Saffron Pound Cake With Lemon Caramel Sauce Recipes

LEMON-SCENTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Pour the sugar into the center of a deep saucepan. Carefully pour the water around the walls of the pan, trying not to splash any sugar onto the walls. Do not stir; gently draw your finger twice through the center of the sugar, making a cross, to moisten it. Over high heat, bring to a full boil and cook without stirring until medium caramel in color, swirling the pan occasionally to even out the color, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another saucepan bring the cream and lemon peel to a boil and set aside to infuse the flavor.
• When the caramel is the desired color immediately turn off the heat and use a wooden spoon to slowly and carefully stir in the cream (it will bubble up and may splatter). Pass through a fine strainer and serve warm.

SPICE CAKE WITH LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• For the spice cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the inside of a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray.
• Cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
• Add the eggs to the creamed butter, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream, alternating with the flour mixture, beginning and ending with the flour and beating until no flour is visible -- don't overbeat.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan; tap the pan on the counter to remove any air pockets. Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool slightly in the pan, 5 to 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack while still warm.
• For the lemon sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar in the top of a double boiler over medium heat. Stir in the lemon juice, zest and butter. Cook until thickened, whisking often, about 30 minutes.
• Serve the cake warm or room temperature with the lemon sauce.

PEANUT BUTTER-CARAMEL POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch nonstick, metal loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with a 14-by-3 1/2-inch piece of parchment paper. Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Line the sides of the pan with a 14-by-7-inch piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candies have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the eggs and vanilla. With the machine running, gradually add the flour mixture in batches to form a thick batter. Beat in the peanut butter. Transfer half of the batter to the prepared pan. Pour 2 tablespoons of the caramel lengthwise along the center of the batter. Using the tip of a knife, swirl the caramel sauce into the batter. Place the remaining batter on top and pour another 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce lengthwise along the center of the batter. Swirl the caramel sauce into the batter. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and peel away the parchment paper. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour (center of cake will fall during cooling). Slice the pound cake and place on a serving platter. Warm the remaining caramel sauce over low heat. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the pound cake slices or serve alongside.

LEMON-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and syrup is clear. Continue to cook, without stirring, until syrup comes to a boil, occasionally washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Let syrup boil, gently swirling pan occasionally, until dark amber.
• Remove from heat; whisk in lemon juice, liqueur (if desired), butter, and 2 tablespoons water. (Caramel will steam and spatter.) Serve warm.