Kermakakku (Finnish Sour Cream Cake)

I love this cake. It is simple to prepare, flat out tasty, and just different enough that people will raise their eyebrows quizzically and ask "What's in here?" And yet, it tastes familiar enough that everyone will take a slice.

The Nordic flavors in this pound cake -- cardamom, almond, and pepper (!) -- really make this cake a knock-out. Plus, the presentation is tremendous. Highly recommended!

Kermakakku

From the Penzey's Spices catalog

2 eggs

2 c sour cream

2 c sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract

3 c cake flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 - 3/4 tsp ground white pepper

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 - 3/4 tsp cardamom

Powdered sugar, for dusting

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a tube or fluted tube pan and liberally sprinkle with sugar and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together flours, soda, salt and spices. Add the dry ingredients in thirds to the wet ingredients and beat well until the batter is smooth and combined. Pour into the pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, until set in the middle.

Cool on a rack fo 10 minutes and invert to cool. Dust liberally with powdered sugar; the granulated sugar on already on the cake will keep it from "melting."

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