Vanilla Sandcastle Cake

Last night we were invited to a pool party, and I was lucky enough to bring dessert.  One of the desserts I made was Vanilla Sandcastle Cake.  If you don't have that shape Bundt pan, feel free to use the shape of your choice, but it needs to hold 10 cups.

Cake:
2 2/3 c cake flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
16 T unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 c sugar
4 large eggs
1 t vanilla
2/3 c milk


Glaze:
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c water
1 T lemon juice
2 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 325.

Spray the sand castle cake pan VERY well with Bakers Joy (Pam with Flour).  Did I say VERY WELL.  Get all the nooks!!!!!

In a mixing bowl, place the flour, baking powder and salt.  Stir.  Set aside.

In a stand mixer (use the flat beater), beat the butter on medium until creamy and smooth - about a minute.  Add the sugar and beat until light and flour (which is approximately five minutes).  Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.  Add the eggs one at time.  Add the vanilla.  Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour.  Beat each additional until nearly smooth.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Put the batter into the pan evenly.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (about 55-60 minutes - KNOW YOUR OVEN).  Put the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool upright for 15 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a small pan over medium heat stir the sugar, water and lemon juice and heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla.

Set the rack over a baking sheet, and invert the cake onto the rack and carefully put the pan in the sink.  Cake is on the rack.  Pain the warm cake using the glaze.

IDEAS:  Put the cake on a large platter and surround with brown sugar (to make it took like sand).  You can also add ice cream scoops into the middle of the cake!

Not the best photo, but you get the idea:

William Sonoma Cake