Not to be confused with a ladylike pastry, this party hearty cake is ready to rumble! Fragrant with vanilla and nutmeg, and loaded with brown sugar and pecans, this cake is further fortified with hefty rounds of bourbon.
INGREDIENTS (for 1 servings):
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 3/4 cups bourbon
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups butter
- 1 pound dark brown sugar
- 6 eggs
- 2 pounds chopped pecans
- 7 ounces pecan halves
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an angel food cake pan.
Sift flour, baking powder and nutmeg together in large bowl. In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup bourbon, the milk and vanilla.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Beat in brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Add the eggs to the mixture, beating one in at a time. Mix the flour mixture and the bourbon mixture into the large bowl, small amounts at a time. Using a wooden spoon, stir the pecan pieces into the batter. Transfer the batter to the prepared angel food cake pan. Arrange the pecan halves in circles on top of cake.
Cover the pan with foil. Bake 1 hour 40 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes. Let the cake cool 20 minutes before removing it from the pan. Pierce the cake with a fork or knife in a few places and pour 1 cup bourbon over the cake.