While organizing my pantry I found a christmas tree cake pan, I just could not resist preparing a tree cake or 4. I love this time of year, Sydney and I bake our hearts out and give treats to everyone we know. I relish watching friends and family as they realize a gift of food has been prepared for them. Designed especially for their palate, to bring back a memory of a special christmas past.
This particular cake was prepared with DF in mind. He had been asking Sydney and I for a lemon poppy seed cake; it seemed apropos to shape his cake with the Christmas Tree pan. I don’t believe I have ever met another human being so enthralled with the christmas season. He starts watching Christmas movies in July, brings all the trimmings for decorating the house early on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, and will only shop for gifts on Christmas Eve. He continues to give back to the community throughout the season not only with gifts, but his time and his heart.
Poppy Seed Lemon Pound Cake:
- 180 grams/1 ½-cups of all-purpose flour
- 150grams/1 ½-cups of cake flour
- 9 grams/2-teaspoon baking powder
- 1-teaspoon salt
- 226 grams/1-cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1-vanilla bean
- 400 grams/ 2-cups sugar
- 1-teaspoon lemon zest
- 4-large eggs, at room temperature
- 244 grams/1-cup milk
- 1-teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-Tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1-Tablespoon lemon zest
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare your mise en place, spray and flour the Christmas tree pan.
In a small bowl, sift the flours, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and vanilla bean until smooth.
Add zest, poppy seeds, and the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, each time scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Cream the batter for 1 1/2 minutes after all the eggs have been added.
Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla, beginning and ending with the flour.
With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended.
Carefully pour the batter into the cake pan, filling the pan about 3/4 full.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when gentle pressed in the center.
Cool the cake for 10 minutes. Invert on a wire rack before icing.
Icing:
- 2-Tablespoons limoncello
- 2-Tablespoon vallina liqueur
- 120 grams, 1-cup icing sugar
- 2½ Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2-teaspoon poppy seeds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- boughs of holly candy, optional
Place the sugar, poppy seeds, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Wisk as you add half the liqueurs. Keep adding the liqueurs until desired consistency.
Drizzle over the cake and sprinkle boughs of holly decorations. If you prefer not to use liqueur substitute with lemon extract and water.
Very pretty. DF is a lucky guy with a big heart.
The cake recipe does look delicious and I really like the inclusion of the limoncello in the icing drizzle. I am glad you spied that pan in the cabinet and decided to use it. The cake looks so festive and makes for an awesome presentation.
DF does have the right idea on how to spending the holidays!