I’m so happy we have finally reached the end of the week…..I know, don’t wish your life away! I don’t think its that I am in so much of a hurry for the week to end ( I still have so much to do), but I’m in a hurry for it to end just to get closer to warmer days. This morning I woke up to 23 degrees……sigh
When will it be over, no more cold weather…..please!!In case you haven’t heard the news, there’s going to be a food bloggers conference in Asheville, NC, July 8th and July 9th, and I’m part of the team bringing it to you!! So those of you within driving distance we expect to see you there! (or you can fly into Charlotte)So let’s get to the real reason everyone is here today, its Guest Post Friday, and today I get to introduce you to Kim from Liv Life. From the very first time I visited Kim’s blog I saw a passion for food in everything she did, and it made me smile…..she was one of us! Her passion is evident in her writing, especially when it comes to her family (say hi to Liv) and her two little guys, Tavo and Kona….
If you have never been to Liv Life before, your in for a treat. But I have to warn you, if your not hungry when you get there, I can promise you Kim’s delicious creations will have your stomach rumbling before your done reading her post!
When will it be over, no more cold weather…..please!!In case you haven’t heard the news, there’s going to be a food bloggers conference in Asheville, NC, July 8th and July 9th, and I’m part of the team bringing it to you!! So those of you within driving distance we expect to see you there! (or you can fly into Charlotte)So let’s get to the real reason everyone is here today, its Guest Post Friday, and today I get to introduce you to Kim from Liv Life. From the very first time I visited Kim’s blog I saw a passion for food in everything she did, and it made me smile…..she was one of us! Her passion is evident in her writing, especially when it comes to her family (say hi to Liv) and her two little guys, Tavo and Kona….
If you have never been to Liv Life before, your in for a treat. But I have to warn you, if your not hungry when you get there, I can promise you Kim’s delicious creations will have your stomach rumbling before your done reading her post!
So my friends, sit back, relax, put your feet up and try not to drool on your keyboard, as I give you…..
As I expressed my excitement to my daughter, Liv (Liv Life’s namesake), at having been invited to guest post on the esteemed Chef Dennis’ More than a Mount Full, I was immediately corrected, “No, Mom… he didn’t invite you, he invited Liv Life, that’s US!” So much for my ego.
While Liv worked on her English homework we batted around ideas of what we would make for Dennis. Chocolate? Hmmm… most everyone likes chocolate, so maybe. Salad? No… kind of boring. Bread? Perhaps… who doesn’t love a good loaf of bread? At this point she asked me to listen to her essay, a Myth, which in turn gave us our direction.
Big to Small – Why Ants are so Little
A myth by Liv
A long time ago in a light and happy forest ants were as big as elephants. The ants were all very generous and nice except for one ant, named Jerry. Jerry would always go around pushing, kicking and even stepping on animals smaller than him.
Then he would say things like, “Ha ha, why don’t you try growing bigger some time, but you will never be as big as me because I’m the biggest!”
One day the head of the forest (a tiger named Brent) called a meeting with everyone except the ants.
“We need to do something about all those ants.” He told the animals.
So the animals made an lemon flavored potion that they put into a cake and the next day Brent asked Jerry to have breakfast with him. The Lemon Cake was served and Jerry gobbled it up. After Jerry was done with his breakfast and he was walking home he started to feel like his skin was getting tighter. Actually, every ant was feeling like their skin was getting tighter. Then Jerry started looking up at animals instead of looking down.
“What’s happening to me?” yelled Jerry.
Brent came over and explained, “You and all the other ants in the world have shrunk. All of us animals are mad about you hurting us, so this is how we have made sure that it will never happen again.”
“Please! Please! Do not make me this small. I will do anything to be bigger.” begged Jerry.
But Brent just walked away and Jerry and all the other ants in the world were left small.
So there we had it, Lemon Cake! Pulling out my favorite Cooking Light Annual I turned directly to the well worn and somewhat splattered page of a long time favorite, Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake. With fresh, organic blueberries in the fridge and a bowl of lemons from my dad’s tree on the counter, Liv put aside her homework and we got to baking.
