know anything about making the cake so pretty like this.  Perfect for your 50th post.  Congrats Marsha!!!!  I can't wait what you share on your 100th.  Hehehehee ;-)

Gwenevere Bland said...

bee-you-ti-FULL! great choice for a an anniversary post and pictures are fan-shmastic!

Gwenevere Bland said...

bee-you-ti-FULL! great choice for a an anniversary post and pictures are fan-shmastic!

whatafy said...

Beautiful? That's a small word for it. 

Dee Hurter said...

What a cute cake! I love it :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Alina! Pomegranate was what I had at hand, and it worked out great in the end :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

That is so sweet! Thank you so much for your kind comment! :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! I think you're right! Barbie would love this one... :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Katrina! Appreciate it :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Jill! You always say the nicest things & make me feel good.... Thanks for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

50 already! I know, time really does fly! :) Thanks for the sweet comment, Gina! Thanks for stopping by...

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Heather! :) It did taste pretty yummy! :) Thanks for your kind words about my pictures too... :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! It is really pink, isn't it? Not like me at all :) I really appreciate your comment! Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Erin, for that very thoughtful comment :) and thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! I appreciate it :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much for the comment :) And I really, really thank you for featuring my picture! Awesome... I am so flattered! :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! :) I really appreciate you stopping by & commenting :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Peggy! :) and thanks for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Kate! :) I appreciate it! Thanks for stopping by....

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mary! 50 sounds so small next to your 1000th post a few weeks ago! :) LOL... Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

That is such a sweet thing to say, Lizzy! I really, really appreciate the kind words! :) Thank you for stopping by... 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Ping! I really appreciate it :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

I had a slice with a cup of black mango tea, and it was so yummy! :) Thanks for the kind words, Catherine, and for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Maris! It was a very moist and tasty cake :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Terris! 50 is a pretty big deal for me :) Thank you so much for your kind words about my cake... the natural sprinkles were really great! Especially the way they went 'pop' in my mouth! mmmm... Thanks for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Nami! You are really sweet... Thank you for this very kind and flattering comment! I appreciate it... It doesn't take long to make this cake... About 15 minutes to measure out the ingredients & make the batter, and about 30 minutes baking time. The glaze - I just poured it over with a teaspoon... Gravity took care of the rest :) Thanks for all your support! :) Thanks for stopping by...

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much, Gwenevere! :) I really appreciate it! Thanks for stopping by :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Dee! :) I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment... :) 

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

What gorgeous colors!  I'm sure the flavor is simply to die for too =D

Inside a British Mum's Kitchen said...

Oh congratulations - it looks SO beautiful  and sounds just delicious!
Mary x

whatafy said...

I'm looking forward for you recipes! Cheers

Cajundelights said...

Lovely cake and it looks so scrumptious! Congrats on your 50th post! Thanks so much for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Xiaolu! :) I really appreciate it... It was subtle and fragrant cake... I loved it! Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mary! :) I really appreciate it :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Marguerite... 50 posts! I'm so glad to have met so many nice bloggers like you along the way :) Thanks for stopping by! :)

Manu said...

Congrats on post #50 Marsha!!!! <3  This cake looks amazing.  Simple but ELEGANT!  And I love the pomegranate icing... it looks so pretty!  Well done!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Oh my gosh- what can I say? This cake looks gorgeous- just beautiful and colorful and dainty. I know it is just as delicious as it looks too and I only wish I had a huge huge slice of it right now! Congrats on post 50- you are doing an awesome job with your blog!~

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Manu!  I really appreciate your thoughtful comment.. and all your support! :) Thanks for stopping by... :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! :) I am glad you like it... and thanks for all the encouragement and support! It really keeps me going :) Thanks for stopping by!

Ellena said...

That is one brilliant looking cake! Beautiful and elegant. I really enjoyed looking at the photographs too. Well taken! Great post!

Kate said...

Gorgeous and such a unique and vibrant flavor.  Well done!  Happy 50th!

Magic of Spice said...

Very pretty glaze indeed and lovely cake all around :)

Roxana GreenGirl said...

Congrats on this milestone Marsha. Can't wait to read the next 500!
This cake fits the occasion, love the pomegranate paired with the sweetness of the cake.  Thanks for sharing :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Ellena!  I really appreciate your comment! :) Thanks for stopping by....

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Kate! I appreciate it... :) Thanks for all the support! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! :) I am so glad you think so... Thanks for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Aww... Thank you, Roxana! I hope I make it to 500!! :) I'm glad you like the cake too! :) Thanks for stopping by... :)

Jabeen Arif said...

