Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake

My mother was an extraordinary woman!  She raised eight children and supported my father through his naval career with almost 50 years of marriage before a brain tumor took her from us.  I learned so much from her and know I owe everything I've achieved in my life is because of the self-esteem she instilled in me. 

My love of baking is to her credit too and when I got married, we baked together for family functions, including some weddings and my grandparent's 50th anniversary.  I chose to do the pound cake we made so many times, but added the twist of a strawberry swirl.  This recipe makes 18 cups of batter, which was advantageous when baking layers, but I found that even my largest 12-cup Bundt pan wouldn't have held it all.  So, I made six mini bundts and gave some to my movie buddy--Betty.

She not only taught me how to bake, but she showed me that being a mother was the greatest job I would ever have.  This poem I found, while sifting through items to prepare for a move, was one I wrote down when I was newly married.  I don't know who wrote it and nothing came up on google, but it is one that I hold dear to my heart.

I Remember

I remember when I could read an entire
chapter, some days even an entire book
at one sitting
without interruptions.

I remember when I could work
for hours at a time in my study,
the hours were dependent on me,
not on a nap.

I remember when I knew no one
with children
and had no idea what 2T meant.

And I remember when
no one called me Mommy
and when
no little arms wrapped themselves
around my neck,
no little kisses or hugs were mine.

And I prefer today.
One of my dearest friends, Marcia Powell, drew this for me after Kelly passed away 
Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Cut into cubes to soften more quickly
2 3/4 cup sugar
10 large eggs
3 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. Almond extract
4 cups Queen Guinevere Cake Flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Strawberry Puree
2 cups strawberries, pureed in a processor
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch

Prepare the berries and place in a small sauce pan.  Mix the sugar and cornstarch together and stir into the strawberries. Heat on medium, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.  Pour into a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill while you make up the cake.

 Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with a Flour/Oil baking spray generously.  Do the same to a mini bundt pan (or 6-cup muffin pan).

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together thoroughly, scrapping down the sides as needed with a rubber spatula.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Scrape down the sides as needed while adding the eggs.  Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat once more.

Sift the dry ingredients and add to the batter, one-third at a time.  After all the dry ingredients have been added, beat one minute more.
 I use a large scoop to measure my batter into the prepared Bundt pan.
Use an off-set spatula to spread, then add some of the strawberry puree, about 1/3 cup.  Cover with a little more batter, then more puree, ending in a little more batter to come up two-thirds of the way up in the pan. Use a knife to swirl the puree through the batter.
Use the remaining batter, divided equally among the mini bundt pan or cupcake pan, adding about a tablespoon of puree to it and swirling with a knife.
Bake the mini bundts about 23 to 35 minutes then remove from the oven and allow to cool about 5 - 7 minutes before inverting them onto a parchment lined rack.

Make a simple glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 T Light Karo syrup
1-2 T hot water

Pour over the mini bundts.

Bake the pound cake another 43 to 45 minutes more, or until a wooden skewer poked in the middle of the cake, comes out cleanly.

Remove from the oven and cool 7 to 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter.  Make up more glaze and pour over the cake.


We love the simplicity of pound cake and the addition of a strawberry swirl reminded me of the times my mother and I would go strawberry picking to make jam together.  

This is a hard day for me, but I'm filled with so many beautiful memories and I'm thankful I have friends to share them with.  I'm wishing you all a wonderful Mother's Day--Enjoy!

BTW: I did cut out the apron for May, but a Skype call with my grandson took precedent; it will be up tomorrow...promise, XOXO
  
 


29 comments:

  1. i love that you've included your memories along with the delicious cake recipe susan, your mom sounds so lovely. happy sad mothers day (same here), i'm sending hugs and love :)

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    1. Sometimes, I feel like just staying in bed on Mother's Day, but I know that wouldn't accomplish anything and I have so many beautiful memories of both my mom and Kelly to share. I was lucky to have just come home from visiting with Erin and our granddaughters and add those memories to my life. Family really is everything, XOXO

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  2. That's a lovely tribute to your Mom, and the drawing is beautiful!

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    1. I could write volumes about my mother! I'm so grateful for all she gave to me and wish she was still here for me to tell her, XOXO

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  3. Beautiful post! I really must get a Bundt tin and get baking this cake, my taste buds are tingling in anticipation.x

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    1. It really is one of the best pound cakes I've ever made. XOXO

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  4. Your posts always touch my heart--this one particularly in so many ways. And I love the photo of you and your mom--the clothes could be my mom and me--same vintage!

