When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberries

Although it's been a while since a "When Life Gives You Lemons" post, our lemon tree hasn't slowed in production. It must be a happy tree, just sitting there in the sun, watching the neighborhood kids ride by on their roller things. It NEVER slows in the amount of lemons it produces. Though sometimes they may be odd sizes, they always taste like, well...lemons.

Last Easter weekend I was feeling the need for some lemon baking and found this recipe for Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberries. I happened to have all the ingredients and got to work. The cake is moist and lemony and delicious. This recipe makes a small amount, so use a small baking dish--it's actually a "just right" amount.



For cake
1 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For glaze
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Make cake:
Preheat oven to 325°F. and butter and flour a 1-quart kugelhopf pan, knocking out excess flour (I used a loaf pan).

In a bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and zest. In another bowl with an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla. Beat in half of flour mixture. Beat in milk and lemon juice and beat in remaining flour mixture until just combined. 

Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top, and bake in middle of oven 45 to 55 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a tester comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a rack 15 minutes and invert onto rack to cool completely. 

Make glaze while cake is cooling:
In a small bowl whisk confectioners's sugar, a little at a time, into lemon juice until smooth and thick.

When cake is completely cooled, drizzle glaze over cake and let it drip down sides. Cake may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. 

Serve cake at room temperature with strawberries.

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Reasons to Celebrate: Bloody Mary Brunch

I'd like to tell you a little about my grandmother...GrandMary, as she's fondly known to me, my family and my friends, is one fine lady. Her natural handwriting could pass for calligraphy; she has a delightful Texas accent; her purse and shoes always match her clothing choice; snail mail is her preferred method of communication; she sends Texas Lottery tickets on Valentine's Day with a note to send her winning half back; and, at 82, she throws parties called "Bloody Mary Brunch" just because she likes her friends. She's great. And I'm one lucky granddaughter.



I was thrilled when GrandMary called me to request some fun invitations to her Bloody Mary Brunch. The venue was somewhat of a refined country atmosphere, so I immediately thought of using gingham fabric (a pattern that I will always associate with her).




















Pinking shears, textured cream paper, and craft paper envelopes completed the invite and they were on their way to Texas to be addressed by Mary herself!

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