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[donotprint]Are you a fan of eggnog? I’m a big fan of items flavored with eggnog, but could never actually drink a glass of it. Actually the thought of drinking eggnog kind of revolts me. Keep in mind I don’t like milk either, unless of course it’s poured over Lucky Charms.
However, I caught the festive holiday bug and ending up purchasing a carton of it a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say, it sat unopened in my refrigerator until yesterday when I decided I either needed to use it or toss it. I decided to do some online searching for recipes that utilized a random supply of eggnog, then it hit me and I had my game plan!
I remembered a glorious eggnog pound cake that graced the cover of Flo Braker’s book, Baking For All Occasions. By the way, this cookbook is a splendid and comprehensive collection of delicious recipes. Flo’s precise directions make this cookbook the perfect addition to any baker’s bookshelf, I just wish it had more photos.
Okay, back to the eggnog pound cake. The batter was seriously divine and was beautifully flecked with the raisins that I swapped in for the currants. The flavor of the baked cake was really tasty, it just didn’t have as much eggnog flavor as the batter did. If I make this again, I think I would add in a bit more nutmeg, just to kick it up a notch. The crystal rum glaze was the perfect addition and definitely gave the cake some character. If you have some extra eggnog hanging out in your fridge, this is definitely a great way to use it up! Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!
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Eggnog Pound Cake
Ingredients
- Scant 1/2 cup dried currants I used raisins
- 2 tablespoons dark rum or water
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg preferably freshly grated
- 8 ounces unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup store-bought refrigerated rather than canned eggnog
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons dark rum
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- 1. In a small bowl, combine the currants and rum and set aside to macerate for 15 minutes. Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) or 325°F (160°C) if the pan has a dark finish). Butter a 10-by-3-inch Bundt pan, lightly coat it with nonstick spray, then flour it, tapping out the excess flour. Or, butter and flour a 10-by-4 1/4-inch tube pan with or without a removable bottom. Have all of the ingredients at room temperature.
- 2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg onto a sheet of waxed paper; set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-low speed until creamy and smooth, 30 to 45 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the sugar in a steady stream and continue to beat on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- 3. With the mixer still on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition until incorporated and stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. On the lowest speed, add the flour mixture in four additions alternately with the eggnog in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and mixing after each addition until incorporated. Stop the mixer as needed to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla during the final moments of mixing.
- 4. Detach the paddle and bowl from the mixer, and tap the paddle against the side of the bowl to free the excess batter. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the currants and any remaining rum. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with the spatula.
- 5. Bake the cake just until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center and the sides are beginning to come away from the pan, 55 to 65 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
For the crystal rum glaze
- 1. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, rum, and water and stir with a rubber spatula just until blended.
- 2. Without delay, tilt and rotate the cake pan while gently tapping it on a counter to release the cake sides. Invert a wire rack on top of the cake, invert the cake onto it, and carefully lift off the pan. Slide a sheet of waxed paper under the rack to catch any drips from the glaze. Using a pastry brush, coat the top and sides of the warm cake with all of the glaze. Let the cake cool completely before serving.
- 3. To serve, slide the base of a tart pan, a small rimless baking sheet, or a large offset spatula under the cake and carefully transfer it to a serving platter. Cut the cake into thin slices with a sharp or serrated knife.
I baked and wrote about this cake a few weeks ago. It is unbelievably tasty. The rum glaze puts it over the top!
Yay! Finally found something I can do with an almost full carton of eggnog that I bought. :D (I’d never had it before and wanted to try it, but it turns out the kind I bought – or maybe all eggnog in general – had waaaaaay too many spices/rum for my liking.)
Really? Eggnog! HOLY CAKE heaven. I love this! I love the rum glaze!
I’m with you–no eggnog for drinking!! And milk only for Lucky Charms (or Cocoa Pebbles). This cake looks GORGEOUS!! Great use of eggnog :)
Gracious this sounds yummy!
Thank you — I have been waiting for this recipe! :)
Sounds delightful and very festive, Jamie!
Wow, now I’m wishing we hadn’t finished the eggnog last night. Yum! This looks like pretty much the best kind of cake ever.
I think I could eat a few slices of this and I’m not a huge eggnog fan, but when you make it like this.. yum!
I can handle a couple of sips of eggnog, then it becomes too much. Eggnog cake sounds awesome though! I also think eggnog ice cream would be fantastic, maybe next year!