Honey Vanilla Pound Cake with Strawberries and Ganache for Dipping

This pound cake has been on my stack of things to try and given the 2 pounds of ripe fresh strawberries I have to serve with something I think this is a good day to bake.  It is adapted from a recipe from Ina Garten.  We really do like pound cakes and I am always on the lookout for recipes for them.  The fact it called for honey was another plus in my book.

Ingredients for Honey Vanilla Pound Cake:

2 sticks cool soft butter (not room temp.)
11/4 C. sugar
4 extra large eggs
2 t. vanilla
1 t. fresh lemon zest
2 C. sifted cake flour
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. baking powder

Butter a loaf pan and like the bottom with parchment paper.  Butter the paper and then dust with flour shaking the excess away then set aside.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream together the butter and sugar for 3-4minutes with electric mixer at medium speed.  Crack the eggs and place in a large glass measuring cup.  Add the vanilla and zest to the eggs but do not beat.  With the mixer on low speed add the eggs one at a time and beat together.  Add the whole amount with the last egg.

Whisk the sifted flour, salt, and baking powder together then add with the mixer on low speed until just blended.  Finish by folding by hand until just mixed.  Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a pick tests clean.

Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes.  Take the cake from the pan and cool completely.

Wash and hull berries and arrange on a platter.

Ingredients for Ganache:

2 C. semi sweet chocolate pieces
1/2 C. heavy whipping cream
1 T. corn syrup
Melt the chocolate and cream over simmering water in a glass bowl.  Stir until melted and add the corn syrup mixing well.  At serving time pour the chocolate into a small pitcher or bowl with a spoon and pass with the cake and berries.

While this cake is good I would rate it as a "3" compared to our favorite, the Chocolate Pound Cake posted on 5/15/11 which would receive my highest rating, a "5".