Sesame Pound Cake

Name: Sesame Pound Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8-10 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 4 large eggs; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1/3 cup sesame seeds, toasted, divided; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Fresh fruit, optional

Jane Finney's seed-studded cake has a pleasant crunch. "It's wonderful garnished with fresh fruit," suggests this East Grand Forks, Minnesota cook.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup sesame seeds, toasted, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh fruit, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine milk, vanilla and lemon zest; set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon sesame seeds. Combine remaining sesame seeds with the flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating well after each addition.
Pour into a greased and floured 9x5-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with reserved sesame seeds. Bake at 325° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with fruit if desired.