All-occasion Vanilla Pound Cake

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
• 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 tablespoon potato starch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sour cream (8 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 tablespoon amaretto
• 1 tablespoon rum
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whiskey
• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
• 3 cups superfine sugar
• 1 vanilla bean
• 5 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Recipe

• 1 place a rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°f.
• 2 in a large mixing bowl, combine flour with potato starch, vanilla powder, salt, and baking soda and whisk gently to blend.
• 3 in another large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and liquors and whisk gently to combine.
• 4 add butter and sugar to the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment; slice open vanilla pod and scrape in black seeds and begin blending on low speed.
• 5 after 2-3 minutes, add eggs and extra yolk, one at a time, waiting until each is fully incorporated before adding next egg.
• 6 continuing on low speed, alternately add dry and wet mixtures, little by little (move swiftly through this step to avoid overworking the batter, it should take no more than 1 minute).
• 7 stop mixer, scrape down sides of bowl and along bottom and mix on medium speed for 15 to 20 seconds, until batter is consistenly smooth.
• 8 spray a large (11 1/2 cup) bundt pan with an oil/starch spray; fill pan three-quarters full and level it with a rubber spatula (use any leftover batter for cupcakes).
• 9 bake 45 minutes; test for doneness by inserting a bamboo skewer into center and removing it: when skewer shows just a touch of crumbs, remove cake from oven and cool for 5 to 10 minutes on a flat surface.
• 10 remove cake from pan and allow to cool completely.
• 11 sprinkle with powdered sugar, serve with whipped cream and berries, if desired.