Ingredients
- 1 9.5-ounce bag soft caramel candies, such as kraft classic caramels, unwrapped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup or 1.5 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 cup eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
Preparation
Baking Directions:
The cake is best presented as a gift in a baking pan.
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch non-stick, metal loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.
Line the bottom of the pan with a 14-by-3.5-inch piece of parchment paper.
Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray.
Line the sides of the pan with a 14-by-7-inch piece of parchment paper.
Set aside.
In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream over low heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candies have melted and the mixture is smooth, which takes about 10 minutes.
Set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
In a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, which takes about two or three minutes.
Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the eggs and vanilla.
With the machine running, gradually add the flour mixture to form a thick batter.
Beat in the peanut butter.
Transfer half of the batter to the prepared pan.
Pour 2 tablespoons of the caramel lengthwise along the center of the batter.
Using the tip of a knife, swirl the caramel sauce into the batter.
Place the remaining batter on top and pour another 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce lengthwise along the center of the batter.
Swirl the caramel sauce into the batter.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool for 10 minutes.
Remove the cake from the pan and peel away the parchment paper.
Cool completely on a wire rack, which takes about 1 hour.
Slice the pound cake and place on a serving platter.
Warm the remaining caramel sauce over low heat.
Drizzle the caramel sauce over the pound cake slices or serve alongside.
