Chef Way This clever pound cake, from Megan Garrelts of Bluestem in Kansas City, Missouri, has crushed graham crackers in the batter. Garrelts serves it with sage-glazed figs and spiced walnut gelato. Easy Way This cake is already easy to make, but omitting the figs and gelato makes it easier still. Slideshow: More Make-Ahead Desserts
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray an 8-by-4-inch glass loaf pan with vegetable oil spray. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter with the granulated sugar and dark brown sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk the cake flour with the graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the whole milk, cream, eggs and vanilla. Beating at medium speed, add the dry and liquid ingredients to the butter mixture in 3 alternating batches.
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the lower third of the oven for about 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn the pound cake out onto a rack to cool completely.