Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake

I tried out the new pan last evening. I took the cake into work and I think everyone enjoyed it. My friend Trudy helped with the photography. She is a great photographer. I'm coming along but need some improvement.


LEMON BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE

6 eggs
1 cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 recipe lemon icing

Have eggs, butter and buttermilk at room temperature. Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan.

In small bowl, stir flour and baking soda, set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter on medium speed until softened. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs one at a time, beating 1 minute and scraping bowl frequently. Add lemon peel, lemon juice and vanilla, beat well. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beating just until combined. Turn into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.

Cool on rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely. Drizzle with lemon icing.

LEMON ICING:

Combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, and enough lemon juice (3-4 teaspoons) to make an icing that drizzles. Pour over cake.

I Heart Hearts

I used to collect hearts. They are packed away now but still things with hearts catch my eye. I found this heart pan on eBay. I got a great bargain on it -- only $9.99 (plus $49.99 for shipping -- just kidding.....:o) It retails at Target for $27.99. It is brand new. I'm going to use it this evening. I'll post a picture of the cake later.

A Flop By Any Other Name

White Chocolate-Coconut Cookies. I saw Paula Deen prepare this recipe on her program the other day and thought it would be a good treat to take to work. I even purchased a new silicone cookie scoop from Kitchen Collection to try out (I think I like it). I should have checked the reviews on this as it appears several people had trouble with this recipe. The cookies never spread out. I made two different batches and neither one worked. I guess I will have to think of something else to take to work soon.

In the beginning........

Welcome to the first day of my blog. I am new to this so bear with me as I learn more about the process.

I am a single 'Gram' who lives on the Gulf Coast of Texas (between Houston and Galveston). I started having an interest in cooking and recipes when I was in home economics in the 8th grade.

I began collecting cookbooks and through gifts or travels have collected quite a few. With my first exposure to the Internet I started reading cooking message boards and collecting recipes that way. I recently happened on reading food blogs and a whole new area opened up for me. I am so amazed at the vast creativity and knowledge of cooks across the nation. It is so interesting to read people's creations and where they live.

I work for a community mental health center four days a week as a reconciliation accountant and also do medical transcription from home in the evenings. After 27 years I 'semi-retired' and had a wonderful adventure in travel and meeting new friends that took me to California for a few years. During that time I traveled all the way up the West Coast, Oregon, Washington State, and into British Columbia. My travels also took me to Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and a wonderful cruise to Alaska.

With being on my own I don't do a lot of cooking for myself. My cooking is pretty much centered around taking something to the office for my coworkers to try. They are a great bunch of friends who are great taste testers.

My son and daughter-in-law blessed me with a grandson in January 2006 and I look forward someday to cooking with him. Getting to watch him grow is one of life's greatest pleasures right now.

So, that's a little about me. I hope to learn about this blogging process and share some recipes along the way.