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December 12, 2013

Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

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.

Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream 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 😉

Brown Butter Eggnog Pound Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

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.

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Filed Under: Cakes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says

    December 12, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Love this!!! I’ve never combined eggnog and salted caramel but it sounds so delicious. That buttercream with cream cheese is something!!

    Reply
  2. Eva @ Eva Bakes says

    December 12, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    You had me at browned butter. Drool…

    Reply
  3. Tieghan says

    December 12, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Give me. Ashely, this cake looks amazing! I love the eggnog with the salted caramel!

    Reply
  4. Ali @ Inspiralized says

    December 12, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    there are no words that can describe how amazing this is! I bet it tastes like heaven. beautiful photos, too!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says

    December 12, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Mmmm – this looks awesome! Love that you paired egg nog with salted caramel!

    Reply
  6. Julia says

    December 12, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    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!

    Reply
  7. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    December 12, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Brown butter and salted caramel make everything better : )

    Reply
  8. Dan from Platter Talk says

    December 12, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Beautiful, Ashley, and totally worth the pound(s)!

    Reply
  9. Jessica @ Portuguese Girl Cooks says

    December 12, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Oh my gosh, yes! This so looks so incredibly good!

    Reply
  10. Eileen says

    December 12, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    December 12, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    You are on a roll with the amazing desserts, lady! So what I’m trying to say is, I’m moving in. 😉

    Reply
  12. Ashley Bee @ Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine says

    December 12, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    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!

    Reply
  13. Kathryn says

    December 12, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    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!

    Reply
  14. Anna @ Bashful Bao says

    December 12, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    I want all those flavors right now…this.sounds.AMAZING!

    Reply
  15. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    December 12, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    The buttercream is just calling my name on this great looking pound cake. I need a spoon to dive in!

    Reply
  16. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    December 13, 2013 at 1:31 am

    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!

    Reply
  17. Ari @ Ari's Menu says

    December 13, 2013 at 4:57 am

    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!

    Reply
  18. Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker says

    December 13, 2013 at 5:03 am

    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!

    Reply
  19. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    December 13, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    That looks FAN tabulous! Just made up a word but I really don’t care. Yummy! Pinning.

    Reply
  20. Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness says

    December 13, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    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!

    Reply
  21. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

    December 13, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    I love eggnog – so mixed with salted buttercream – YUM! I’d love to try this!

    Reply
  22. Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says

    December 13, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Brown butter + eggnog + salted caramel = BEST. THING EVER.
    This cake looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  23. Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

    December 13, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    I need this cake with my morning coffee! Looove all the flavors here!

    Reply
  24. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    December 13, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    Ohhh baby, save me a BIG slice! This looks incredible, Ashley.

    Reply
  25. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says

    December 13, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    Can’t wait for the eggnog extravaganza! And this cake is a great way to start it off.

    Reply
  26. Kumar's Kitchen says

    December 14, 2013 at 1:17 am

    what is not to love about this gorgeous pound cake…terrific recipe and delicious flavors,thanks 🙂

    Reply
  27. Marcie says

    December 16, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    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.

    Reply
  28. katie says

    December 17, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    I’m not a big fan of eggnog but this sounds divine… i think you got me at the salted caramel buttercream! 🙂

    Reply

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Meet Ashley

Hey! I’m Ashley, a creative spirit with a major sweet tooth. Most days you can find me in my happy place: the kitchen. If I’m not there, I’m probably snapping photos of food, planning a party… or dreaming about my next trip to Paris (AKA my favorite place in the entire world). I’m a story teller, recipe developer, and photographer who firmly believes that a homemade life is a happy life. Learn More.

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