I made Manservant very happy. Not that I don't make him happy often, and maybe it was the fact that I'd been gone so long; in any case... he loved this cake. It's a splurgie kind of cake in the sense that I use real maple syrup on it and in it. Real maple syrup is a treat and so much better than the corn syrup variety. Besides it makes me believe that maybe for one minute I might be from Vermont. Yeah, I know you know I'm not, but I admit to having a romanticized notion of what Vermont just might be like. A girl can dream, right?
In any case, Whole Foods asked me to write about splurges. And ways to save. Yeah, it's that time of year when we want to spend, spend, spend, but at the same time we look for ways to save, save, save. If you are looking to save time-and so many of us are- than just looking through the prepared foods and choosing something that fits your dinner is a great way to save time. And sometimes that also means saving money, too!
When I think of splurges, at least in the way of food, I think of maple syrup. And truffles. And caviar. Great olive oils. Special farm raised turkeys from Diestel instead of those supermarket pumped up kinds, and a special cheese to put on a cheese plate. One thing I've always wanted is a bar of Mast chocolate. Now that would be a splurge for me, but I haven't done it yet. Fresh flowers are a luxury for many, but they make me so happy that I consider them almost a necessity!
Whole Foods 365 products are great ways to save and their coffee is just one example. I'm not a huge coffee drinker but Manservant more than makes up for me. Here's a link to some things that my local Whole Foods has available. And here's another link to their cost savings booklet that helps with meal planning and also contains recipes. I love recipes!
But about this cake, huh? It is a jazzed up version one of my favorite pound cake recipes. This one is quite popular judging from the views it has had. I must admit that it is sublime, but this maple one is also. I added some allspice just to give it some extra joy, but if you aren't a fan, feel free to skip it. And play with the sugars. Feel free to make it brown or a combo of white and brown, if you like that caramelly flavor. This version is not too sweet and though I didn't get a chance to toast it, I think that would be a great taste sensation! If you want it a tad sweeter feel free to dump a bit more sweetness in. I love it with a scoop of pumpkin ice cream, but most any flavor would work. Drizzling a bit more maple syrup on top is truly spurge worthy! Catch the drift? Well, you won't until you make it, silly!
In the meantime go splurge or save at Whole Foods. Either way is fun! And if you want a little extra to splurge with, enter this drawing for a $25 gift card. That would get me about 3 chocolate bars! It might get you a jug of maple syrup, plus some coffee! But a total splurge would require me to buy this 3 lb chocolate molded turkey! In which case, I might not even need this cake!
Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Serves: 8-16 people Makes one 12" Bundt cake or 2 8" loaf cakes (I usually freeze one loaf!)
Time to Make: Active Time about 30 minutes
Ingredients:
2 ½ sticks butter
1 ¼ c sugar
1 8 oz package softened cream cheese
½ c maple syrup (Grade B has great flavor)
2 t maple extract
½ t vanilla extract
5 eggs
6 oz or about 1 ¾ c finely chopped toasted pecans
2 ¼ c flour
½ t salt
1 t allspice
Glaze:
¼ c unsalted butter
2 T maple syrup
1 t maple extract
2 T whipping cream
6 T powdered sugar, sifted
Pecans for garnish
Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour well 2 8" loaf pans or 1 12" Bundt pan. Beat butter, sugar and cream cheese in mixer until light and fluffy. Add maple syrup, maple extract and vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, mixing each egg until well incorporated. Mix together nuts, flour and salt and allspice, if using. With mixer on low speed, stir in flour mixture. Pour into greased pans and bake 1 to 1 ½ hours or until a knife inserted into middle of cake comes out clean. You may have to cover the top with foil to prevent over browning. Let cool while preparing glaze.This is perfect with ice cream and an additional drizzle of maple syrup.
Glaze:
Melt butter with maple syrup, maple extract and cream. Add powdered sugar and whisk until smooth. Cool until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Drizzle over cooled cake.
Give Away Closed!
