Tara's Toasted Pound Cake with Almond Cream Sauce

I had to go to the Evil Think Tank today. Why?! Why do I give into the wicked beguiling of my friend Tara . We met at culinary school 14 years ago. For those just joining us in the Evil Think Tank, just know that Chef Tess and Chef Tara are both evil dessert girls. I admit it. This may, in all real logic, explain why I like her so much. Okay...I like her for more than the desserts...but a rousing cake fest never hurt my opinion of her. Though her total lack of respect for raisins still has me baffled. So forward to the tank...get your battle gear on people.
This whole adventure was in fact sponsored by Tara. She teaches classes and this was the dessert last night...which rolled over to tonight when we could get together for girl time. Thank you Tara for rocking my dessert world.

I apologize in advance to my diabetic sister. This post isn't low carb.

Tara made the pound cake. It's her mom's recipe and I bow to her. It was dense and thick and completely perfect. Yes, I did blow all my Weight Watchers points for the week on this dessert. I think I'm going jogging in the morning.

Tara's Mom’s Pound Cake
1 c butter at room temperature
2 c sugar
3 eggs at room temperature
1 c buttermilk
1 t vanilla or almond extract
3 c flour
½ t salt
1 t baking powder
½ t baking soda

Get out extra butter to coat the pan sugar to coat the pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 10 inch bundt or 10 inch tube pan and then coat with sugar. Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar together. Add in eggs one at a time and blend. Add buttermilk and blend. The batter may look curdled at this point but will smooth out. Gradually add in the flour mixture – about in thirds. Batter will be somewhat thick. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes and invert onto a cooling rack.

Once it was baked and sliced, it got toasted. Don't mock it dude. Oh my goodness. That slang word just slipped out. "Dude". Sorry. Where was I? Oh yea, don't mock the grilling. It was magic. The way it caramelized the sugars of the cake along with the creamy sauce gave it this sugary crust that made me want to cry. Utter joy. Especially after weeks of dieting. Honestly.
Look at the almond cream sauce:

I don't know why I didn't get that recipe. I wanted to put my head in there and suck it up like Tara's dog. I know most are in awe at my self restraint right now.

Uhhh...somebody stop me.

The simple addition of fresh strawberries almost killed me.

There you go. Another successful visit to the think tank. It was evil, but please do come again!