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    1. I love this photo and I've always felt that she never let go of my hand...when she gave me those apron strings!

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  5. Susan you are so sweet to share all your memories with us. You are lucky to have such lovely memories. mine would not be so sweet. This pound cake with strawberry puree is right up my alley! yeah no chocolate! stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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    1. I am lucky to have had such a devoted mother and I know that. The pound cake was one we baked together and the memories were as sweet as the dessert. Much love, dear friend, XOXO

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  6. Lovely and meaningful artwork... Your Mother's Days must always be bittersweet. Hope that with time the pain eases and you remember your darlings with more smiles than tears.

    Oh I adore a pound cake! I'm pinning so I have a chance of remembering where I saw this. (I stopped printing off recipes when my recipe notebook became crammed to the brim and I had no hope of ever actually baking them all. Now I pin and if I make it and we both give it two thumbs up, I print it and keep it. Thanks for the recipe!)

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  7. My sweet friend, I know this day is filled with memories and so much love! Sadness also but I pray that the love fills you with Joy! Sending you a hug and wishing I was there to share that cake with you!

    Linda

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  8. I love how you write from your heart dear Susan! Hugs and best wishes for the future with your new adorable grandaughter. Your mother sounded like an amazing woman. God bless you and your family. xoxo ♥
    Martha Ellen

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  9. I'm a little late in reading this post. Such sweet memories you have of your mother and all that you shared. This was my first Mother's Day since my mother died. Although my mother and I were not close, there is still a void left knowing she is gone. Happy Mother's Day to you, dear friend.

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  10. Susan, Susan, Susan. What am I going to do with you? You keep posting fabulous recipes that I MUST print out. Ohhhhhh, this one looks splendid and it's huge...which means one can share it with lots of people, right?

    Thanks for all our sweet visits. Love it when I see that you've stopped by.

    Hope your day today is blessed, Susan. Loved the poem, too! Susan

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  11. I love Strawberry Pound Cake! This sounds so yum! My mom taught me so much about being in the kitchen too. They are some of my fondest childhood memories!

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  12. My dear friend

    You have been in my thoughts over the last couple of days and I have been wanting to send you a message so, today is the day.. If I could I would hand you a beautiful bunch of pink Ranunculus. I know this has been a tough time of the year for you. Sending lots of love.

    Love you
    Suzanne
    X

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  13. Gosh, I can drink the whole bowl of strawberry puree! The pound cake looks divine!
    Hope you had a great Mother's Day, Susan.
    Love,
    Angie

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  14. This is such a lovely post Susan...the memories seem beautiful and the recipe is a keeper! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  15. Wonderful memories of baking with your mother! Love the drawing. I know you treasure it also :)
    The cake looks so yummy and it's wonderful that it makes 18 cups of batter for extra mini's.
    HUGS,
    Donna

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  16. What a beautiful cake, and a sweet poem, too! Your friend drew such a wonderful picture, too–I'm sure it's a treasured keepsake.

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  17. Very sweet and emotive poem Susan....it hits a chord I assure you :-)
    I wonder do you think as you bake ....and as I see it baking is a very special thing in your life....as I said I wonder...do you think of your mother as you bake??? I often think of my mother when I crochet or make things she was a very craft orientated person too. Don't you think its a great tribute to our mothers that they are called to mind as we do something we love doing? Something they taught us. I hope my daughter and grand-daughter will do the same when I'm gone. I'd like to think they will.


    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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    1. Amanda, I absolutely think of my mother as I bake--she's with me every step. Along with gardening, sewing, painting, needlework, etc., she taught me so much and those memories come flooding back. I also hope that the times I spent with my girls and now, my grandchildren, will give them that sense of family that I received so lovingly. I'm very lucky, XOXO

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    2. Yes you are ... so very lucky....family is everything!

      Amanda xx

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  18. Dear Susan,
    My apron just arrived! Even better as my birthday was Tuesday. It is so colorful and cheerful. The pattern and colors remind me of a psychedelic apron my mom had in the late sixties. I am so honored and privileged to be a member of the Sisterhood of the Apron. And the handmade card is gorgeous. Thank you so very much.
    Hugs,
    Petti

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  19. So many wonderful recipes here!

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  20. What a neat way to remember your Mother!

    Thanks for sharing the recipe, it looks scrumptious!

    Have a great weekend!!

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  21. Beautiful cakes, beautiful poem. God bless you.

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  22. Beautiful.
    You are such an inspiration.
    Hugs.

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