A few years ago I wanted to include more traditions from my husband’s culture into our holiday. Since I was just learning to make Mexican dishes I didn’t want to do something that would not taste good because I didn’t know how to make it. I thought about what I could make for Posadas which begins on December 16th and continues for 9 days in celebration of the journey to Bethlehem. I began talking to my mother in-law about Posadas recipes and what I could do. She told me to start my own tradition by making something I wanted.
So one night in the shower (because all my great ideas happen in the bathroom) I was thinking about an Orange Pound Cake we had that evening and then wondered if I could make an Avocado one. I kept thinking “Why not?” Pounds are one of those versatile cakes that all sorts of flavors can be added to. So I went in search of a recipe that I could make my own. I ended up taking a basic pound cake recipe, adding avocados and thus created the one below. My friend Holly and I get together at her house (because she has a double oven) and we bake up about 20 of these pound cakes. She likes to give some as holiday gifts and I need to give a big shout out to her for the photos of my cake because she is the best photographer I know. When I told I wanted a couple of photos she staged everything and got some great shots for me!
Before I give my recipe I should tell you that when I make these I only use Avocados from Mexico because firstly they are the best avocados I have ever had and secondly it somehow just wouldn’t seem right. Holly laughs at me but celebrating a Mexican holiday with avocados from somewhere else seems un-holiday like to me. I only buy Avocados from Mexico but during this particular holiday I make 100% percent sure. It is one of those silly OCD things I really can’t help. Avocados from Mexico has some wonderful fan recipes that you can check out as well if you are not sure what to make with them. Not to mention the Posada recipes (click is in top paragraph) from celebrity Chef Pepín
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (Be sure to use unsalted butter as salted will change the taste of the cake!)
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ripe mashed avocados
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (You can pure vanilla extract if you prefer)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Directions:
- Preheat to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans
- Whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda then set aside.
- In a separate bowl beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy,about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add avocado and beat for another 2 minutes. Don’t forget to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as you need to.
- Add eggs, one at a time, and beat for 1 minute after each addition.
- Make sure everything is well mixed together then beat in vanilla.
- Add 1/2 the flour mixture and mix (on low-speed) until incorporated.
- Add the buttermilk and the remaining flour mixture again just incorporating it.
- Now you can finish mixing everything by hand. About a minute or two.
- If you are using any of the additions below now is the time to add them an incorporate them into the batter.
- Divide between pans and bake for 45 minutes. Be sure to let the cakes cool for about 20 minutes. They will last for 4 days if wrapped well at room temperature. If you freeze them they will last for about 5 months.
Variations/Toppings:
Add 1 cup coconut flakes to batter for Coconut Avocado Pound Cake, sprinkle flakes on top of cake as well. (I pour batter into a bundt pan when I make this version and use the glaze listed below)
Top with glaze: Take 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and 3 (maybe more) tablespoons milk. Mix together to get desired consistency. Drizzle onto cake.
I sometimes serve this with whipped cream and orange slices. I also on occasion add in pecan or candied cherries. They make the cake richer and give it a nice hearty flavor.
Be sure to check out all the recipes other bloggers have shared as well!
**This is a sponsored post in connection with Latina Bloggers Connect and Avocados from Mexico. however all opinions and recipes are 100% my own.**
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Sounds amazing!!! I’ve only tried lemon pound cake now I’m interesting in the avocado and orange one….love your avocado recipes I use to just eat slices with salt on them
This looks so tasty. I will have to try to make it. I think my husband would love it
Another clever use of avocados by Rita! This looks like quite the scrumptious cake. Thank you for the creative recipes.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I love avocados, they are so healthy! But I made a Cranberry Orange Nut bread over the Christmas Holiday that tastes so delicious, but it fell in pieces. I see that your Avocado Pound Cake did not fall apart. I like the avocados in this recipe with the cornmeal as an ingredient. I would love to try this. I hope that mine turns out as good as yours looks!
I love avocados.. I will have to try this. Thanks!
When I read the title, quite honestly I though, “ewww.” But the photo looks so appetizing and I love all the ingredients. I just won’t tell my husband why the cake looks greenish!
Yum, yum, this looks very good, making me hungry, thanks for sharing
We love pound cake. This recipe threw me off for a second. We like avocados in a lot of other foods so I think this would be a hit. Thanks for the recipe.
Omg… Ever since I was little, I hated avocado. It’s so bland and to me it just looks creepy. But, I’m actually going to give this a try, being that avocado may give the pound cake a thick consistency.
Wow! I’ve never heard of an Avocado Pound Cake! Very clever of you — it looks great!
I have never used avocados , but this really looks delicious. A great way to get the nutrition of this great fruit.
this is a totally new recipe to me but it sounds great! the only thing Ive ever made with avocados is baby food lol. i think id like to try it with the coconut flakes like you mention bc I love coconut but im not sure how Id like it in this. def willing to give it a try though
This is an absolute new one to me! You are awesome and by far a better cook than myself based on other recipes as well. I would love to make this for my hubby. I think they would make great gifts for the holidays too, but sadly avocados are too expensive here, esp in the winter.
Oh man this looks good!I am definitely pinning it and I can’t wait to make it! We are huge avocado and pound cake fans here so this is going to be a favorite,I just know it!
Very unusual it sounds terrific. And I just happen to have all these ingredients but the buttermilk – I would love to try this. I’m very fond of avocados and like to experiment with new recipes – this is a definite one to try! I’d like to make it for the holidays and see if anyone figures out the “secret” ingredient of avocado!!!
I’ve recently got on the “avocado” train and I just love it! I can’t imagine it in a pound cake but I’ve gotta try it!
This makes me think of St Patties Day but I really need something to make with my bargain avacadoes. They are so cheap sometimes and I go overboard with too many. Of course they all ripen at the same time, so this is a perfect and yummy recipe. Thanks!
I tried this avocado pound cake and it tasted good but not much of Avocado flavor n green color. Pls advice to improve.Thanks
Try to add extra avocado and see if that helps you.