Pomegranate Fruit Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh pomegranate arils
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (plus additional for pan)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup buttermilk, (OR milk)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoons sparkling sugar, for topping

Instruction

1. Place the pomegranate arils on a paper towel-lined plate to remove some of the moisture and set aside.
2. Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9″ deep-dish pie plate.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the butter until creamy.
4. Add the sugar and beat on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until light and fluffy. Turn down the mixer and slowly blend in the egg, buttermilk, and extracts.
5. With the mixer on low, gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pie plate and smooth the top. Sprinkle the pomegranate arils on top of the batter, lightly pressing them down. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 350°F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and continue baking for 50 to 60 minutes, or until cake tests done with a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake.
8. Place the pie plate on a rack and allow to cool. Slice into wedges and serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or perfectly plain.