I’m always a fan of moist, heavy pound cakes, and this combination of flavors sounds divine! The original recipe calls for whole spices, which are always superior (well, superior for flavor, but not superior for your finances), but if you don’t have whole vanilla & cardamom pods, just substitute a splash of vanilla extract and some ground cardamom. When I try this, I’ll measure how much cardamom I get from 3 pods, and update the recipe.
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 c. sugar
- 3/4 c. (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 c. (5 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 1 vanilla bean pod
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- thinly sliced almonds, to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350 F and generously coat a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom of the loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang. Coat the parchment paper with nonstick spray as well.
In medium bowl, sift together the flours, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
In electric mixer, combine butter and cream cheese until blended. Slowly beat in the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Crack open the cardamom pods and remove the black seeds. Using a mortar and pestle, grind the cardamom. Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla bean pod. Add the vanilla seeds and ground cardamom to the butter & cream cheese mixture. Mix until incorporated.
On medium-low speed, individually beat in each egg. Scrape down sides of bowl, then incorporate the almond extract.
Turn mixer speed to low, then slowly add the dry mix, beating until just incorporated.
Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Bake about 60-70 minutes, until top is golden brown, springs back when pressed, and toothpick in the center comes out clean. If the almonds start to brown too early, you can tent the cake with foil until it’s fully cooked through. If desired, serve with whipped cream, ice cream, and/or poached fruit.
Source: http://www.turntablekitchen.com/2013/10/cream-cheese-pound-cake-with-cardamom-vanilla-and-almonds/
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