A fragrant pound cake featuring cinnamon basil and three kinds of ginger.
Servings 12servings
Author Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay
Ingredients
3cupsall-purpose flour
1tablespoonbaking powder
2teaspoonssalt
12ouncesbutter (3 sticks)
2½cupsgranulated sugar
6whole, large eggs
¾cuphalf & half cream
2teaspoonsvanilla
2teaspoonsground ginger
1½tablespoonspeeled and grated fresh ginger
½cupminced crystallized ginger
2tablespoonsfinely chopped cinnamon basil (do not chop until ready to add to batter)
powdered sugar to dust top of cake
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 325°F. Grease well a 10-cup bundt pan or 2 large loaf pans; dust with flour, removing excess by tapping against side.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl, mixing well with a wire whip; set aside.
In electric mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one or two at a time, mixing well.
Combine half & half cream with vanilla, then add to creamed mixture alternately with dry ingredients. When completely mixed, beat in gingers and basil.
Pour batter into prepared pan(s), smoothing tops with rubber spatula; tap pans lightly on counter to settle and eliminate air pockets. Bake until cakes pull away from sides of pan and tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
Cool in pans on rack about 10 minutes before turning out to cool completely. Dust top of cake with sifted powdered sugar before serving. Cake may be wrapped well and frozen for 1 month.