Thursday, January 21, 2010

Heritage, It's More Than Just Cake~


Last week I bought myself a present. A new Bundt cake pan! I recently saw a photo of a cake made in this pan and knew I had to have one.


The recipe for this beautiful and delicious cake was included with the pan. It's moist and so delicious! Would you like to have a piece of cake and a cup of coffee with me?


The silver and china were my mother-in-law's. She loved to entertain her friends for coffee, tea and dessert and play cards all afternoon. The cake is lovely enough to serve on a paper plate too :)




Heritage Bundt Cake
Adapted from Williams Sonoma Kitchen
Printable Recipe

Serves 16

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar (I like to use Bakers Ultrafine Sugar)
4 eggs, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla extract*
1 teaspoon almond extract*
1 cup whole milk
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Advance Preparation – allow all ingredients to come to room temperature. Position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325F. Grease and flour the bundt pan, tapping out the excess flour. (I like to use very soft butter and a silicone basting brush to get in all of the crevices to grease the pan.)

In a large measuring bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

With an electric mixer using the flat beater, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth for approximately 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of he bowl occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add the eggs a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and beat until well incorporated. Reduce the speed to low and add 1/3 of the flour, then 1/2 of the milk, another 1/3 of the flour, 1/2 of the milk and then the final 1/3 of the flour, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl after mixing each addition.

Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading the batter so the sides are slightly higher than the center. Bake until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes.

Gently tap the pan on a counter or work surface to loosen the cake. Place a wire rack upside down over the top of the cake and turn the pan over onto the rack. Slowly lift the pan off of the cake and cool completely before serving. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

*Note - the original recipe called for 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Since I love the taste of almond extract, I decided to add it in addition to the vanilla and it tasted wonderful in this cake.

70 comments:

  1. I love the name of the silver service - very close to another name I know ;) The service set is gorgeous and what a wonderful heirloom to pass on.

    I love the shape of the new bundt cake pan - it makes for a stunning presentation on your beautiful china too.

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  2. What a gorgeous looking cake! I love the shape of it...

    Your silver service is gorgeous..we (sisters) have Moms and also a silver punch bowl set that we use for special occasions. I just love the look but HATE the polishing!! lol

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  3. I love your bundt cake...what a great shape...don't think I have seen that one yet! Your silver service teapot and coffee pot are beautiful! I think polishing is rewarding...with just a little effort you get a beautiful result, it's the little things in life for me :) lol

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  4. The shape of the cake is so unique and modern looking. It's a wonderful contrast to the heritage silver and accessories. A feast for the eyes.

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  5. What a wonderful cake pan! I've never seen this kind of a pan before. What a pretty cake too. Looks like the slices are all ready to be cut!
    I'll have to try and find one of these.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. I have cake pan envy! I've been drooling over the Heritage Pan for months!!!!!!!!! I'm going to have to break down and add it to my collection.

    And your silver service is absolutely stunning! Just gorgeous!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  7. This was absolutely beautiful. I love that cake pan how pretty, and perfect for coffee with friends. So nice of you to share!

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  8. Would love a slice of the cake and a cup of coffee. Your silver is beautiful! I go to the WS Outlet and stare at all the wonderful cookware, etc. - then I "come to" and realize I would not use all those wonderful tools now. :)
    Have a great weekend.

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  9. What a pretty cake! I love the new shaped bundt pans. Have a wonderful week!

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  10. A beautiful tea service ! And there is nothing like using it as well. "If you have it -- use it"!

    I saw that pan but didn't buy it, now I just may -- your cake looks lovely and perfect with a cup of tea.

    Yes, great minds do think alike -- my is an almond cake as well -- not originally either -- but I made it so!

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  11. Beautiful cake...love the china pattern...that's a lot of polishing to do on the gorgeous silver!

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  12. That Bundt cake pan is wonderful! The cake looks so cool.

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  13. Pretty cake, Susan! I love the different shapes of the Bundt pans!

    The silver is so beautiful! I love that it was passed down and will be again :) I have my grandma's things for my kids one day!

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  14. Yes, thank you! I'd love cake and coffee! While I'm here, I need a napkin so I won't drool on your bundt pan and that gorgeous silver. Thank you for the link to the pan--I am ready for a new cake pan, and I love this shape. Thank you for your warm welcome to Bandwith. He will enjoy being in the presence of fine cooks like yourself. He always has so many questions, and if it's not about books, I go, Uh, duh, um. Call your brother!

    :-)

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  15. I am not allowed into Williams-Sonoma. Either the store itself or their website. Way too dangerous an endeavor.

