I know this is supposed to be about health and fitness blog, but it is also about peace of mind.
What is better than creating peace of mind among family members than cooking everyone's favorite pound cake.
Brenda Smith, named Braindog (I love that name) by my former boss, gave me this recipe years ago. I have adjusted the directions to reflect the cooking knowledge of my sister, Nancy.
2 sticks butter--softened (I use 2 sticks of margarine that is not whipped)
1 (8 oz) pkg of cream cheese--softened (I use light cream cheese and have had mixed results with fat free cream cheese)
3 cups sugar
6 eggs - at room temperature
1.5 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups plain flour
.25 teaspoon salt (actually I use less than a .25 teaspoon)
Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease a bundt pan or two loaf pans.
Cream butter and cheese; add sugar to cream mixture. Add eggs one at a time, but to prevent over beating as soon as the yolk is broken add the next egg. Add vanilla. Add flour and salt. I have a good mixer and beating time should take no longer than 7 minutes.
Spoon batter into pan. The original recipe says to bake for 1 hour and 10; however, I have to cook the cake to almost 1 hour and 30 minutes. Check doneness by using a toothpick or small thin knife to make sure it comes out clean.