Wow.. The cake looks Adorable.. Just perfectly made and beautifully iced..

New to ur space and absolutely love it.. following u for more wonderful creations.. Do visit me as time permits..http://comeletseat.blogspot.com

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! :) I am looking forward to visiting you site... I'm so glad you like what you see here! Thanks for stopping by & following :)

Emilia said...

What a gorgeous cake, I love your idea of using pomegranates. I am usually a big fan of mousse cakes, but this cake looks so good, I can already imagine the little pomegranate seeds poping up in my mouth full of juice and flavours...mmmmmm

elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds said...

Marsha-Your pomegranate pound cake with the gorgeous glaze is something that would be so amazing for Christmas, and Valentines, or a special birthday cake for my little granddaughter's special event cake (age 5)
everything has to be pink for her.
Such a delicious and pretty pink cake. Love the drizzle and the pomegranate seeds...oh, and of course the special yummy recipe.
Thanks for sharing...you're a doll!!!

Maggie @ vittlesandbits said...

This is just gorgeous! I love the pomegranate addition, very clever.  And congrats on post 50!!

VeggieNextDoor said...

Congrats on your 50th post!  You've accomplished so much in just 50 posts!

Biren @ Roti n Rice said...

Congrats on your 50th post and that's a beautiful cake to mark the occasion! The pomegranate glaze is very creative and  I love how you added those pomegranate jewels to it.

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much, Emilia :)  I love those little pomegranate arils too.. Great flavor! Thanks for stopping by :)

theharriedcook said...

It is a really girly cake, isn't it? :) I am so glad you like it... and I hope your little granddaughter does too! Thanks for the kind comment & for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Maggie! I appreciate your thoughtful comment :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! That's really sweet of you to say so... Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much, Biren! The pomegranate jewels are really pretty, aren't they? :) Thanks for stopping by!

Garlutti said...

HI ... I'm glad to discover your blog .. I love theserecipes you have with many new ideas for me ... I follow you on facebook .. I invite you to share myrecipes and blog ... greetings from SPAIN VIGO ...Marimi

Puddingpielane said...

I've never thought about pomegranate in a cake before, what a great idea! I love this photo too, your photos are getting better and better :) (not that they weren't good before!)

SpicieFoodie said...

Congrats on your 50th post! What a great way to celebrate with this beautiful cake. Cheers to the next 50. 

Lynne Feifer said...

Beautiful cake and the photos are SO inviting!!  Congratulations on your 50th post - such a great accomplishment! First time to your site, and am now following.  I look forward to coming back daily!

Jon Lugo said...

Simply amazing, devoured in a matter of minutes by my family!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! :) I look forward to visiting your blog too! Thank you so much for stopping by! :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Xinmei! I am so glad you've noticed an improvement... I've been working hard at my pictures, and it's nice when someone notices! :) Thanks for your sweet comment, and for stopping by! :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you stopping by & commenting :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Lynne! :) Thanks for your thoughtful comment, and for the follow... I look forward to visiting your site too! :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much for stopping by, and for taking the time to leave a comment! :) I appreciate it!

DarjeelingDreams said...

That is such a pretty, pretty cake. And it does sound delicious!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much, Joyti! :) And thanks for stopping by....

theharriedcook said...

Thanks! :) 

Briarrose said...

This looks amazing.  Excellent way to celebrate.  The pink glaze just tickles me.  ;)

theharriedcook said...

:) I'm so glad! :) Thank you so much for your sweet comment! And thanks for stopping by :)

FreeSpiritEater said...

Wow! I knew I would not be disappointed! Your photos and recipes are always top notch! As always, love your site =] 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Ky! :) I really appreciate it :) Thanks for the encouragement, and thanks for stopping by! :)

Mari's Cakes said...

This is a must do for me. It looks wonderful :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mari! The flavors are really yummy :) Thanks for stopping by!

Amanda said...

Such prettiness. And the "sprinkles" just accents the cake in the most perfect way. Gorgeousness.

Amanda
softandstiffpeaks.blogspot.com

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Amanda! My favorite kind of sprinkles :) Thanks for stopping by!

Nichole said...

i am TOTALLY making this! just turned 46, so birthday cake it is!

Heather said...

This cake looks amazing!!
You say to cook this in a bundt tin or to make cupcakes- would it not work to make it as a regular circular cake?

Post a Comment

Real Time Web Analytics