CIDERED-UP POUND CAKE

Sweet apple cider gives this spiced up pound cake its personality.

2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 1/4 cups sugar
6 big eggs
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat butter and shortening at medium speed of electric mixer until soft and creamy. gradually add sugar, beating 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
Combine flour and next 5 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with apple cider, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour batter into a greased and floured tube or bundt pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cool in pan for 15 minutes; remove and allow to cool completely. Drizzle with:

Warm Caramel Glaze

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes, stirring often. Drizzle over warm cake.

“A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece”~Ludwig Erhard