Delicious Glazed Almond Pound Cake Recipe
Ladies and Gentlemen, I must admit that as a chef specializing in British cuisine, there is nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked pound cake wafting through my kitchen. It is the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a casual afternoon tea with friends or a special celebration. Today, I am thrilled to share with you my recipe for Glazed Almond Pound Cake. This recipe is the epitome of everything you could want in cake – tender, buttery and bursting with the rich flavor of almonds.
This pound cake recipe is elevated to new heights by the inclusion of almond paste and extract, which imparts a lovely nutty aroma to the cake. With its deliciously moist texture and irresistible almond glaze, this cake is sure to leave everyone wanting more. The recipe is simple and can be easily executed at home by bakers of all levels.
I believe that there is something distinctly captivating about a bundt cake. The shape gives it an undeniable sense of elegance and nostalgia that I truly adore. The sunken center perfectly houses the pooling glaze, allowing it to soak in slowly while further intensifying the flavors.
So without further ado, let us get baking and create a gorgeous glazed almond bundt cake that will impress anyone who has the good fortune to enjoy it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Greetings, my dear readers. Allow me to introduce to you the most delectable and divine creation to ever grace your palate – the Glazed Almond Pound Cake. This pound cake recipe is everything you need to satisfy your cravings for an almond-flavored dessert that will leave you wanting more.
Why should you love this recipe? Let me count the ways. First and foremost, it’s incredibly easy to make. The ingredients are easy to gather, and the preparation is straightforward. This recipe requires only simple baking techniques, so even amateur bakers can bake like a pro!
But what makes this almond pound cake stand out from the rest is its amazing flavor and texture. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
The delicate aroma of almond extract combined with the moist and buttery texture of the cake will transport you to pastry heaven. And let’s not forget about the irresistible almond glaze that adds an extra layer of sweetness and nuttiness.
This Glazed Almond Pound Cake can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite tea or coffee. It’s perfect for any occasion – afternoon tea parties, desserts after dinner, or just whenever your sweet tooth starts calling your name.
In summary, there are many reasons why you’ll love this recipe. From its simplicity in preparation to its heavenly taste and texture, it has everything you could want from a dessert. So go ahead – treat yourself to this sumptuous cake and indulge in all its almond glory!
Ingredient List
Cake Ingredients:
– 2 cups cake flour, sifted
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, softened
– 8 oz. (226g) almond paste, cubed
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 3 large eggs
– 1 tsp pure almond extract
– 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
Glaze Ingredients:
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2 tbsp milk
– 1/4 tsp pure almond extract
– Sliced almonds for garnish
Note: For baking, it is important to accurately measure the ingredients. Use a baker’s measure or a digital scale if possible.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Prep Work
To start with, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). You want your oven to be hot and ready when you’re ready to bake the cake. Also, grease a 10-inch bundt pan.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
Now, let’s make the cake batter. First, in a mixing bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. These three ingredients are important as they help give the cake its structure and leavening.
In another bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and almond paste until fluffy. Then, gradually add powdered sugar and beat until well combined.
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by sour cream and almond extract. Continue beating until everything is smooth and creamy.
Finally, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix or the cake will become dense and tough.
Step 3: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once done, cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a platter.
Step 4: Make the Glaze
To make the glaze, simply whisk together confectioners’ sugar, amaretto liqueur, almond extract, vanilla extract, milk, and water in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Step 5: Glaze the Cake
Now that your cake is cooled slightly and still warm to touch., simply take a pastry brush to spread glaze over top of the cake. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes before adding more glaze if needed.
Step 6: Serve it up
Serve your glazed almond pound cake warm or at room temperature with some garnish of sliced almonds and some whipped cream if you like. Enjoy the sweet and nutty flavor!
Substitutions and Variations
Dearest reader, as you are about to embark upon the journey of creating this delectable glazed almond pound cake, I wish to offer you some suggestions to make this recipe your own. You may find that some of the ingredients listed in the recipe do not align with your personal preferences or are unavailable. Fret not, for here are some substitutions and variations that will still yield a tantalizing treat:
– For an alcohol-free version, replace the amaretto liqueur with a mixture of 1 tablespoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon milk.
– If cake flour is not accessible to you, swap it out for all-purpose flour while following the same measurement of 2 cups.
– Are you looking to cut calories or cholesterol? No trouble. Substitute unsweetened applesauce for half of the butter quantity or utilize low-fat sour cream instead of the full-fat alternative.
– Not a fan of almond paste? Fear not. A worthy replacement is 1 cup of almond flour mixed with ¼ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter.
– Do you have an orange or cherry lying around? Jazz up your glazed almond bundt cake by adding one teaspoon orange or cherry extract in place of one teaspoon of almond extract.
– Bored of traditional glazed almond pound cake? Attempt making a lemon-almond version by replacing one cup of cake flour with lemon-almond flour or add a teaspoon of lemon zest into the batter for a tangy flavor profile.
