Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Chocolate Strawberry Pound Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Pound Cake

Nothing says spring quite like heading to the farmer's market and letting the sweet scent of ripe, juicy strawberries lead you to the best stall in town.  With strawberry season at its peek here in San Diego, this is a weekly event for me, and with this month's Blogger Clue Society's assignment being "spring", strawberries seemed the appropriate choice.

Today we head back to Michigan for another day at my favorite farm with Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm where I'm hoping spring has finally spread her wings.  Apparently April blew in with even more cold weather and snow, and Wendy's talk of frozen ponds and snowy fields is somewhat unimaginable here in my San Diego world.  A few new puppies seem to have brightened their cold world though, and I'm eagerly awaiting more photos of these cute little guys.  (Wendy, we adopted brothers too and simply can't imagine life without them!)


But even all that snow hasn't stopped dear Wendy from posting a spring and strawberry filled recipe that I found so special it made its way to my Easter table.  How does a slice of Chocolate Strawberry Pound Cake sound to you??

I know, right?  It sounded irresistible to me too.  Rich and chocolaty, and sweetened with juicy, seasonal strawberries, we altered Wendy's recipe slightly to make it dairy-free for my family.  And as a personal note to Wendy, my Father-in-Law sends his heartfelt thanks for completing our meal in such a "grand" fashion.  He says he can't wait to see what you bring for him next year!


Now won't you join me as we travel the world for spring recipes from the rest of our Blogger Clue Society?  Let's see what spring means to them!

   
  • Chicken Tikka Salad by Ramona from Curry and Comfort
  •    
  • Creamy Asparagus Soup by Anna from Anna Dishes
  •    
  • Lemon Bars by Anna from Anna Dishes
  •    
  • Christy from Confessions of a Culinary Diva



  • Chocolate Strawberry Pound Cake


    Chocolate Strawberry Pound Cake
    Dense, pure chocolate with a sweet, berry kick, this cake is the epitome of spring.  Or, it's a sign of warmer days to come when served mid-winter.  Either way, it's a decadent treat and makes a lovely finish to any meal or picnic.  Oh, it also makes a nice lunch.
    Adapted from A Day in the Life on the Farm
    Printer Friendly 

    1 cup strawberry preserves, divided (we used our homemade Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango Jam)
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    1 1/2 tsp baking soda
    1 tsp salt
    1/2 cup butter, softened (we used Earth Balance dairy-free butter alternative)
    1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
    2 eggs
    1 ripe banana, mashed
    1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs almond milk
    1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional - give a touch of tang like buttermilk or sour cream to the recipe)
    1 tsp vanilla
    fresh strawberries
    powdered sugar

    Preheat oven to 350º and prepare a bundt pan with cooking spray (we used Trader Joe's Coconut Spray).  Set aside.

    Gently heat 3/4 cup of the strawberry preserves over low heat on the stove, just until melted.

    Place the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and whisk a few times to incorporate.  Set aside.

    In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, place the softened butter and granulated sugar and mix until incorporated - about 1 minute.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each egg, then stir in the melted preserves and banana, and then the almond milk, cider vinegar and vanilla.  Beat again until incorporated.

    Add the flour to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed just until incorporated.  If batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of additional almond milk and mix gently to incorporate.

    Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt Pan and place into the preheated oven and bake 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean (mine was good at just under 50 minutes).

    Powdered Sugar
    Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

    While cake is cooling, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of preserves over low heat on the stove until melted.

    Turn cake out onto a cake plate after cooling and brush with the melted preserves.  Then allow to cool completely.

    To serve, dust cake with powdered sugar (it looks pretty that way!).  Cut and place slices on serving plates.  Scoop a spoonful of fresh strawberries next to the cake and dust again with powdered sugar.

    Wendy served her cake with a divine Strawberry Cream (infused with Amaretto!) or for a dairy-free version you could use our irresistible Coconut Whipped Cream.

    Happy spring!

    Liv Life Note:  This post contains an Amazon affiliate link to my favorite Bundt Pan
    ... if you purchase through this link Liv Life will receive a small (very small...!) commission, and we thank you for your support!


    28 comments:

    1. What a totally irresistible cake!!! Perfect for Easter, spring or ANYTIME!!!

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      1. Irresistible indeed! And anytime is the perfect description. Even breakfast!

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    2. Thanks, Kim, for all the kind words. I am so glad you liked the cake. I will definitely be posting more pics of the baby boys soon. I just started an instagram account and need to get familiar with it.

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      1. You're welcome Wendy! I love visiting you and pretending I really get a day on the farm. And I can't wait to see more of those puppies! I'll have to find that Insta account.

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    3. Oh YUM! This would be a favorite in this family because many, don't enjoy frosting or icing. The strawberries look so pretty plated with it!

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      1. I'm not a big frosting/icing fan either. This one is just perfect for me!

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    4. Oh yummy!! That looks DIVINE! I love chocolate and strawberries together. Perfect pairing. :)

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    5. What a delightful cake, Kim! I'm happy you decided on this beautiful cake and will be dreaming of it all day. Such gorgeous spring berries!!

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      1. We have such beautiful berries right now Lora, and they did go beautifully with the cake. So happy to have you as a part of clue!

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    6. Chocolate and strawberries are a match made in heaven. Looks like you definitely picked a winner Kim! I have to admit I'm a little jealous that you already have fresh strawberries in season!

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      1. Heaven indeed!! The season is half over Chris... I feel so lucky! They begin hitting the markets here just after the first of the year. Peek season right now!

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    7. Chocolate and strawberries are a match made in heaven. Looks like you definitely picked a winner Kim! I have to admit I'm a little jealous that you already have fresh strawberries in season!

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    8. Gosh, Kim. I can see why this was a hit with your family. I'm with your father-in-law this is indeed a grand dessert. We have company coming over for the weekend and I was thinking of baking my chocolate bundt cake but now I think I'll make this. Thank you for the inspiration!

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      1. He was so cute... he usually doesn't comment much and says "I'll just eat whatever you feel like putting in front of me." But this time? He asked for thirds!

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    9. My mouth is watering. Seriously - it is watering. This looks and sounds divine. Great choice!

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    10. Thanks Lisa! This is the biggest hit I've had in my family for a while. It will become a regular!

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    11. This looks amazingly moist! I can only imagine what the first bite would be like!!

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    12. This cake looks delicious! Chocolate and berries is such a good combo :)

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    13. Is it terrible that I read this post and fixated on the first picture thinking, "Caaaaake, waaaaant." I'm really glad you moved in this fantastic dessert direction with this month's theme :)

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    14. Oh yum! That cake looks absolutely divine!

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    15. I know everyone in my family will scrape their dessert plate clean with this one!! It's gorgeous!.

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    16. Strawberries and chocolate are a mighty duo and I can see why your family was so pleased, Kim. Your cake is simply gorgeous. And your father-in-law sounds like quite the character. I too wonder what Wendy is bringing along next year! :)

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    17. I am just about to make this and realised the directions do not say what to do with the melted 3/4 cup preserves. I am guessing they get added into the cake mix at some point. ;-)

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      1. Oh!! Insert embarrassed face here!! Yes… stir the preserves in with the banana and move on from there. Thank you so much for telling me!

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    18. Chocolate and strawberries, YUM! and in cake! Oh my. This looks delectable! I'm most definitely going to have to make this soon.

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    19. I wish I could eat chocolate - this cake is making my mouth water! So stunning with the fresh strawberries!

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    20. Yum... I love strawberries. And paired with chocolate. Yum. (Did I say that already?)

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