February in Northern California means low season and it’s one of our favorite times of the year to road trip. It’s that one moment when you can hit Napa and have it all to yourself, hike into the redwoods and feel like they’re all yours, and skip down to Big Sur and see everything at its most lush and greenest, especially since we’ve had a few good rains the last few weeks.
And when we road trip, we like to bring provisions; car snacks like pound cake so we can pull over at a vista and slice a piece and slather it with marmalade.
But even if we don’t get away, we still make this Vanilla Pound Cake with Quick Kumquat Thyme Marmalade recipe because it’s just as perfect as the end to your next dinner party, as a homemade hostess gift, or just toasted in the morning for a lazy winter breakfast in bed.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Kumquat-Thyme Marmalade And Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Pound Cake:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more for coating the pan
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for coating the pan
- 1 cup unrefined cane sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 2 vanilla beans split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
For The Kumquat Marmalade:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 pound kumquats washed, cut into 1/4 inch rounds and seeds removed
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves roughly chopped
Instructions
Prepare The Oven And Pan:Â
- Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the upper third. Coat a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with extra butter and flour, tapping out the excess flour; set aside. Combine the measured flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside.
Make The Batter:
- Place the measured butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup of the sugar and vanilla and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more. (Stop the mixer periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl.) Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in two additions, mixing each until just incorporated. (Do not over mix or your cake will be tough.)
Bake The Pound Cake:Â
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top of the cake is puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes.Â
Make The Kumquat Marmalade:Â
- Meanwhile, in a small pot over high heat bring 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and kumquats to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the kumquats are translucent and the skins are soft. Skim off any foam on top and add the thyme leaves. Stir and turn off the heat and set-aside until ready.
Cool The Baked Cake:Â
- Once the pound cake is finished, remove from oven and rest on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the perimeter, invert the cake to remove it from the pan, and let it cool completely before serving.
Prepare The Whipped Cream And Serve:Â
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk together the heavy cream, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form about 3 minutes. To serve, cut the pound cake into 1-inch slices, and drizzle over the kumquat marmalade and a heaping dollop of whipped cream.
