MAMA’s 7UP Pound Cake #GrandbabyCakesBook
I have a confession to make; I’m a cookbook junkie. I used to be a book junkie back in my day through college but then grad school happened and I had no time to read for pleasure. Then halfway through my PhD, I decided I needed some outlet other than science so I started teaching myself how to bake, got hooked on cookbooks and the rest is history you already know (since that’s how this blog started). My point is I really really like cookbooks.
I have three piles – ones that I like and bought on the spur of the momemt (aka the hubs has permission to throw away when he goes on his binge cleaning sphere); ones that I LOVE and browse for recipe and photography inspiration every now and then (Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Sprinkle Bakes, Surprise Inside Cakes to name a few) and finally ones that I use over and over again and cannot be caught without them EVER (Baking Chez Moi, BHG Bridal Cookbook, Test Kitchen and now Grandbaby Cakes – Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories.)
For a book to make it to this last group, it needs to not only be inspiring & beautiful but it should also evoke an emotion. An emotion to go straight to the kitchen to bake up everything and this was the indication that Jocelyn’s new cookbook deserves a spot on my coveted favorite list.
Grandbaby Cakes is full of vintage recipes from Jocelyn’s Grandmother and family memories. Each recipe is inspired by a family member and has been passed down from one generation to another. This 7UP Pound Cake was passed down from her grandmother to her mother and now to Jocelyn (and all of us!). Grandbaby Cakes shares more than just recipes, it shares with us the one ingredient that makes every homemade treat special; a pinch of love. The book also has classic recipes (like pound cakes & peach cake) that Jocelyn puts a contemporary spin on, like her red velvet cake that sports a blackberry compote filling and neopolitan mini bundt cakes. This is one cookbook you need in your kitchen and I urge you to hurry and grab a copy (anywhere cookbooks are sold & online Amazon).
I had several recipes bookmarked to make and it was hard to pick which one to start with. I narrowed it down to her Real Deal Caramel Cake (because duh, caramel!!) and this pound cake. I eventually went with the 7UP pound cake because Jocelyn’s mama says the soda gives you the moistest (??) cake ever! And she is right. This is the best pound cake I’ve had. It’s remarkably soft, fluffy and crumbly to the taste.
I am very excited to make more recipes from this book. It inspires me to collect favorite recipes to pass down to my family. It is the reason I started baking after all; to be able to make memories with my kids.
MAMA's 7UP Pound Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups sifted cake flour
- ½ cup 7UP soda, room temperature
Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3 tablespoons 7UP soda
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar with lemon zest. Using your fingers, rub the zest into the sugar until fragrant.
- Add the butter and salt to the bowl and cream together with sugar. Beat on medium-high for 7 minutes, until pale yellow and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, combining well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Reduce speed to low and slowly add the flour in two batches, mixing each time until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the 7UP and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 75-85 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Let cool to room temperature.
For Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until it’s pourable.
- Once the cake is completely cool,, spoon glaze over the cake and allow to harden.
Notes
Adapted from Grandbaby Cakes (the cookbook); published with permission from Author & Agate Publishing
To celebrate the release of her cookbook, Jocelyn is hosting a HUGE giveaway that you do not want to miss. Use the widget below to enter. Good luck!
Disclaimer: The giveaway will run from September 15th- October 5th. Winners will be randomly selected on October 6th and notified. The contest is only open to United States residents. All items will be shipped separately by each brand.
I’ve never had a 7up pound cake before, and I’m from the south. It’s a darn shame! I seriously need to get my act together and make this recipe. You did a great job recreating it from Jocelyn’s book!
Yeah Jen you need to fix that!!
I’m a cookbook junkie too, and I just can’t stop! I’ve gotten rid of some that I never got around to using, but some are my tried and true favorites. Jocelyn’s book is going to be my go-to book for delicious cakes, and I seriously need to try this one. I looks delicious!
nice pound cake, I imagine with the lemon zest flavor it’s amazing
It is!! The lemon really brings out the flavor.
Another cookbook junkie here! I have so many, that I am running out of space and if I would want to cook through all of them I think I would eat something new every day for the next couple of years. But despite all of them I still strugle to think what to make for dinner and end up making stuff that I made already a 100 times before. Ah well. I never heard of the 7up cake, but this one looks delicious. Sometimes all you need in life is a simple pound cake.
I am running out of space too Kristina lol! I do struggle too…isn’t that weird? You need to try this cake, you will love it.
This cake looks divine! Pound cake reminds me so much of my sweet mama and grandmother. They would sit with a big slice of pound cake a pot of hot tea and visit for hours. I can’t wait to try this pound cake. Love the addition of 7-up. The cookbook sounds wonderful and I, too, have a love of cookbooks.
I hope you try it!! I know you will LOVE it! Do let me know when you try it.
Hi Zainab! I’m a daily reader and I share your love for cookbooks as well. I love reading them and creating recipes from them! I was wondering if you would ever do a review on your cookbooks? Like a mini “tour” of baking cookbooks you own? Where you suggest which ones are really good?
Hi Jessica! Thanks for the lovely comment. That is a great idea and I think I just might do a few reviews 🙂
This girl LOVES pound cake!! And if Grandma says to use 7UP, I’ll listen! 🙂
Exactly my thought process!
I am a total cookbook junkie too! I can’t wait to add this one to my collection – this pound cake looks DIVINE!
You will love it Jessica! And all the recipes in it.
This pound cake looks so perfectly baked- spongy and delicious!
Thanks dear!
This looks awesome! Love the 7UP- and aren’t cookbooks just awesome?!
I am so in love with this cake too! I am so so grateful that this book has made it into your coveted collection of those you will use again and again. That is the biggest compliment ever. And thank you so so much dear friend for being part of this. Love you!
Thank you for sharing your family recipes with us in this lovely book.
Zainab you are in good company with your cookbook junkieness so no worries at all. Love the cake.
I’m glad we all love books around here!!