More to Try:
Maple Glazed Walnut Scones
Blueberry Nut Bread
Maple Salted Macadamia Ice Cream
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Biz says
I already follow you everywhere 😀 But I do splurge on CHEESE! 😀
Daraya Johnson says
I followed you via Pinterest! 🙂 @darayaj
Daraya Johnson says
I subscribed! annalana25(at)gmail(dot)com
Daraya Johnson says
I splurge on nut butters and buy them freshly-ground from Whole Foods! 🙂
Priscilla S. says
I follow on pinterest - xcherokeerose
Priscilla S. says
I subscribe - littlebirdlionheart [at] gmail [dot] com
Priscilla S. says
My favorite save is a rotisserie chicken. It's economical and so convenient. I love the flavor and I can make multiple meals out of just one chicken.
latanya t says
pinterest follower as @sweetums82
dlatany at gmail dot com
latanya t says
email subscriber
latanya t says
I like a good slice of tiramsu
Dee says
I follow you on pinterest as deeg131. Thanks for the chance and have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
deeg131 at gmail dot com
Dee says
I subscribe via email.
deeg131 at gmail dot com
Dee says
I love to splurge on soy ice cream! 🙂
deeg131 at gmail dot com
fawn says
P.S. I'm following you on Pinterest as the little deer. Thanks for the chances!
Sippity Sup says
I'm with you. Maple syrup is a splurge. I never buy any other kind, but I use it only rarely. GREG
dentistvschef says
Damn delicious pound cake!!!
i'm affraid i can't stop diggin....
Sue/the view from great island says
I love that you used maple extract in this cake, I have trouble locating it, but I treasure it when I find some...my ultimate splurge is that I spend what it takes to buy good quality, humanely raised meats, poultry, fish and eggs.
Elizabeth Lamontagne says
I subscribed to your emails!
[email protected]
Elizabeth Lamontagne says
I save on seafood, shopping what is on sale, but I splurge on delicious coconut butter.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
I've just subscribed to your email updates.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
Wow, that pound cake looks delicious! It would taste wonderful with a nice cup of tea. Good tea is one of my splurges, along with good extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I love Whole Foods.
Irene says
My favorite splurge is ice cream and good quality coffee. Both would go great with this awesome looking Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake. Yum! [email protected]
Rose-Marie says
I follow you on twitter! The Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake looks delicious everything wonderful in it!
Rose-Marie says
I'm subscribed to your newsletter!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I subscribed to your posts!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Well Abbe I can see why your husband was so happy! Love the maple addition. This is a beautiful cake and thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest! My favorite splurge is ice cream. Love that stuff!
Sock Monkey Diva says
I follow you on twitter @sockmonkeydiva
Sock Monkey Diva says
I subscribe to your email [email protected]
Sock Monkey Diva says
My favorite saving is rotisserie chicken. It's cheap and makes so many different meals.
Angie Schneider says
o pound cake...how I miss you! I seriously need to bake one for my afternoon tea. It looks heavenly.
Stephanie says
I subscribe - steph 0828 at hotmail dot com
Stephanie says
My favorite splurge is good cheese -Whole Foods is always a treat for that.
DeniseL says
And I follow you on pinterest as deniseleb
Thanks for the giveaway!
DeniseL says
I'm an email subscriber - dmarie824 at aol dot com
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
I was just thinking of you today when I did my shopping at Whole Foods! We should really meet there for lunch one month as we shop and prepare for our posts. I can see why your cake was such a hit at your house! I'd eat every last crumb!
DeniseL says
My favorite splurge is really good extra virgin olive oil. We use EVOO in almost everything we cook. We can really tell a difference in the finished product when we don't use the best. Whatever the price, it's totally worth it!
jacquie astemborski says
good chocolate.
Kitchen Riffs says
Real maple syrup is great! And it's all that we buy--but then, we're not huge users, so although it's expensive, it lasts. It's a good splurge, though, isn't it? And this cake sure looks good, too. Manservant has good taste. 🙂
Tracy R says
My favorite splurge is the cupcakes that they sell at Whole Foods. They look like the famous "Hostess Cupcakes" but they are a bakery item and so much better and decedant!
Elena says
Follow on Pinterest: pinterest.com/elena8
Elena says
I subscribe to your emails
[email protected]
Elena says
I splurge by buying organic products
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JC says
Follow on Pinterest @tcarolinep
JC says
I'm a subscriber
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
JC says
I splurge on cheese and olive oil, save on store brand staples such as soy milk and yogurt.
Liz Berg says
Chocolate for both! I splurge on high end chocolate for baking, but I also stock up when those Ghirardelli bars are on sale. I wish Bill was less picky as I really want to eat your cake...at least a slice. But I need him to polish off the rest!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Hi Abbe, when I think of splurges I think of ice cream and when I think about saving a rotisserie chicken is my go to for salads and what not.