Meyer Lemon Pound Cake

January 21, 2014

meyer lemon pound cake | une gamine dans la cuisine

Winter, in classic curmudgeonly style, felt we were becoming too comfortable, too...almost-warm for its liking. After about two weeks of normal weather, the mercury is falling. Again.

When temperatures plummet into the single digits (and below!), I reignite a kinship with "The Lady of Shalott." She's been a kindred spirit since I first read Tennyson's poem at the ripe old age of 12. As the deceivingly-sunny raw afternoon trudges into another icy night, I feel semi ethereal. I have no desire to do anything whatsoever. Time drips by, freezes in mid-air, and five hours have suddenly passed while my head was buried in a book. The rest of the world might as well be light years away - it's just me, and the cold, and this capricious dance with the hours. To be perfectly honest, a good part of me relishes the gelid solitude (as long as I know it's not going to last too, too long).

meyer lemon pound cake | une gamine dans la cuisine

Lemons, on the other hand, are my lifeline. They're a rope in the blizzard, leading me back to reality and thoughts of spring. I was ridiculously excited to find Meyer lemons at the grocery store last weekend.

This luscious cake recipe is adapted from fellow food blogger, Tutti Dolci. (I think Laura's obsession with lemons is almost equal to mine.) The 'pound' cake is not quite as heavy as traditional pound cakes so it's okay to enjoy several slices in one day. It's sweet, tender simple to make & deliciously ravaged, cake to frosting, by Meyer lemons. I can't think of a better way to cast off mid-winter broodiness. ;)

meyer lemon pound cake | une gamine dans la cuisine

Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
makes one 8 x 4-inch loaf
adapted from Tutti Dolci 

for the cake
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 3 Meyer lemons
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temp.
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 cup sour cream (or plain yoghurt)
3/4 cup buttermilk

for the glaze
7 - 9 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract (optional)

method
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter an 8x4-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper (leave a slight overhang along the sides).

Prepare the cake: In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; Set aside.

In stand mixer bowl, combine granulated sugar and lemon zest. Use your fingertips to rub zest into the sugar until moist and aromatic. Add the butter and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and almond extract - beat for about 1 minute.

In a separate small bowl, mix together the sour cream and buttermilk.

On low speed, add half the flour mixture to butter/sugar - beat just to combine. Beat in sour cream/buttermilk and then finish off with remaining flour mixture.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 50 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted through the center comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and allow it to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use parchment paper overhang to remove cake from the pan - transfer to cooling rack. Cool completely before glazing.

Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and almond extract (if using). Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake, allowing glaze to drip over the edges.

meyer lemon pound cake | une gamine dans la cuisine

18 comments:

  1. this week I came across meyer lemons (its rare in Dallas) and made a bread - it was simply heavenly. its soo good! I bet this version is delicious as well.

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  2. Multiple slices in one day are certainly allowed :). Now you've just reminded me that I must make this again while I still have Meyers!

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  3. A lovely cake! I am a sucker for lemony treats of that kind.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. This cake is so beautiful Valerie! Gosh I love a lemon cake!

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  5. If I'm lucky enough to find Meyer lemons at my grocery store, I'll make this cake immediately. It looks divine. (P.S. I adore The Lady of Shalott.)

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  6. This would be an excellent antidote to the frigid temperatures I find myself in. Just perfect.

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  7. Lemons are the savior of a cold, dark winter. This is such a gorgeous recipe! We'll take some of your snow and cold here in Seattle!

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  8. Oh I love the little holes in it..like a great bread..Pretty pretty prettty.

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  9. ahhh, I just love your writing, and that is such a gorgeous cake! I want to eat the whole thing!

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  10. a slice of this would be great with tea today!

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  11. I absolutely adore lemons! Your pound cake is sooooo wonderful looking and I can only imagine how tasty a slice would be right now. Nicely done. Lovely photos!!

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  12. Your photos are lovely. Thank you for sharing,
    Kelly

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  13. I love, love, love lemon anything and everything. This looks absolutely delightful! Have missed you, V.

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  14. Beautiful cake! I have a Meyer lemon tree that has yielded many lemons this year so I need to make your recipe!

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  15. You had me ad Meyer Lemon!

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  16. I baked it last week with regular lemons. Unbelievable! And when I think how little fat there is in it and how little it costs, UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE! Thanks!!

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  17. Your recipe of meyer lemon pound cake is looking amazing and so yummy. I like it.

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  18. I love cakes and your recipe of lemon pound cake is looking so yummy.

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Thanks for visiting, and for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
If you have a recipe comment or question, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Baking!
♥ Valerie

 

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