    This cake looks delicious! Good call adding the almond extract. Very good call.

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  16. That cake looks fabulous! Love your pretty silver service, too.

    Jane

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  17. Thanks, Marsha, good eyes :)

    How nice you have your mom's set Barb. I like to use Hagerty Silver Form, it works pretty quickly and effortlessly.

    Thank you, Kendra, Nancy Jane and Sheila. I hadn't seen this one until recently myself. I love the shape!

    I waited a few months before I broke down and bought one myself, Patricia :)

    Thank you, Sherri and Sandi!

    Go for it, Martha :)

    I so wish we had a WS outlet, Glenda. If we ever do get one, I probably won't need anything else either.

    Thanks for the compliment on the china, Mimi :)

    Hello and thanks, Tyler! Welcome to the world of cyber cooks :)

    Thanks, Carol! How wonderful that you have your grandmother's things to pass on.

    I should have pushed the napkin closer to your plate, Michael :) That Bandwidth is a cutie!

    I hear you, Joanne. I usually just go in and look and leave feeling like I could spend a fortune if I had one!

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  18. Oh that IS lovely! I will watch for it! I was in WS yesterday..
    Returned a tablecloth..the clerk asked, too small, too big or too stinky? The latter..it smelled like fuel oil. Must have been in the inks they used..

    The cake is just beautiful, and the silver..what a wonderful gift you received.

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  19. Susan, I can see why you wanted the cake pan. I remember seeing the cake recently either on a forum or blog (just can't remember which one) and it caught my eye. However, I don't recall seeing a slice of it. I love the "lines" of it, almost like a modern sculpture.

    My SIL has my MIL's Strasbourg tea service and tray. She also has her Strasbourg sterling silverware ... 16 place settings and lots of serving pieces. I've always admired the pattern. Very classic ...

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  20. The cake is amazing... that you got it out perfectly is even more amazing... great work... my first visit here... lovely site!!!

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  21. Thank you, Jane!

    Kathleen, that is so funny that she asked if the tablecloth was too stinky! I think you need the pan :)

    Thank you, Eileen!

    Cynthia, I have the Strasbourg silverware from my MIL also. I love it.

    Thank you, LostPastRemembered! I was holding my breath as I pulled the pan off of the cake :)

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  22. Your silver service is absolutely fantastic !
    And your cake !!!
    It's too beautifull

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  23. Oh, yes, I would love to come by for coffee and cake! I saw the bundt pan at WS and if I had known how beautiful the cake would be...well, I couldn't have resisted. Your silver service is a treasure. How lucky you are to have it.

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  24. ciao Susan!! aspettami per colazione domani mattina arrivo per gustare questa delizia!!!

    Complimenti!

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  25. That's a beautiful cake! I've had my eye on that pan for a while now too. I should treat myself to it one of these days. Gorgeous tea service too!

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  26. Oh my gosh, that is a gorgeous cake!! I have GOT to get me one of these pans!!

    -Amy
    www.singforyoursupperblog.com

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  27. Merci, Chapot ;)

    Cathy, it would be wonderful to share a cup of coffee and piece of cake you with!

    Grazie, Federica!

    Welcome, Lisa and Amy and thank you both.

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  28. I plan to fix this recipe and noticed the amount of sugar say 1-102. I am thinking this means 1-1/2 but thought I would check. Thanks for the reminder that we don't have to wait for special occasions to get out the "good dishes."
    -Wendy

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  29. Susan, this is absolutely beautiful. I saw this photo on Tastespotting and wondered how you'd cut it--if you'd try to follow the spirals or not. I like the shape of the piece the way you cut it.

    Can we have tea? I love the silver service. It's so nice to have things from family.

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  30. Wendy, thank you for pointing that out! Yes, 1-1/2 cups of sugar! I've fixed it now.

    Thank you, Kate! Yes, tea it is ;)

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  31. I have way too many bundt pans but I can't resist buying them. And this pan is a must in my kitchen...gorgeous cake!

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  32. AWESOME!!! recipe, bundt cakes are my favorite and with tea.
    Come by and visit so you can enter my GREAT!!! giveaway.
    Geri

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  33. Wow the cake is beautiful! Great buy!

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  34. GW >>>>> GoodWill :)

    You have a beautiful blog and I am tickled you visited mine. I think I may have to just have that fabulous bundt pan. Seems I always use mine in the fall for some reason and no other time of the year. But I am thinking that gorgeous pan would be pretty used for an Easter cake. :) Happy Silver Sunday.

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  35. I truly love your silver. And the bundt cake is beautiful. And you are right, it's patina, not tarnish...julie

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  36. That cake looks wonderful! And such a beautiful tea service. Love it! Happy SS!