Lower in fat than most pound cakes, this version uses low fat cream cheese and non-fat yogurt in addition to butter to create a moist and light, yet tender pound cake. Adding fresh lemon zest and juice to the batter we increased the lemon punch that this cake brings with it’s sweet lemon glaze.
Serving the test of time, this cake has graced our tables since its 1998 publish date. My one bit of advice would be to tuck away a piece or two to enjoy with your coffee the next day, as left unattended this cake will disappear in a flash!
Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup lower in fat cream cheese, softened
3 large eggs
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 Tbs)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 (8 oz) carton non-fat lemon yogurt (I use vanilla if I don’t have lemon on hand!)
Cooking spray
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
4 tsp lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350º.
In a large bowl beat the sugar, butter and cream cheese at medium speed with a mixer until well blended
(4-5 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla, lemon juice
and lemon zest.
In a smaller bowl measure the 3 cups of flour. Remove 2 Tbs and sprinkle over the blueberries, gently
stirring and tossing to coat.
To the remaining flour add the baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir to combine. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture alternately with the yogurt, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, being careful not to over-mix. Gently, fold in the blueberries.
Pour the batter into a 10-inch tube pan (angel food cake pan) coated with cooking spray. Sharply tap the pan once on the counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. (I find that mine is done at about the 1 hour point…)
Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove cake from sides of the pan. Cool an additional 15 minutes on a wire rack, then remove the cake from the bottom of the pan. Allow to cool completely.
Combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the cake.
Cut with a serrated knife and serve. Enjoy!
How I would love a piece of that gorgeous cake….sigh
Thanks so much for stopping by, and please be sure to head on over to Liv Life and say hello. Just remember to tell Kim, Chef Dennis sent you!
Before we say goodbye I would like to announce the winners of my give away. Sarah-Jane from Silicone Moulds was nice enough to send me two silicone baking mats to give away and the winners selected by the random number generator are Wendy Irene from Give Love Create Happiness and Elin Luv from Elinluv’s Sweet Delights. Congratulations ladies!! Please email me your addresses and I will get your silicone baking mats off to you ASAP.
That’s it for this edition of Guest Post Friday, thanks for stopping by, I do appreciate your support and friendship.
Have a great weekend, stay full and please if the weather is cooperating get outside and have some fun!
Hi Kim, Hi Olivia, nice to see you on the east coast 🙂
loved the story about ants, naughty Jerry :)))
the cake looks amazing, would love a slice right now.
have a wonderful Thursday evening
Hi Kim and Liv, Your cake looks so very delicious and wouldn't last a day in our house. Love your story Liv, we all know a few Jerrys. Have a wonderful Friday 🙂
Dennis, thank you so much for inviting us to post on More Than a Mount full. Might I say that our photos look far better on your blog than they do on ours!!
We are sending some of our San Diego warm temps your way!!
XO
Chef Dennis ….OMG !!!!***skipping skipping and oinking around the office :p I can't believe my eyes when I read to the end of this post – I am so blessed to win that silicone baking mat.
Thank you Sarah Jane and Dennis for this giveaway for the much desired silicone baking mat. I have a set of heart shaped silicone moulds from Sarah Jane website and now this awesome baking mat 🙂
Hi Kim,
I enjoyed your story of Jerry and Brent and the Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake is AWESOME…so moist and less fattening too. No wonder Jerry gobbled it quickly 🙂 I would do the same too 😛 Thanks for sharing such a wonderful cake and the story behind it.
Thank you Kim and Dennis and have a wonderful day. Keep warm 🙂
Elin
I just love lemon cake and this sounds so delicious. So happy to see you and your daughter as guest writers this week. Great post!
Kim & Liv, some of my all-time favorites! I just loved Liv's myth. This cake, I could just reach out and grab a piece from the screen. It will be perfect with a cup of tea. Hope it warms up over there, I'm shivering for you Chef! Perfect friday guests!
-Gina-
Oh Liv, you don't know how happy this makes me (yes, I know you were the driving force behind ditching the chocolate and for whom you ditched it; thank you!).
I adore, love, crave lemon desserts. Lemon and blueberries. Lemon, blueberries and cake. ::sigh:: I'm happy. Really, really happy.
Chef, as always, great job (though you should have had this team here a long, long time ago!).
