POM and Orange Yogurt Cake

The nice people at POM Wonderful sent me a case of their yummy POM (pomegranate) juice to try. Pete and I have been enjoying all the benefits of the pomegranate juice over the past few weeks. Pete is loving his mixed with some vodka. Nothing but the healthiest for my baby. I've been scratching my head over what to make with the juice and really wanted to do a baked good. Last night I was hanging out with Erin and she made a yummy lemon yogurt cake and we both thought it could be adapted and made into a pomegranate yogurt cake. It was a success. (This recipe is an adaptation of the Barefoot Contessa's lemon yogurt cake recipe.)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1 1/3 cup sugar, divided

3 large eggs

1 1/2 oranges zested

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)

1/3 cup POM juice

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a loaf pan (I made mini loaves and the recipe made three).

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, orange zest and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula fold the vegetable oil into the batter until its incorporated. Then fold the pomegranate arils into the batter.

Pour the batter into the bread pan(s) and bake for 50 minutes (with the mini loaf pans they baked for 35 minutes), or until cake tester placed into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, cook the 1/3 cup POM juice and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and place on a cooling rack over a sheet pan. While still warm, pour the POM juice and sugar mixture over the cake and allow to soak in. Allow to cool.

ENJOY!

Pete and I really enjoyed this cake. Thank you again to POM Wonderful for their generous gift of yummy and nutritious juice.