Almond Pound Cake with Strawberry Compote

INGREDIENTS

For the cake

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups sugar

• 3 eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• ¾ cup Mariani Sliced Almonds (plus more for sprinkling on top)

For the dressing

• 1 pound strawberries

• ¼ cup sugar

• Juice of 1 lemon

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 12-inch bundt pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

3. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with beater attachments, beat together the butter and sugar until combined.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again until combined. Add the sour cream and oil and mix until incorporated.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until you have a smooth batter.  Fold in the sliced almonds.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a cooling rack.

6. While the cake is baking, make the strawberry compote.  Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a saucepan and bring to medium heat.  Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the strawberries are mushy and there is a thick syrup forming in the pan.

7. Serve a slice of cake with a dollop of strawberry compote and a sprinkle of sliced almonds on top.