Love this post! Thank you, Kim, for the awesome story and that gorgeous, gorgeous recipe! Looks so good!
And thank you Chef Dennis for sharing! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the story, the spotlight and the recipe! Kim you should have know you would have been overtaken! too cute!!
Absolutely fantastic. Brava to Kim and Liv. Hope the weather gets warmer for you, Dennis!
Ohhh blueberries and lemons. That is perfect.
Hi Liv & Kim, So nice to read about you. Your cake is incredibly appealing, the close-ups puts me right into blueberry/lemon heaven!
Chef Dennis…i'm up late
can't sleep
do you think i can sleep now
after seeing that G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.
blueberry lemon pound cake???
Kim and Liv
loved your story sweetie
i'm in love with this cake
do you have room in your home for a 60 year old grandma…
i'm adoptable!!!
thanks Dennis!
BEAR HUGS
~victoria~
p.s. spring is coming to the East coast ~ promise
Beautiful pictures. I wish I had that cake on my cake stand right now…
And I wish I could come to NC for the blogger conference! Stay warm.
LOVE the myth!! And the cake too- it looks divine!
Great post! I have a feeling that cake will be making an appearance in my kitchen this weekend! I have all the ingredients in my kitchen, especially blueberries. I bought 60 pounds of wild Maine blueberries from Hancock County, the blueberry capital of the world this summer! I've enjoyed my visit today! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Mary
I was so excited to see that Kim and Liv where the guests this week! I knew it was going to be dangerous to see at their creation so late in the evening but it was worth it even just to look at the pictures. Great job girls! Oh and I'm totally going to tell this story-myth to the kids at school tomorrow.
I wish you all a great week-end. You made mine start already on a good foot!
Awesome recipe:)
What a fantastic pound cake! Thanks, Kim and Chef D!
Angie
Madre mía que bien te ha quedado, esto es una delicia.
Saludos
Liv cracks me up, the way she put Kim in her place, it's OUR blog! I love that kid and I don't even know her. And I love this cake too, it's simply gorgeous!
Dennis, fabulous guest post as always!!!
Kim, please tell Liv how much we lover her myth…oh, the imagination of the young. And the moist and gorgeous cake just can't be "light," can it? Wow!!!! Thanks for sharing~
Grazie per la condivisione della storia e per questa favolosa ricetta. Buon week end Daniela.
Kim & Liv,
So nice to see you doing the Chef's guest blog. Great post. Your Lemon Blueberry Cake id divine. I used to make a similar cake for my Mom's birthday. She loved lemon cake.
i have frozen blueberries in the freezer, and some lemons, fresh from the grocery, no lemon tree in my yard, sadly. I'll be making this soon.
Thanks chef for another great guest post
What a great myth! Liv is quite talented! And of course, so is mom…that cake looks amazing!! Another great find Chef!!
That was a great post. Thank you for sharing Liv's fabulous fable and more blueberries. I think I wouldn't mind a slice of that for breakfast.
Another fantastic guest post! I laughed at Liv bringing Kim's ego back down to size. Very cute! This is a pound cake I would love to have a slice of. It looks so moist and flavorful. Yummy!
Looks so good and makes me think of SPRING!!! Love your blog!
Fantastic guest post, but then I really didn't expect anything less :o)
The cake looks wonderfully moist and full of delicious berry goodness. Definitely bookmark worthy since I have quite a few blueberries left in my freezer.
I just loved Liv's story! It pulled me in from the title:) I don't have to be an ant to be tempted by this cake though, it looks so amazing and has my mouth watering!
Already love Liv Life's blog and have noted this spring-welcoming lemon cake. The folk tale was just a bonus! Many thanks.
I just commented on Kim's blog for this, it looks so gorgeous! Thank you so much for featuring her, she is truly a gem!
HI KIM! HI LIV! HI DENNIS!
I love a dose of LivLife every day! She has some of the yummiest recipes and stories in the foodie world… great guest post!!
The pound cake looks wonderful! mmmm! with all those blueberries… absolutely delicious!
Oh Man, this Cake is the best! I am swooning at the sight of such an awesome deliciousness!Ahh Haa Ooo Hoo!
