Lemon Pound Cake

My cute cousin, Shayla, called me the other day asking about a lemon pound cake recipe. But the truth is, I had never made one from scratch. I would normally just use a lemon cake mix and add stuff to it. But since it was in my brain, I started searching for a good, homemade lemon pound cake. I actually used three different recipes and adapted them to make this one.

Lemon Pound Cake

juice and zest from 1 lemon

3 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

pinch salt

2 c. (1 lb.) butter, room temperature

2 c. sugar, plus more for pan

6 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1-2 t. lemon extract

1 (6 oz.) container lemon yogurt

Icing:

3 c. powdered sugar

juice from 1 lemon

1 t. vanilla

1/4 c. heavy cream

For the cake, begin by zesting the lemon. Then juice it. Set both aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a stand mixer (I used my KitchenAid) combine butter and sugar. Mix at a medium speed for 6 minutes.

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg (about 1 minute per egg.)

Add lemon juice and zest, vanilla, and lemon extract. Mix well.

While mixing, alternate adding half the yogurt, then half the flour mixture and repeat. Mix just until combined. Prepare bundt pan by spraying with cooking spray and coating with sugar.

Carefully drop spoonfuls of batter in pan, so as to not disrupt the sugary sides.

Bake at 325 F for 60-75 minutes. Check often after 60 minutes. Cool slightly in the pan (about 20 minutes) before removing cake. Then invert cake onto a plate and cool completely. For icing, combine all ingredients until smooth and pour over cooled cake.

This cake is very buttery and rich. When I made it, I only used 1/2 t. lemon extract and it was only slightly lemony. You can adjust the extract depending on how much lemon flavor you want. Enjoy!

Lemon Bars

I got this recipe from a cookie cookbook that I received for our wedding. The instructions say to put these in a 9x13" pan, but I like to use either 11x7" or 9x9" so they are thicker.

Lemon Bars

2 c. flour

1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/4 t. salt

1 c. sugar

3 eggs

1/3 c. fresh lemon juice

1 t. lemon zest (optional)

powdered sugar for the top

Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until you have a stiff, playdough-like dough.

Press dough into a pan (whatever size you like.)

Bake crust at 350 F for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Meanwhile, stir together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and zest. When crust is done, pour lemon mixture over crust.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 18-20 minutes.

Let cool completely then cut into bars and dust with powdered sugar.

My favorite part of these bars is the shortbread crust. It's so buttery and delicious. Enjoy!

Juicing

Lately I've been trying to eat healthier and adopt a more whole-food type lifestyle. Let me tell you, it's not easy for me because I really love processed foods, but I know how bad they can be for my health. I will never be perfect at this way of eating because I cannot give up sweets and salty snacks entirely, and I will NEVER give up ice cream (it's my weakness!) That being said, I've tried to incorporate more whole grains, fruits and veggies in my diet and less foods like white bread, fruit snacks and sugary drinks.

My sweet husband, aware of the changes I've been trying to make, was so thoughtful and gave me a juicer for Mother's Day. I am very new at this juicing concept, but so far I love it. It's a

great way for me to feel like I've started the day right and also a great way to boost my veggie intake each day! So this week I've been juicing every morning. Today, I tried this juice recipe:

Green Lemonade

3 stalks celery

4-5 handfuls spinach

2 apples

1 cucumber

large chunk ginger

1/2 lemon

Now, I must say it was not the most delicious juice I've ever had, but it wasn't horrible either. Let's just say it tasted healthy. :) I am not accustomed to eating as many veggies as I probably should. By making veggie juice I can pack several into one meal. It's great!

Anyway, I love my juicer and I know that it will help me in my efforts to making healthier eating choices and habits.