Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake

John's parents have a lovely tradition of taking us out to dinner for Valentine's Day, usually a week or so after the holiday. We typically go to a great Italian place by them but after listening to us constantly brag about the great restaurants by us they wanted to come down and give one a shot. I knew they'd be coming back to our house for dessert so I wanted to make something delicious and light, yet not obviously light. I really try to not force my food choices upon others because it's not fair to make everyone eat the way I do, but I figured a lightened up pound cake would appease everyone. I dressed up these slices with some light cool whip, sliced strawberries, and chocolate drizzle. It was unreal. I could have easily eaten two slices, but that would completely defeat the purpose of making a "light" cake. Nobody even knew it was a lightened up recipe because it truly tasted rich and delicious. If you need a dessert recipe for a crowd try this- it's seriously delicious.



Source: Adapted from Cooking Light

Ingredients:
1.5 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg white
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt); stir with a whisk. Place sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg white, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and buttermilk to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

3. Spoon batter into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pans. Cool completely on a wire rack.

4- Slice into 10 slices.

** 5 points per slice, 3/4 inch each