Ingredients:

24 tablespoons (3 sticks) unsalted butter softened to room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

5 large eggs at room temperature

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup granulated sugar (glaze)

1/4 cup water (glaze)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (glaze)

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (glaze)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional (glaze)

1/8 teaspoon salt (glaze)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Generously and thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Whisk vanilla with buttermilk and set aside.

3. Add butter and sugar to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed for at least 3-4 minutes (no shorter!), until light and fluffy, scraping down sides occasionally. Reduce speed to medium and add eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears after each egg. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in thirds, alternately with buttermilk in between each third. Beat just until combined, giving the batter a final stir by hand to get any flour at the bottom.

4. Transfer batter to prepared Bundt pan and tap pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake at 325 degrees F until a wooden pick inserted near the center of cake comes out with a few crumbs, 50 60 minutes.

5. Place cake on a wire rack and let rest 5 minutes then poke holes all over the cake, going about 3/4 of the way down using the thin end of a chopstick. You may also use the back of a utensil or a skewer, but you’ll want wiggle it around so the holes become larger. Immediately after poking holes in the cake, make the Butter Glaze.

6. Add sugar, butter, water and salt to a medium saucepan. Heat on low until melted, stirring occasionally, without letting the mixture boil. Once melted, stir in the vanilla and optional cinnamon.

7. Remove 1/4 cup Glaze to use later. Spoon the remaining Glaze all over the bottom (which is now the top) of the cake, moving slowly so it has time to seep into the holes and not run over the edges of the cake. Let the cake cool for 30 minutes (no longer or the glaze can stick and harden like glue) then run a knife around the edges of the cake, shake a few times until loose then invert the cake onto a plate or cake stand.

8. Once the cake has cooled completely, rewarm the Glaze (DON’T let it boil) and brush it evenly all over the cake, moving slowly so it has time to seep in. Let the cake sit for at least one hour before serving, but it is much moister and more flavorful if allowed to rest overnight. If not serving immediately, tightly wrap cooled and set cake in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

9. Serve cake plain or amazing with fresh berries and whipped cream or strawberry or raspberry sauce.

Bon Appetit!