Whether you decide to make substitutions or keep to the original recipe, I assure you that this pound cake will be a crowd pleaser. Divine delicacies await!
Serving and Pairing
Once this Glazed Almond Pound Cake is baked, glazed and cooled to room temperature, it’s time to slice and serve with your favorite hot cuppa tea. This cake is perfect for tea time or for any occasion really, may it be an afternoon tea party with friends, a cozy family gathering or a special celebration.
Although this cake is rich and sweet on its own with its buttery moist texture and almond flavors, you can elevate its taste by pairing it up with complementary flavors. You can enjoy a slice of Almond Pound Cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top or you can serve it alongside fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries. The tartness of these berries will balance out the sweetness of the cake, creating an indulgent combination of flavors in every bite.
If you want to take things up a notch, why not pair a slice of Almond Bundt Cake with dessert wine like port, sherry or moscato. The nutty notes from the almond paste and glaze in this cake will complement the fruitiness and richness of the dessert wine, providing a delightful harmony of flavors that will leave your palate craving for more.
Whether you want to keep it simple or go all out, serving suggestions for this Glazed Almond Pound Cake are versatile and endless.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
My dearest reader, I know how important it is to have a recipe that you can make ahead and store for later. Luckily, this Glazed Almond Pound Cake Recipe is perfect for that! In fact, it is best made a day ahead so that the flavors can meld together.
When it comes to storing this cake, you’ll want to make sure that it is completely cooled before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can then be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer to keep it in the fridge, go ahead and do so for up to a week.
For reheating the cake, I recommend placing it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until it’s warmed through. You could also opt to microwave each cake slice for about 10-15 seconds on high heat, making sure not to overdo it as the edges can become tough when overheated.
Lastly, if you are preparing in bulk and want to freeze your almond pound cake, simply wrap tightly with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil before doing so. This cake will last up to 3 months in the freezer but ensure you defrost it first before reheating according to the methods stated above.
With these handy tips at your fingertips, storing and reheating your make-ahead Glazed Almond Pound Cake Recipe will be a piece of (almond-flavored) cake!
Tips for Perfect Results
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I have a few tips to help you make the perfect glazed almond pound cake for any occasion. Follow these tips to make sure that your cake is moist, buttery, and full of almond flavor.
1. Use high-quality ingredients: When making a pound cake or any recipe, it’s essential to use quality ingredients. Using unsalted butter, fresh eggs, and good quality cake flour will ensure that your cake has a tender crumb and rich flavor.
2. Cream the butter and sugar properly: Creaming is an essential step when making a pound cake as it incorporates air into the batter, creating a light and fluffy texture. Make sure the butter is softened but not melted before creaming it with the sugar using an electric mixer.
3. Measure with precision: Baking is a science, and even small variations can affect the final outcome. Use precise bakers measure (and not cups) to ensure accurate measurements of ingredients like powdered sugar and flour.
4. Do not overmix the batter: Over-mixing will result in a dense cake. To avoid this, mix only until all ingredients are combined but be careful not to overdo it.
5. Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing: While it may be tempting to drizzle some glaze on top while it’s still warm, doing so will cause the glaze to melt into the cake instead of forming a beautiful coating on top.
6. Garnish with sliced almonds: Add some crunch texture by garnishing your glazed almond pound cake with some sliced almonds before serving.
By following these tips for perfect results, your glazed almond pound cake will be sure to impress everyone at your next gathering!
Bottom Line
:
In conclusion, this glazed almond pound cake recipe is a must-try for all dessert lovers. Not only is it easy to make with its straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, but it also offers a unique twist on the classic pound cake by incorporating almond flavors.
The glaze made with amaretto liqueur and powdered sugar adds an extra layer of sweetness to the already buttery and tender pound cake. Plus, with the addition of almond paste and almond extract, this cake is sure to satisfy anyone’s craving for almonds.
Whether you serve it alongside your morning coffee or as a showstopper dessert for your next gathering, this glazed almond pound cake will undoubtedly impress your guests.
Don’t just take my word for it – try this recipe out yourself and see why it has become a staple in many households. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Glazed Almond Pound Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup vanilla sugar (Vanilla $notetemplate1$)
- 2 ounces almond paste, finely crumbled
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups cake flour, sifted
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 -4 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°.
- Grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
- Beat butter at medium speed till creamy add almond paste and beat additional minute add sugar a little at a time while beating till all is incorporated about 5 minutes. Being sure to scrape sides of bowl while mixing. Add eggs 1 at a time beating just until blended.
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- Add flour to batter alternating with sour cream till just blended in on low speed.
- Pour into pan and bake in lower third of oven for 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack till pan is cool enough to handle, remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Serve as is or top with Almond glaze.
- Glaze: Mix sugar with a little liquor at a time till a soft smooth consistency.
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.