SHOOTING STAR CAKE

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Makes 1 Bundt cake

Herbaceous and sweet, this Bundt calls for thyme and fresh berries.

INGREDIENTS

DRY

⅓ cups cake flour (here)

4½ teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon salt

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme

WET

1 cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

⅔ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

3 eggs, room temperature

1 cup whole milk, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup rinsed, fresh blueberries

1 cup rinsed, fresh blackberries

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

Measuring cups and spoons

Colander

Microplane grater

Standard Bundt pan

(12 cups / 10 by 3½ inches)

Room-temperature butter and flour, for the pan

2 medium-size mixing bowls

Flour sifter

Hand blender

Large wooden spoon

Knife

Wire rack

Grease the Bundt pan with butter. Dust it with flour and shake out any loose flour left. Set it aside.

Center a rack in the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt; toss in the lemon zest and thyme; mix well.

In a separate medium bowl, sift together the sugars.

Add the butter to the sugar.

Cream together with a hand blender till light and fluffy.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the eggs to the creamed mix one at a time, fully blending after each addition.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

To the creamed mixture add the milk and vanilla. Beat well.

Pour the wet mix into the dry mix in thirds.

Fold gently until there is no visible flour and no lumps in the batter.

Fold in the berries.

Pour the batter into the waiting Bundt pan.

Bake the cake in the center of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Let it cool for 10 minutes.

Run a thin knife between the cake and the pan.

Flip it over onto a wire rack and cool completely.