KENTUCKY BOURBON CAKE

Marinate raisins in 1 cup of the bourbon for at least 1 hour, up to 12 hours; drain, reserving both raisins and bourbon. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch Bundt cake pan or other tube-cake pan. Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (For best results, use an electric mixer and start beating at a slow speed, gradually increasing to moderate. If you allow this process to take about 15 minutes, the butter will be very pale and look something like whipped cream. This adds lightness to the cake.) Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each. In another bowl, sift together 3¾ cups of the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Combine reserved bourbon with the zest and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the bourbon mixture. Toss the remaining ¼ cup of flour with the drained raisins and the pecans. Fold into batter. Bake about 1½ hours or until the cake tests done. Cool about 10 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a rack. Brush the remaining ½ cup of bourbon over the cake while it is still somewhat warm. For long storage, wrap the cake in rinsed cheesecloth that has been thoroughly moistened in bourbon. Then wrap in plastic or foil so that it is airtight. The cake may be served after a day or two but is better if allowed to age.

Your KENTUCKY BOURBON CAKE is ready. Bon appetit!