Lemon Yogurt Cake with Ginger-Thyme Syrup

 

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. butter, room temperature

1 1/2 C. white sugar

4 eggs

1/2 C. lemon juice

2 T. lemon zest

1 C. plain, whole milk yogurt

 

Pre-heat oven to 350°F Grease and flour a large (9 x 5 x 3″) loaf pan. Lightly whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside. In another large bowl, using an electric beaters if possible, beat butter until fluffy, then beat in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, then add lemon juice and zest. Beat in yogurt. Mixture may curdle, but don’t worry–it will come together when the dry ingredients are added. Add dry ingredients and mix gently just until blended. Spoon into pan and place in oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until done. The cake will be golden brown on the outside and spring back when you lightly press the middle with your fingers. Meanwhile, while the cake is baking, make the ginger-thyme syrup.

 

1 C. sugar

1/2 C. water

2″ piece of fresh, peeled ginger, sliced into coins

3 large sprigs of thyme

 

Combine all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat a little and cook until the syrup has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes total. Strain out the ginger and thyme and keep warm until the cake is out of the oven. I did this by leaving the pan on my stove top, which was warm from the oven below. Remove cake from the oven, turn out onto a rack and let cool 5 minutes. Place on a serving plate and spoon some of the syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak in. You will most likely not use all of the syrup but it’s very nice to whisk a T. or so into some heavy whipping cream to serve along side the cake. Or you can keep it in the refrigerator, where it will come in handy for cocktails.