Very charming story and the cake is lovely… how I enjoy lemon pound cake… blueberries make it very special!
Can't help but notice that pound cake it looks so beautiful! It's literally jumping out of my screen begging to be eaten lol! Great blog Kim and Liv:)
Liv and I had a chance to read all of your comments this morning on my phone as we were waiting before school. She had been a little concerned about posting the myth, thinking it was not her best work. I can't thank you enough for all of your lovely comments. Here eyes lit up and she went off to class with a smile.
Spring really is on the way!! Hang in there!!
delicious dessert kim
wonderful guest post Dennis
have a good weekend
Kim- so nice that Liv ispires you! It's important for our children to feel like they are a priority in our lives!
Okay – on to this bread! Love love love it! I must make it! I simply must! I think I just spent about 15 minutes staring at the computer screen trying to imagine what it tastes like! ♥- Katrina
OH my, nice to see such a gorgeous treat. These pictures are spectacular! I hope you and chef dennis have a great weekend.
Thanks for sharing.
This pound cake looks amazing! Love, love, love lemon :).
Kim and Liv, this blueberry and lemon cake is just calling my name! It looks so moist and flavorful and absolutely perfect for breakfast. Wonderful guest post! Thanks for sharing your talents in the kitchen and behind the lens. 🙂
This was such a wonderful post! So happy for you Kim and Liv at getting to do this guest post, it was so adorable I just loved it!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so exciting! 😀 What a great way to start the weekend. I really appreciate it and am totally doing a happy dance over here. You made my week and I can't wait to try it out!
The Blueberry Lemon pound cake looks amazing. The photos make me want to take a bite.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you very, very much!
As always thank you chef Dennis for introducing your friends. Kim, this is a mouthwatering recipe. Thanks.
WOOHOOO! I'm so glad to see Kim here! Two of my most favorite bloggers (and people!) here in one virtual place! Besides Foodbuzz, of course.
I just love the look of this melon poundcake. Kim, I've been admiring your photos since the day I found your blog and I really envy your eye for good food placement. One thing I CAN do is try to make this poundcake.
Happy Friday!
It's wonderful to see kim here. I have been following her blog for a while now 🙂
Her pound cake looks magnificient! I can see it's firm and moist but not crumbly….just the way it was meant to me!
This looks delicious, YUM!
Congrats to Kim and Liv . You are Top 9 #1 today 🙂
Great guest post! I'm a huge fan of Liv Life and this of course was a great read! Liv is so creative in her writing and this pound cake had me drooling from the beginning!
What a COOL write up and congrats on your top 9. You did such a terrific job here, Kim & Liv. Have fun!
Blessings, Kristy
Yay Kim and Liv! A gorgeous cake and a top 9! Congrats!
Congratulations on the Top 9 Kim! Well deserved!
Love this light, beautiful and yummy lemon pound cake. Beautiful photos, as well:-D
I definitely remember seeing that recipe in Cooking Light years ago. They even graced the cover of their 2000 cookbook, The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook. Yours looks fabulous. Maybe it's about time I made it! 🙂
Cute!
Chef, hope you and your wife are feeling better and thanks for sharing another talented blogger with us! I wish I could make the conference-the timing is off by a couple of weeks unfortunately.
Kim and Liv-love Cooking Light recipes, and this one looks like a keeper. Beautiful pictures, drool worthy!
Chef, you couldn't have picked a better guest post. All of her posts are fantastic and the food jumps right through the screen!
Kim, another great post. Love the pictures and the story. It's a family affair for sure. So, so good!
Liv and I waited up last night (way past her bedtime!!) and saw the post on the Top 9!! She let out a happy whoop and slid right into sleep.
I can't thank everyone enough for your kind words. My mother had hip surgery this week and we have been reading the comments on the phone to her at the hospital. Some of the nurses have been following along as well.
I can't say enough how happy I am to be a part of this community!!
XOXO
Kim & Liv =)
What a great guest post and what a luscious cake! The photo's jump right off the page! I loved your story also Kim…let's hope we don't allow any jerry's to spoil it for the rest of us! 😉
Thank you Dennis for another great post and for introducing me to Kim!
Congrats on top 9 ! Fantastic post, loved the addition of blueberries to the cake, will try this recipe shortly !
