LEMON ROSEMARY POUND CAKE

GARDENING NOTE: The Mediterranean herb, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), has graced gardens for centuries, its decorative appearance rivalling its culinary and medicinal value. Regrettably, it is not hardy where winters are severe. For year round use, dig, pot, and place inside near a sunny window.

~ Magnolia blossoms

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LEMON ROSEMARY POUND CAKE

~ decadent and worth every bite

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1 cup softened unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

5 eggs

2 cups sifted cake flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. snipped fresh rosemary (1 tsp. crushed dried)

1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1 1/4 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Lemon Glaze

sprigs of rosemary

flower petals

• Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease with butter 2 8x4x2-inch loaf pans. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar on medium speed about 6 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in honey. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition.
• Combine cake flour and baking powder. Gradually add to beaten mixture on low speed only until combined. Gently stir in snipped rosemary, lemon extract, lemon zest and lemon juice.
• Pour into prepared pans. Bake 45 minutes or until cake tests done with toothpick. Cool 10 minutes before removing. Drizzle with Lemon Glaze. Garnish cake with sprigs of rosemary and scatter with flower petals (like rose, violets, pansy, etc.)

Lemon Glaze

Sift 2/3 cup powdered sugar. Stir in 1 Tbsp. lemon juice.

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"The botanical name Rosmarinus is derived form the old Latin for 'dew of the sea', a reference to its pale blue dew-like flowers and the fact that it is often grown near the sea. It is a symbol or remembrance and friendship, and is often carried by wedding couples as a sign of love and fidelity.
Tradition says that rosemary will grow for thirty-three years, until it reaches the height of Christ when he was crucified, then it will die. Sprigs of rosemary were placed under pillows at night to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams. The wood was used to make lutes and other musical instruments. "

http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/info/herbs/rosemary.asp