Mini Vanilla Bean Pound Cakes

This baking was a nice experience. I used Chicago Metallic mini loaf pans that said to lower the temperature of the oven 25 degrees, so I did-to 325'. Everything seemed okay until the 15-minute time when the split down the middle was to be imminent. I decided to go with it and learned quickly about imminent. I should have waited for the split to begin, which it didn’t, and my slit went into soup. The instructions tell me to tent it. I did. At around the right time, I take a temperature reading for 196’ and Thermopen says it is 205’. It still seemed a little soupy to me, but I just have to learn to trust sometime. I took them out. I would have liked a little more color, and rise, but next time I will know more. It still seems a toss up between pan and oven, or whatever and oven. Soon, I hope experience will guide me.

It does seem that there is so much “next time” for me that I would welcome the opportunity for us to re-bake all of these cakes. Of course, there are considerations – like with this one, when my husband came home bearing vanilla beans - $32.00 for 4 mini cakes. He tentatively inquired, “When will this end?” I could not answer in good faith, realizing, as I do, that it is somewhat of a long manic episode. Friends now call and say, “Oh, are you baking?” No more Saturday and Sunday brunches. They don’t seem interested in coming over to read directions to me, or measure ingredients. Fair weather, I’d say. Oh well, I lament, reaching for my trusty KD 7000. I am even beginning to speak the lingo.

Yet, these little cakes withstood my usual forgetfulness, not starting the timer on time; losing flour out of the back of the bowl when adding butter or whatever. So, all things being equal, the cakes went into the oven in pretty good shape. I think in my case the tenting could have been omitted, but who can be that picky?

Easy mis en place. 

Easy execution, easy unmolding from Baker’s Joy and non-stick pans.

Easy syruping. Instead of cognac, I used a tablespoon of Cherry Heering, and served the cake on a coulis of cherry. I had to chuckle - the bottle of Cherry Heering was acquired some time ago, when two tablespoons or so were required for a recipe. At that time, the liquor store owner laughed, and ‘lowed as how he hadn’t sold a bottle of that in 20 years. This was his last one. I’m sure he thanked us for stopping by.

Easy cooling. I pilfered a bite from one of the slices of the cake and it was, amazingly, light as a feather. This was not like any pound cake I have ever had. Light, subtle flavor, angelic crumb. Perfect.

I might not have to re-bake this recipe to prove a point to myself, after all. But, I shall definitely do it to delight myself; that is for sure. I will deliver these cakes as  gifts to 4 friends tomorrow. I think they will be delighted as well.