"Big" dinner #2, part 4: Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake with Vanilla Glaze and Strawberries

The scent of actual vanilla beans (not candles or whatever else can be 'scented' as such) is nearly intoxicating to me.  Every time I have a recipe where I am using one, I confess: I spend at least 10 minutes just picking up the pod and smelling it.  So, enough about my strange habits lol...this cake is a great one to make when you are in the mood for a dessert that is just sweet enough to satisfy, and doesn't make you feel like you need to go spend 6 hours at the gym making up for 2 bites.

Link to original recipe:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/vanilla-bean-bundt-cake-with-vanilla-glaze-and-strawberries

Ingredients:

--cake--
butter and flour to prepare pan
1 tsp. bourbon
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, beans scraped out
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. plus 6 T. (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. (packed) golden brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/2 c. buttermilk

--glaze--
2/3 c. powdered sugar
4 tsp. (or more) whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

strawberries and sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.  Butter and flour standard Bundt pan (recipe says to use non-stick spray on top of this, but I forgot and it was just fine).

2. Pour bourbon in to small bowl.  Add scraped vanilla bean seeds and stir to combine.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

4. Cream butter and both sugars with electric mixer until light and fluffy.

5. Add eggs and yolk, blend well.

6. Beat in bourbon-vanilla mixture.

7. Add flour mixture in 2 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions.  Beat until just blended.

8. Transfer batter to prepared pan and spread evenly.

9. Bake for 55 minutes.  Cool in pan for 15 minutes on rack, then invert and let cool completely.

10. To make glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl.  Add more milk one teaspoon at a time if needed (I did not need to do so).

11. Drizzle over cake, pouring in a zigzag pattern.

12. Toss desired amount of strawberries with a little sugar in a bowl and let stand for a few minutes to form glaze.

13. Serve a slice with some strawberries and enjoy!