Published: · Modified: by Chef Dennis Littley · 90 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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!
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 ¾ cups granulated sugar
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup lower in fat cream cheese, softened
3 large eggs
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 Tbs)
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 (8 oz) carton non-fat lemon yogurt (I use vanilla if I don’t have lemon on hand!)
Cooking spray
½ 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!
More Cake Recipes
About Chef Dennis
Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®.
Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures.
For more details, check out his About page.
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! 🙂
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!
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.
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:
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!
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!
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
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.
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!!!
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!
Charity
One of the BEST cakes I’ve ever made! Delicious!
Kath
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! 🙂
Kim - Liv Life
Kath, I’m a little late in responding, but thank you!! You made our day!!
Angela B
Made this tonight for a stampin’ up party. We all loved it! Found you on Pinterest because you picture was so beautiful.
Chef D
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!
Kim - Liv Life
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.
Sarah
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
Mary
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
Maranda
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!
Magic of Spice
Wonderful guest post as always…Looks absolutely glorious!
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron
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!
Kim - Liv Life
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
Shirley
It's too early in the morning and my stomach is grumbling looking at these photos! So beautiful, too.
mangiabella
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!!!
BakingWithoutABox
What a great guest blogger! Kim (& Liv) always whip up something good. Love the lighter version. Cute ant story too.
Kim - Liv Life
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.
Kita
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!
Anncoo
That's a lovely pound cake, love all the blueberries in it! Thanks for sharing, great guest post 🙂
Nikki
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.
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet }
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!!!
A Thought For Food
What a lovely guest post! Kim has a great blog and this recipe represents her wonderfully.
Jill Colonna
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!