A cup of good coffee or tea and a slice of this spicy, fragrant, moist and delectable cake will make the world seem like a better place.  If you feel like gilding the lily, a dollop of fresh whipped cream turns this simple cake into a more formal dessert.

Black Pepper Ground 28 Mesh, Cloves Ground, Ginger Ground, Nutmeg Ground, Saigon Vietnamese Cinnamon Ground

For the cake:

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk or full fat yogurt
1 tablespoon grated fresh lemon zest (1 lemon)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon saigon vietnamese cinnamon ground
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg ground
1/2 teaspoon ginger ground
1/8 teaspoon black pepper ground
Pinch ground cloves ground
1 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, finely ground
 
For the soaking syrup:
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
 

Preheat the oven 350 degrees.  Lightly butter and flour a 9" Bundt pan.

To make the cake: Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle and beat until well creamed, 3 - 5 minutes.  Add the eggs and beat again.

Place the buttermilk, lemon zest and vanilla in a separate bowl and beat well.

Place the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, toss to combine and add, in three additions, to the butter mixture.  Alternate with the buttermilk mixture.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl between additions.  Add the nuts, if using, and mix again.

Place in the prepared pan, transfer to the oven and bake until a tester comes out clean, 45 - 60 minutes.

While the cake is baking, prepare the soaking syrup: Place the ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil over high heat for 2 minutes.

Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes, invert onto a plate and then prick the surface of the cake with a toothpick.  Brush on the soaking syrup and cool to room temperature.  Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and set aside for up to two days, turning every half day or so.  Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

Yield: 8
Level of Difficulty: 4
Time: 1 hour 25 minutes