Thursday, January 26, 2012

Vanilla Pound Cake - A guest post by Sharmilee

I've been getting a good amount of e-mails from all of you asking about my absence here.Well,as I kept replying to all,everything's just fine and I'll be back with a bang soon,hopefully.Till then,I am inviting a few popular food bloggers(and friends)to do guest posts here so that I can feed the blog as well as keep you updated.


Here's the first one from Sharmilee,who blogs at Sharmi's Passions.As you all know,her posts are gorgeous,filled with step by step pics and pics of dishes which leave you drooling.She has aptly chosen a Pound cake for Easycooking readers,so go on drooool:))).Over to Sharmi-
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I was really happy and excited when Divya approached me for a guest post. Whenever I see her blog, the first thing that strikes me is her awesome baked goodies and cake decorating skills. Thank you so much Divya for giving me an opportunity to do a guest post. This is my first guest post too :)
Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
I had few drafts and the first recipe that came to my mind seeing her mail was the pound cake.This is one of the nofail baking recipes so thought to share with you all. I got the recipe of basic vanilla sponge cake from my cousin long back and tried it here. I modified the same recipe a bit to get this pound cake. The cake has a slight crusty top and the very soft inside, sure one of the best cakes I've baked so far.
Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe


Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
  • Maida - 100 gms
  • Butter - 100 gms (at room temperature)
  • Granulated Sugar - 100 gms
  • Eggs - 2
  • Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
  • Baking powder - 1 tsp
  • Milk - 2 tbsp (optional)
  • Salt - 1/8 tsp (optional)
Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
Method:
1. Sieve maida and baking powder twice for even distribution. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat the eggs until fluffy. Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe Step1 2. Then add the eggs, milk to the butter sugar mixture and mix well. Add vanilla essence, salt and give a quick stir. Then add maida baking powder mixture in batches. Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe Step2 3.The batter should resemble like the one shown below(very creamy batter). Preheat the oven at 176 deg C for 10mins. Meanwhile grease the pan with butter and sprinkle little maida over it. Then tap to remove the extras. Now pour the batter into the pan and bake the cake at 176 deg C for 35-40mins or until the top turns golden brown. Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe Step3
You can insert a tooth pick and check, if it comes out clean then your cake is ready. Keep aside for 10mins then invert. Cool down completely then cut into slices and enjoy.
Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
This is the first time I used my bundt pan though I got it 2months back. I was thrilled to see the cake beautifully unmould from the cake pan. This time I just greased with butter and maida, didnt use butter paper.
Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
My Notes :
  • I read in an article that for easy unmoulding : Once the cake pan is taken from the oven, keep a wet cloth under the pan for 10mins then invert , the cake comes out clean.
  • You can even lay butter paper or grease the pan with butter / oil. Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

Monday, January 23, 2012

A quick Hello and a Giveaway! {Winner}

Knock knock,anybody home??

I know it is late,but let me start this year's first post by wishing each and every one of you a very Happy New Year.Hope every one of you had a blast and are having a rocking new year.Me,well it has been a fast paced 2011 for us for sure.We finally got settled in our home,one which we saw from brick and cement stage to what we call our home now.

But amongst all the shifting and setting up,I lost my camera(which explains the quiet here)which I guarded with my life.My heart says it is here somewhere hidden but the fact is,it has been missing for over a month now..so!!To top it all,my microwave stopped working all of a sudden.So till I decide if I need a new one or repair this one and get a new camera for myself,I am sorry this space will remain hungry:((.

I should thank each and every one of you who kept visiting this space and left comments and kept sending me mails and queries as to why this space was not updated.

As a small token of love I am giving away one Pigeon Hard-Anodised Concave Tawa to a lucky reader(shipping only within India).Concave Tawa is ideal for making dosa's with thin batters,like Neer dosa,Rava dosa,Wheat flour dosa and many more.
Product Details

Pigeon Hard-Anodised Concave Tawa 260mm



  • ISI Certified
  • 3mmThick Body with Thermocore Base
  • Triple Layer Scratch-Resistant GREBLON Hard Anodised Coating
  • PFOA FREE for healthy Cooking (Chemical Free)
  • Strong & Sturdy Handle
  • Heavy Weight Aluminium to be sturdy on the Gas top
  • 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty.

All you have to do is comment on this post.You can also share a word or two about your favorite cookware.I will be choosing the winner on January 23,8.00AM(IST).So start commenting--Good luck!!  Giveaway closed.

The Giveaway winner is Sujatha Umesh--please send me your shipping address with phone number and your prize would be on its way soon--Congrats!!

Disclaimer - This is NOT a paid advertisement.Giveaway sponsored by me.