When it comes to eggnog, I was a late (late, late, late!) bloomer. For as long as I can remember my mama and brother did a little nog toast on Christmas eve, and I never wanted a thing to do with it. See, Christmas eve is when we got to pick our special drink of the year (yeah, of-the-year!), and in my kid brain, something that looked like milk SO wasn’t the way to go. I mean, mountain dew?! Cherry coke?! Yeah. Those were my guys.
It wasn’t until one year they decided to tell me I couldn’t have any because I wouldn’t like it that I decided to give it a go. After one sip I declared my love for it, and never went back.
Dramatic? Me? Neeeeeever.
Needless to say, I’m so excited about eggnog these days! In fact, my next 3 (possibly 4, if I can work the kinks out in a recipe I’m testing) posts are hot and heavy with the nog, so um, this is your warning 😉
Todays post celebrates both the nog, and a personal favorite, SALTED CARAMEL! Oh, and browned butter. Which is my soul mate, I’ve discovered.
Awkward? Moving on!
The pound cake base is beautifully laced with a strong eggnog flavor, and has an almost velvety crumb. It was honestly so lovely it didn’t even need a thick robe of salted caramel buttercream. But hey – why not?!
The salted caramel buttercream is everything you dream a good buttercream will be, and then a little more. I loved how bold the caramel taste was, with just a hint of salt and here and there. It helps wrap each bite into the perfect little present for your… mouth. Yep.
Happy Thursday, loves! xo
Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream – Baker by Nature
Yields two loaves of cake
Ingredients:
For the Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted until browned, then cooled
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup eggnog
1 teaspoon orange zest, optional
For the Salted Caramel Buttercream
4 ounces unsalted butter, very soft
(1) 8 oz package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup cooled caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling (for this particular cake I was lazy and just melted down some Kraft caramels and a little cream, and it worked great)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 cups confectioners sugar
Instructions:
For the Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Butter two large loaf pans, and dust lightly with flour. Place the pans on a large baking sheet; set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
Place the sugar and orange zest in a large bowl, and working with your fingers, rub them together until the sugar is moist and thoroughly imbued with the fragrance of orange.
Add the eggs to the sugar and whisk them into the sugar, beating until they are thoroughly incorporated. Whisk in the vanilla extract, then whisk in the eggnog. Switching to a large rubber spatula, gently stir in the dry ingredients in 3 or 4 additions; the batter will be smooth and thick. Finish by folding in the cooled browned butter. Pour batter into the prepared pans and smooth with a rubber spatula.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Frost cakes with salted caramel butter cream once completely cooled.
For the Salted Caramel Buttercream
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla. Add Caramel sauce and salt, then, a 1/2 cup at a time, add the powdered sugar. Place the bowl in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before frosting cooled cakes.
Love this!!! I’ve never combined eggnog and salted caramel but it sounds so delicious. That buttercream with cream cheese is something!!
You had me at browned butter. Drool…
Give me. Ashely, this cake looks amazing! I love the eggnog with the salted caramel!
there are no words that can describe how amazing this is! I bet it tastes like heaven. beautiful photos, too!
Mmmm – this looks awesome! Love that you paired egg nog with salted caramel!
I’m literally making eggnog this morning and was JUST thinking about what to use it for! This pound cake looks amazing, dear! Definitely down to make a loaf for my family for weekend brunch!
Brown butter and salted caramel make everything better : )
Beautiful, Ashley, and totally worth the pound(s)!
Oh my gosh, yes! This so looks so incredibly good!
I can relate–I didn’t like eggnog until maybe two or three years ago. You’d think by the ripe old age of 33 or 34 I would have already developed a taste for rich sweet holiday drinks, but evidently not. 🙂 Of course this year I’ve been drinking eggnog in my coffee sine black Friday, so…yeah. This eggnog cake sounds SO good! Maybe even with a cup of eggnog coffee for total eggnog overload!
You are on a roll with the amazing desserts, lady! So what I’m trying to say is, I’m moving in. 😉
This looks incredible! My fiancee keeps buying eggnog and I keep taking tiny sips because it upsets my tummy but I love it so. I’ve been trying to figure out how to put it in a baked good, this looks like a good one to try!
I don’t *really* know what eggnog is (we don’t have it over here) but I do know that I’d really like this cake!
I want all those flavors right now…this.sounds.AMAZING!
The buttercream is just calling my name on this great looking pound cake. I need a spoon to dive in!
Aww…love your “falling in love” story with eggnog, Ashley! I didn’t like milk as a kid either, but I did love me some ‘nog! LOVE your eggnog poundcake and all her special adornments. Irresistible! Cannot wait to see your next round of ‘nogness. 😉 I’m making my eggnog cookies this weekend along with other Christmas cookie baking mania. Pinning!
Oooooomg. I was sold by the title alone, but after looking at the photos and ingredients, I am OBSESSED. This looks amazing Ashley!! Velvety crumb? Sign me up!
Things always taste better when people tell us we’re not supposed to eat them (like those cookies mom baked for a party ;)). However, I’m pretty sure this cake would taste amazing under any circumstances. I’ve always been an eggnog lover so this sounds like a perfect cake for me!
That looks FAN tabulous! Just made up a word but I really don’t care. Yummy! Pinning.
Ashley, girl, you just gave me so many brownie points (pound cake points?) with my hubby! He loves everything cake, eggnog and butter. Thanks for helpin’ a girl out ;)! Pinned!
I love eggnog – so mixed with salted buttercream – YUM! I’d love to try this!
Brown butter + eggnog + salted caramel = BEST. THING EVER.
This cake looks gorgeous!
I need this cake with my morning coffee! Looove all the flavors here!
Ohhh baby, save me a BIG slice! This looks incredible, Ashley.
Can’t wait for the eggnog extravaganza! And this cake is a great way to start it off.
what is not to love about this gorgeous pound cake…terrific recipe and delicious flavors,thanks 🙂
I don’t much like drinking eggnog, but I love it in baked goods. This pound cake sounds so incredible with all of those flavors! It looks so rich and gooey.
I’m not a big fan of eggnog but this sounds divine… i think you got me at the salted caramel buttercream! 🙂