Triple Vanilla Pound Cake with Glaze
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I had a tough time parting with this Triple Vanilla Pound Cake with Glaze. It was incredible. Each slice was moist, sweetened by three layers of vanilla flavors and made heavenly with a pristine vanilla icing that enveloped the entire loaf cake. I could barely resist this divinity when I saw the tiny specks from the vanilla pod on the virginal white glossy icing. Can you blame me if I wanted to keep it all to myself?
I baked this Vanilla Pound Cake for friends who had no power, no gas in their cars and were shivering in the cold with no heat. A heavy snow storm was in the forecast right after Storm Sandy here in the east coast. Another storm was not convenient. One of my remedies to trying times is to bake and share it with friends. This Vanilla Pound Cake was for friends whose patience was running thin from the lack of everything around us.
While waiting out the storm, it was sheer joy to read “Pure Vanilla” by Shauna Sever sent by the folks at Quirk Books. I’ve baked with vanilla and never gave it much thought. But now, this vanilla cookbook opened a whole new world of baking possibilities for me.
What is Vanilla Sugar? The cookbook Pure Vanilla shows how to make it and its versatility. I tried making a jar and I got hooked. Open a jar of Vanilla Sugar , and the whiff of vanilla scents clutch at you, first mildly then gradually stronger. You’ll wonder why you never made vanilla sugar before. Every concoction I made with Vanilla Sugar tasted real, whole, sweet yet full-bodied.
Pure Vanilla has 80 delectable recipes of cakes, custards, candies, snacks all centered on vanilla. Some recipes use layers of vanilla flavors and it is magnificent. Recipes are easy to follow and the selections are a mix of easy favorites and heirloom vanilla-based ideas. A history of vanilla and its origins is very helpful. There are vanilla facts and trivia you never knew before and together with the gorgeous photos will add a new perspective to your baking.
In the end, I opened the cookbook again and kept baking more vanilla goodies from it. I baked Vanilla Snaps, made Vanilla waffles and a second Vanilla Pound Cake. Everything was simply vanilla-rich and vanilla-licious!
Triple Vanilla Pound Cake with Glaze
Equipment
- Oven-proof Loaf Pan : 9 x 5 inches
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups Homemade Vanilla Sugar (recipe is on page 69 of the cookbook)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean caviar from a vanilla bean
- 3 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for the glaze
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean caviar for glaze (from a vanilla bean)
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons buttermilk at room temperature, for glaze
- 1 Tablespoon softened unsalted butter for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Prepare a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Grease with cooking spray at the bottom and sides. Place a parchment paper in the bottom.
- Sift together flour, salt and baking soda in a bowl.
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the vanilla sugar, vanilla extract and vanilla caviar on medium high speed for 2 minutes. The mixture should look light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, 1 at a time till smooth.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and add buttermilk. Slowly add the flour mixture. Keep mixing.
- Turn off the stand mixer and finish stirring batter by hand until completely mixed. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 325 F degrees for 60 to 65 minutes or test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes or more. Before putting the glaze on top, make sure loaf cake is thoroughly cooled.
- To make the glaze: While cake is cooling, whisk together sugar, vanilla caviar and buttermilk. Add in butter by whisking until glaze is smooth. (If you’re just learning to bake with a vanilla bean, do not get alarmed by the dark specks from the caviar you will scrape off. This is an indication you just flavored your glaze with a most delightful flavoring).
- To frost the cake: Place the loaf cake on a wire rack that’s over a large baking sheet. Place a piece of foil on the baking sheet for easy clean up.
- Slowly pour the glaze over the cake. Use a spatula to smooth and spread the glaze well over the top. The semi liquid-creamy consistency of the glaze will dribble down slowly on the sides of the loaf cake.
- The author suggested to let the cake stand at least 1 hour, till the cake has cooled and glaze has set, before slicing.
- PURE VANILLA, Irresistable Recipes and Essential Techniques by Shauna Sever. Available at Quirk Books or where most books are sold. Hardcover, 80 recipes, 160 pages $22.95
- Disclosure : No compensation was received to review this book. But I will gladly recommend this cookbook to anyone who enjoys vanilla-based recipes.
Oh my oh my… the vanilla glaze! Triple = vanilla heaven! I didn’t really pay much attention to vanilla (flavor) until my son started to go crazy with vanilla. It was never been my pick on ice cream or anything when it comes to vanilla. Now he made me love vanilla so much. I even pick vanilla shakes, vanilla ice cream, and all vanilla stuff. Your cake looks so yum!
Thanks for the kind comments, Nami! Yes, this Triple Vanilla Pound cake with Vanilla Glaze was such a treat! I have never enjoyed vanilla like I did in this cake. You must get a copy of the book. It is terrific!
wow that sounds and looks incredible Elisabeth. Vanilla is cheap here and I have been wanting to buy some, but again I forgot to the other day. Maybe my plant will grow me some soon. ^.^
Thanks for sharing your tempting recipe with us!
Hi Helene! How amazing that you have access to vanilla at a very low price! You must make the Vanilla Sugar and then try this recipe. You will love it! Thanks for the nice comments ~ your kind support is so much appreciated 🙂
I love the aroma and flavor of vanilla and this cake is sure to be a hit at my place! We are huge vanilla fans.
Your cake looks SUPERB!
Thanks, Asmita! Yes, this Triple Vanilla Pound cake was superb. I owe it to Shauna Sever’s “Pure Vanilla” cookbook which is a gem for all vanilla lovers out there, including you. Thanks for the blog-visit!
I LOVE vanilla. I also love this book, although I have not used it yet. I would have a hard time parting with this cake too!
Hi Laura, for you, I will bake this Triple Vanilla Pound Cake ! I am blessed by your friendship and kind support and good friends deserve to be gifted with good cakes! Thanks for stopping by always!
This is a cookbook after my own heart. Love vanilla!
Thanks, Paula! I did think of you when I was pouring the Vanilla Sugar in the recipe. You must get “Pure Vanilla” by Shauna Sever. It’s a keeper 🙂 One of those treasures you will keep going back to over and over again. Happy Holidays & thanks for the blog visit.
You’re right, those tiny vanilla seeds are so irresistible, aren’t they? I must confess we love vanilla and always have some vanilla sugar at home for all sorts of things! This cake will go down a treat here!
Thanks, LinsFood. This vanilla glaze was totally irresistable. The ‘caviar’ from the vanilla bean pods were so fragrant and amazing. Thanks for stopping by. Happy Holidays!