Patriotic Pound Cake

Happy Fourth of July!  I hope you are looking forward to free time, friends, fun and fireworks.  This pound cake is the ideal base for just about anything.  I topped mine with a dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with a little brown sugar and a mix of strawberries and blueberries.  Do as you please and have a great holiday!


Patriotic Pound Cake
from Barefoot Contessa
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
 
A mix of red and blue berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
Vanilla ice cream of Greek yogurt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Cream the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.

Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes. Take them out of the pans, place them on a baking rack and allow them to cool completely. Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator.

Serve slices of pound cake topped with yogurt or ice cream and your favorite patriotic berries.