Chestnut Pound Cake

This pound cake flavored with canned chestnut puree is oven-ready in five minutes.

Butter, for buttering pan
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground almonds
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (17 ounce) can sweetened chestnut puree
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup brandy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch springform pan.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, almonds, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add eggs and oil and beat well. Add chestnut puree and almond extract; beat until blended. Pour batter into pan and bake until tester inserted in center comes out clean (about 1 1/4 hours).

Remove cake from oven and slowly pour 1/2 cup brandy over top. Cool in pan 45 minutes, then carefully release sides of springform pan. Cake will be very moist. Cool completely, then wrap in plastic film and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

To serve, slice and overlap slices on a platter.

Makes one 8-inch round cake. Serves 10.

Per serving: 421 calories; 14.1 g fat (2 g saturated fat; 30 percent calories from fat); 60.1 g carbohydrates; 64 mg cholesterol; 169 mg sodium; 6.3 g protein; 2.4 g fiber