Gosh you've both excelled yourselves, Kim and Liv. Well done, Dennis, for bringing on the talent! Great story. We've all spent so much time trying to get around the horrid Jerry ants (sorry, Kim's Dad, but saw the disclaimer, hope nothing taken here!) I personally spend ages trying to help my kids do the playground battles. Kids are so tough to each other…
BUT, this gorgeous cake makes up for all of it and I'm sure Mum in hospital has had a few well deserved slices! Cheers to you all and congrats on top 9!
What a lovely guest post! Kim has a great blog and this recipe represents her wonderfully.
Congrats on the top 9 today! Kim has a wonderful blog and it is wonderful that you were able to highlight her talents! Have a great weekend Chef Dennis!!!
Yum! The cake looks delish. Question, though… angel food cake pan or Bundt pan? The cake in the photograph looks like it came from a Bundt pan.
That's a lovely pound cake, love all the blueberries in it! Thanks for sharing, great guest post 🙂
Oh goodness if that pound cake doesnt scream spring! It looks absolutely enjoyable! Thank you Chef Dennis for showing off Kin. Her posts are great!
Nikki, you have a keen eye! I did use a bundt pan for this cake, I think it's a little "prettier". However, I do use the angel food cake pan more often and find it's a bit easier to release from.
What a great guest blogger! Kim (& Liv) always whip up something good. Love the lighter version. Cute ant story too.
try not to drool on the keyboard is right!! this cake jumps off of my screen and pulls me wayyyy in – what a fun story!!!
It's too early in the morning and my stomach is grumbling looking at these photos! So beautiful, too.
Dennis, thank you once again for inviting us to Guest Post on More Than a Mount Full. I still haven't convinced Liv to show her English Teacher that her essay is "published", but I'm not giving up.
The reception we received here is beyond amazing, we are so lucky to be part of such a wonderful community. Oh how I wish I could attend your East Coast conference… Other than Felice (in Hawaii) I'm about as far away from you as can be…
Thanks again!
Kim & Liv
I love Kim's blog! Her food is so mouth watering, so as this pound cake!!! the picture just drew me in and i wish i could grab a piece from the computer. Beautiful dish kim!
Wonderful guest post as always…Looks absolutely glorious!
That story was awesome! I can even see how the blueberries could be like the little ants stuck inside that lemon cake. That first picture of the cake had me enthralled already. Then this post just got better! Thanks for sharing such a great story and a delicious treat with us!
WOW! That is one beautiful and fabulous looking cake! I can't wait to try this out!
Great blog; happy I found you!
Mary xx
Delightful Bitefuls
Hello fellow food blogger! Love your blog and this recipe combines 2 of my favorite flavors, love it!
I was wondering, have you ever blog hopped before? We'd love it if you contributed this awesome lemon berry pound cake one to our blog hop on favorite spring-time recipes. It's a great way to get links back to your site. It's really easy too.
The blog hop will go live here just after midnight:
http://www.recipelionblog.com/fabulous-food-friday-march-blog-hop
Thanks,
Sarah
Editor
RecipeLion.com
blog.recipelion.com
Dennis… I just wanted to thank you again for allowing us to be a part of your blog. Reeni just tagged me for the 7 Links Project, and Liv and I decided that this would be the post we are most proud of. I’m so happy that she felt comfortable to publish her myth, and I only wish my photos look as good on my blog as they do on yours!! Thanks again, Dennis.
Made this tonight for a stampin’ up party. We all loved it! Found you on Pinterest because you picture was so beautiful.
thank you for letting me know you made this and everyone enjoyed it! Pinterest is really a lot of fun, so many great pictures, Hope to you see you back soon!
I have never made it, but I have admired the photo of it on the cover of my Cooking Light cookbook for years! You and Liv make it look even better, Kim! Gorgeous photos! 🙂
Kath, I’m a little late in responding, but thank you!! You made our day!!
One of the BEST cakes I’ve ever made! Delicious!
I made the cake this weekend. It’s definitely a keeper. I did make one small change. I had used sour cream instead of the lemon yogurt. Everybody loved it. Thank you for sharing this recipe! ~ Dawn