Golden Eggnog Cake

Submitted by Annacia

"A small slice of this rich, moist cake studded with cherries and nuts is perfect for a winter afternoon, with a cup of coffee or tea: just the pick-me-up you'll need for a full evening of decorating or present-wrapping. It can be made ahead, wrapped well, frozen, then taken out of the freezer when you need it. It's substantial enough to serve as the centerpiece of a holiday dessert table if you have one of the fancy shaped bundt pans. By the way, if you have a nutmeg grater be sure to use fresh nutmeg; the flavor and aroma are vastly superior to the pre-ground. *Eggnog's out of season? Use 1 1/4 cups light cream or half and half + 1 1/4 teaspoons eggnog flavor."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 35mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 25

ingredients

• FILLING

• 118.29 ml sweet dried cherries, very coarsely chopped
• 14.79 14.79 ml brandy or 9.85 ml vanilla
• 118.29 ml chopped walnuts or 118.29 ml pecans
• 59.14 ml light brown sugar or 59.14 ml dark brown sugar
• 59.14 ml unbleached flour
• 29.58 ml butter, melted

• CAKE

• 354.88 ml unsalted butter, at room temperature (3 sticks, 12 ounces)
• 473.18 ml sugar
• 2.46 ml grated nutmeg
• 4.92 ml salt
• 4 large eggs
• 59.14 ml dark rum (optional) or 59.14 ml brandy (optional)
• 828.06 ml cups unbleached flour
• 9.85 ml baking powder
• 295.73 ml eggnog or 295.73 ml light cream

• GLAZE

• 113.39 g glazing sugar or 113.39 g confectioners' sugar
• 9.85 9.85 ml milk or 9.85 ml cream
• 4.92 4.92 ml vanilla or 1.23 ml eggnog, flavor
• 1.23 ml nutmeg

directions

1. Filling:

2. Mix the dried cherries with the liquor or vanilla, add the remaining ingredients, stir well and set aside.
3. Stir occasionally so the cherries absorb the liquid evenly.

4. Cake:

5. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
6. Lightly grease a 10-inch tube or bundt-style pan.
7. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, nutmeg and salt until light and fluffy.
8. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until the batter looks fluffy. Beat in the rum or brandy, if you're using it.
9. Whisk the flour and baking powder together. Beat in one-third of the flour mixture, then one-third of the eggnog or cream.
10. Repeat, being sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl occasionally.
11. Add the remaining flour and eggnog or cream, beating well.
12. Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the nut and cherry mixture. Top with the remaining batter.
13. Smooth the top gently.
14. Lift the cake pan several inches above the counter and drop it to the counter; repeat. This will eliminate any large air pockets or bubbles.
15. Bake the cake for 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
16. Remove the cake from the oven and place on a rack.
17. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then loosen the edges with a knife and return to the rack to cool completely.

18. Glaze:

19. Mix all of the glaze ingredients together, adding a bit of water if needed.
20. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
21. Yield: 1 cake.

Reviews

[kandc88]

Maybe my review is unfair at only 3 stars because it tastes a lot like I expected it to. I found it to be super dense an a little bit alcoholic tasting. I used Brandy everywhere it was called for in the recipe. I served it a New Years Eve party and I had a ton leftover so I'm going to call it a non-crowd pleaser. I ate so much of that cake because of the amount leftover that it will be a LONG time before I crave those flavors again!

 

[KateL]

Wonderful rich coffeecake taste with noticeable but not overwhelming eggnog flavor accent. Those who weren't sure about eggnog refused it (although they eat cakes with eggs, go figure!), but those who tried it went back for more. Because the recipe said it was to serve 25, I cut very thin slices, and few slices came out whole; next time I shall drop the cake pan on the counter harder. I used vanilla extract except I added the optional 1/4 cup dark Meyers rum. I added additional water to the glaze to make it drizzle down the sides. This is a wonderful cake to serve for a holiday dinner. Thanks for posting it, Annacia! Made for Photo Tag.

 

[Darkhunter]

5-star all the way! I used brandy in all 3 phases. I did a half cake, because I wanted to try it out before going all out. Glad I did, because I used my old bundt pan and it stuck! I took a picture of the cake for the forum with what looks like a crumb topping, but will wait until I make the full 24-serving cake after I get my new bundt pan and take a picture for posting here! I think I would like to try Amaretto in the next one. Thnx for sharing such a great recipe, Annacia! Made for Fall 2008 My-3-Chefs