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  37. Oh My! that teas service is a beauty! And....? When can I come over for cake?

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  38. I've never seen a silver serving set quite like that. It's so beautiful.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  39. Your server set is magnificent..so so pretty and I am glad you are enjoying it.
    That cake sounds like one I would die for....gotta have that pan. Thanks for the link to get one.
    I'll let you know if I do....:)
    I am signing up to follow. Please stop by my place when you can..
    xo bj

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  40. What a beautiful silver serving set. How lucky to have the gorgeous coffee pot, tea pot and cream and sugar bowl. I can picture your mother-in-law using it at her bridge afternoons (I have fond memories of my mom's bridge club dates).
    Jane

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  41. Gorgeous cake! It came out perfectly! Gorgeous silver service...love all the details. Thanks too for the recipe...I'm going to try it! Thanks for sharing all your goodies!

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  42. What a wonderful gift from your MIL! Beautiful!

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  43. Thanks, Michelle! There is no such thing as too many Bundt pans ;)

    Thank you HeartandSoul, Ann, and Lynn (I’m always amazed at wonderful GW finds). Lucy, Ceekay, Lucy and Dick, BlessedMom – thank you for your comments!

    BJ, thanks for stopping by too, also Jane, Sharlotte, and Vanilla143 - thank you for stopping by today.

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  44. The silver service is very beautiful! I also love your new cake pan! The cake has such a wonderful shape and looks very delicious!

    Wishing you a wonderful Silver Sunday!

    xoxo,
    Julia

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  45. HI Susan
    Thanks for popping over my way... you know I love your stunning silver pieces... but you cake looks like a work of art itself. how clever you are... in fact it is truly giving me envy as I have a wheat allergy... boo hoo.. haha Thanks for the recipe I may pass it on to friends.. Julie

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  46. Your silver service is the perfect compliment to your delicious looking bundt cake.....Thanks for coming...see you next Sunday!
    {{gypsy hugs}}
    Beth

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  47. EVERYTHING looks delicious .. the silver, the cake ... everything! and a recipe to boot, too 'sweet' of you ... thanks!

    xo
    Jill

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  48. Good morning. I stopped by to say hi for silver sunday, but saw saw much more that I liked. I am a caterer and I will be back in just a little bit to explore all your older posts. I can't wait. Thanks for posting.

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  49. so simple and beautiful...looks really delicious!!!

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  50. Beautiful CAKE, & silver tea stuff. I love it all. And anything made with 2 cups of butter would have to be good! Happy Silver Sunday. Charlene

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  51. Your silver is BEAUTIFUL. wonderful cake. TFS, Happy Silver Sunday!

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  52. oh i am one happy girl now that i have found your blog! yummmmie x pam

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  53. Love this Service Set, anyone would Love a Cup of Tea from this....
    cheryl

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  54. Thanks for your visit today, ladies! It was a fun event :)

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  55. Awesome cake pan! And your silver service is incredible. Sorry my Sunday Silver visit is so late but I do love your silver post!
    xoxo...Kathy

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  56. Beautiful cake. I am off to WS for the pan.
    I also have a Silver Set from my mother-in-law. Aren't we lucky!
    Lovely post.
    Pam

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  57. I saw that pan and loved it too! Thank goodness I don't have a WS close enough for me to drop in :-) Your coffee/tea service is just beautiful. Love the squattiness of the teapot. Your mother in law must really love you :-)

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  58. Beautiful cake, beautiful silver service, beautiful picture!
    Congrats!

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  59. Had to pop over here to see this cake...Wow! I must have one of those cake pans :)

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  60. Ciao, Susan :-) Sto curiosando nel tuo blog e ho visto questo post che mi ha letteralmente incantato! La torta ha la forma più bella che abbia mai visto, sono rimasta a bocca aperta! E le foto sono meravigliose, complimenti!!!

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  61. Grazie, Lucia :) nd thank you, also, Magic of Spice and everyone else for your generous comments!

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  62. Wow! Gorgeous looking cake, I wish I could have this pan.

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  63. That is one of the coolest looking cakes I have ever seen!!

    Follow me @:
    http://ladyonaroof.blogspot.com/

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  64. What a magnificent cake....!
    I just love your blog and will be back soon.
    I'm so glad I found you via Monique.
    Shel

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  65. I love that pan...had to buy one the first time I saw it. Amazon is my best friend! Keeping the cake recipe also...what a great "crumb" the cake has.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, William! This is one of my favorite bundt recipes and this bundt pan really shows it off beautifull.

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