Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

We love that Bundt cakes don't demand frosting--just let a sweet lemon glaze run over the poppy-seed cake and you've got perfection.

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Note)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup poppy seeds, toasted (see Tip)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk, (see Tip)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 large eggs, at room temperature (see Tip)
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar , plus more for dusting
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water

Directions:

 

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup Bundt pan, preferably nonstick, with cooking spray and dust with flour (or use cooking spray with flour).

 

2.Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a

 medium bowl. Combine buttermilk, oil, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice in a glass measuring cup.

 

3.Beat eggs, egg whites and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until thickened and pale, about 5 minutes.

 

4.Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture with a rubber spatula, a third at a time, alternating with 2 additions of the buttermilk mixture. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

 

5.Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

 

6.To prepare glaze: Sift 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar into a small bowl; mix with lemon juice and water to create a thin glaze. Poke 1-inch-deep holes all over the cake with a skewer. Coat the warm cake with the glaze using a pastry brush. Let cool completely. To serve, set the cake on a serving plate and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Tips:

 

Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten forming potential than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Store in the freezer. 

 

Sources: Available in large supermarkets and in natural-foods stores, and from King Arthur Flour, (800) 827-6836, bakerscatalogue.com, and Bob's Red Mill, (800) 349-2173, bobsredmill.com.

 

Tips: Toast poppy seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

 

No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make "sour milk" the ratio is 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.

 

To bring cold eggs to room temperature quickly, place in a mixing bowl and set it in a larger bowl of warm water for a few minutes; the eggs will beat to a greater volume.

 

To separate eggs safely: Use an egg separator, an inexpensive gadget found in cookware stores; separating eggs by passing the yolk back and forth between pieces of eggshell or your hands can expose the eggs to bacteria.

 

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Equipment: 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan, preferably nonstick.

 

Source: Recipe.com