Spiced Eggnog Cake

Eggnog not just for sipping: Use it to add extra richness and flavor to a holiday bundt cake.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 3 cups sifted cake flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup refrigerated or canned eggnog
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Powdered sugar
• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon whipping cream

Directions:

1. Generously grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan; set aside.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer about 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with 1 cup eggnog, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla and, if desired, brandy.
4. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Stir cinnamon and next 3 ingredients into remaining batter. Spoon spice batter over plain batter. Swirl batters together, using a knife.
5. Bake at 350° for 50 to 55 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.
6. Place cake on a cake plate; dust with powdered sugar.
7. Combine 1 cup powdered sugar and whipping cream, stirring until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cake.

Christmas with Southern Living, 2005, Oxmoor House
2005