GIFT IDEA #20-SOMETHING HOMEMADE

Homemade is defined as:

something made in the home by one's own effort

Homemade items conjure warmth and thoughtfulness. If you’re looking for a slightly inexpensive gift that will will wow the receiver, make something homemade. Word of caution, if you are not a baker or adept around the kitchen you might want to skip this gift idea. I wouldn’t suggest this as your experimentation time and also stay away from allergens such as nuts & berries.

I decided to make homemade pound cakes for my co-workers. Its something that I like to eat and its comfort food. I found the perfect recipe on Epicurious

Elvis Presley’s Favorite Pound Cake

INGREDIENTS:
2 sticks(1cup) unsalted butter, softened plus additional for buttering pan
3 cups sifted cake flour (NOT SELF RISING; SIFT BEFORE MEASURING) plus additional for dusting
¾ tsp salt
3 cups sugar
7 large eggs at room temp
2 tsp vanilla(I prefer Nielsen-Massey they're based in Chicago suburb)
1 cup heavy cream

PREPARATION:
Put oven rack in middle position, but do no preheat oven

Generously butter pan* and dust with flour

Sift together Sifted flour(3 cups) and salt into a bowl. Repeat sifting into another bowl(sift flour total 3 times)

Beat together butter (2 sticks) and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer** at med-high speed until pale and fluffy(5 minutes in stand mixer,6-8min with handheld mixer). Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour, all of cream, then remaining flour, mixing well after each addition. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes, batter will become creamier and satiny.

Spoon batter into pan and rap against surface to eliminate air bubbles. Place pan in cold(non-preheated) oven and turn the oven to 350F Bake until Golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out with few crumbs(about 1-1.25hours) Cool cake in pan on a rack for 30minutes. Run a thin knife around the inner and outer edges of the cake then invert rack over pan and cool completely.

Voila! you are ready to present a homemade, edible treat that will go well with morning coffee, afternoon tea or just a midday snack.

*the recipe calls for a 10-inch tube or bundt pan but you can use any kind you wish.
**if you don't have a kitchen aid mixer, its ok to use a handheld mixer