Heads Up, 7-Up! {Pound Cake}

Did you ever play Heads Up, Seven Up when you were a kid?  It was the one thing I looked forward to most on those rainy days when we weren't allowed to play outside for recess.  I always had so much fun playing and trying to guess who had touched my thumb and I just loved that it was named after one of my all-time favorite sodas, 7-Up.  (Or Siete Arriba, as my kiddies like to call it.  In Mexico, we just call it Seven.)

Well imagine my surprise as I leafed through my new United Cakes of America cookbook and came across a recipe for 7-Up Pound Cake.

A cake made with 7-Up!  I've heard of Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper cakes, but never a 7-Up cake.   As weird as it sounded, I couldn't help but think that the combination of 7-Up and lemon juice (I used lime juice) would make a nice flavor combination for a cake.

It wasn't just a nice combination, it was a match made in Heaven.  This cake was full of lemony flavor and everything a pound cake should be.   If I hadn't made the cake myself, I never would have guessed that it was made with 7-Up.   

I can't think of a better way to kick off 31 Days in My Cocina than with a delicious pound cake that goes perfectly with my lemon/lime theme.
 

7-Up Pound Cake
(adapted from United Cakes of America)

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (I used unflavored Maizena)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup 7-Up 
• 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 whole eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 335°F and place oven rack in the center position.  Lightly grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan or any tube pan you have on hand.  (I have yet to find a Bundt pan here in Mexico.) 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt; set aside.

 In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine the 7-Up, lemon juice and vanilla; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until very light and fluffy.

Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, making sure to scrape the bowl occasionally, to ensure that everything is thoroughly combined.

Alternately add the flour and 7-Up mixtures, a quarter at a time, until everything is well combined.

Gently pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake at 335°F for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert it onto a heatproof plate and let cool for an additional 15 minutes.  While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl.  (If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk until desired consistency.) 

Slowly drizzle glaze over cake.  Enjoy!!!