Sour Cream Pound Cake with Toasted Almonds and Chocolate Bits

I swear this cake is calling my name...Yes, I have one more variation on the sour cream pound cake that I posted the other day, and it's presently sitting in my dining room calling my name. I can't resist this cake when it's around, so I am now calculating the calories burned on the elliptical, versus the caloric intake of the cake, and I think it's a push!

Sour Cream Pound Cake with Toasted Almonds and Chocolate Bits:

It's the same base recipe that you may have already seen in an earlier post. My feeling is that if you've found a great recipe, then why not stick with it?

Sour Cream Pound Cake

1/2 lb butter or Earth Balance (melted)

3 cups flour

3 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

5 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

Confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

• Melt butter

• Place all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl 

• Add eggs, sour cream, vanilla and melted butter

• Mix well with electric mixer on medium for 4-5 minutes

And here is the variation. Prepare the above and then add:

2 cups of toasted slivered almonds (cool before adding to the batter)

6  ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate (Callebaut Belgian Chocolate) or in a pinch the mini chocolate chips will do.

2 tsp of almond extract

Grease and flour bundt or tube pan; pour in batter and bake for 1.5 hours or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean; cool in the pan for 20 minutes and then insert knife around edges and remove gently from pan.  Place on rack until completely cooled.  Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

I have a smaller tube pan that I like to use, and then there is enough batter to make two small loaves for gifts

 

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!