Ingredients
- For the nutmeg cake
- Scant 1 1/4 cups (6 ounces) all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (from about 1/4 of a nutmeg)
- 1 stick plus 1 tablespoon (4 1/2 ounces) butter, softened, plus more for the pan
- Generous 1/2 cup (4 1/2 ounces) solidly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- For the rum syrup
- 1/4 cup sugar syrup
- 2 tablespoons rum
Preparation
Step 1
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Butter a loaf pan, line the base of the pan with parchment paper cut to fit, and dust the pan and parchment with flour. Tap out any excess.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
3. Beat the butter with a mixer or by hand until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Whisk the eggs loosely in a small bowl and then add the vanilla extract. Add the egg to the butter mixture in two batches, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
5. Use a whisk as you would a spoon to fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk.
6. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and use a skewer to pierce the cake all the way down to the bottom in several places. Slowly pour the rum syrup over the surface of the cake. Let the cake cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer it, right side up, to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. When the cake has cooled completely, wrap it well in plastic wrap and keep it for a day, if you can, before slicing it to allow the flavors to mature.