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Hidcote - pt. 1

I'm just now getting around to organizing the photos from my trip to England back in May. As I've said a million times, this was the trip of a lifetime, and I had an incredible time. This was a 3-week trip organized by the HPSO (Hardy Plant Society of Oregon) during which we visited 35 different locations. Most all of these were gardens but there were also a few castles and villages thrown in, as well as the icing on the trip - the Chelsea Flower Show. This tour focused on the southeast region of England, notably the Cotswolds and Cornwall. I've watched so many programs and read so many books about England and the gardens there that I was afraid it would tarnish the image I had built up in my head. I'm pleased to say that it not disappoint. The trek from London to Bath by train was not the best first impression. However, as we gained distance from the city, the rolling green countryside gave me glimpses of things to come. After arriving in Bath and finding my hotel, I m...

Lemon Pound Cake


A most delicious pound cake and the best lemon one we've tried. We had it with strawberries and whipped cream. Enjoy!

Lemon Pound Cake

Cake
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
Syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (or enough for desired consistency)
Preheat the oven to 325. Generously grease a 10" Bundt pan with shortening or baking spray. Dust the pan with granulated sugar.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice together. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well.

Lower the speed of the mixer and beat in about 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by 1/3 of the buttermilk mixture. Continue the procedure ending with the last 1/3 of flour mixture. Beat until incorporated, scraping the bowl and beaters as necessary.

The batter will be thick. Transfer it to the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Carefully run a thin-bladed knife around the edges of the pan and the center post. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

As the cake cools, prepare the syrup by combining the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Remove the cake from the pan and brush it with the lemon syrup. Let the cake cool completely.

After the cake is totally cooled, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. You want a medium consistency, not too thick and not too thin, just to the point where it is run down the sides of the cake.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver

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