Chai Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

Before the Batter:

1. Make the masala chai.  If you’re experienced with pulling the masala chai, I highly recommend doing so in order to aerate the chai.  If not, a milk frother will help aerate the chai.  Allow to cool to room temperature (~70°F) before using in the batter.

To Make the Cake:

1. Heat oven to a true 325°F.  An oven thermometer is extremely helpful to ensure that you reach the appropriate baking temperature.
2. Sift the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda into a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Add room temperature butter and neutral cooking oil to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.  Mix butter and oil until smooth.  Add sugar to the butter/oil mixture and mix on low/medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until each egg is completely incorporated.  Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
5. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest and mix on low/medium speed until thoroughly incorporated.
6. Add half of the flour mixture to the batter and mix on low speed until almost incorporated.
7. Add all of the masala chai to the batter and mix on low speed until almost incorporated.  It is important that the masala chai is cooled to room temperature for this step.
8. Add the other half of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until almost incorporated.
9. Place the blueberries and two remaining tablespoons of all-purpose flour into a medium mixing bowl.  Toss the blueberries in the flour to coat.  
10. Gently fold the blueberries (but not the additional flour—see note) into the batter, mixing only until the blueberries are completely covered.
11. Place the batter into a prepared, greased baking pan (you can see my technique here) and place into the oven at 325°F for 65-80 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 212°F-215°F.  Alternately, the cake is done when a toothpick comes out completely clean (though if you pierce a blueberry, you might have a blue toothpick!).
12. While the cake bakes, make the simple syrup.  To make the simple syrup, add the sugar, add the granulated sugar, water, and fine salt to a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil and stir.  Boil only until all of the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from the heat.
13. Remove the cake from the oven and place the cake pan on a cooling rack for ten minutes.  Then, invert the cake pan onto the cooling rack, remove the cake pan and and brush with the simple syrup.  Allow the cake to cool completely before pouring the final glaze.
14. While the cake cools, make the final glaze.  Add the confectioner’s sugar, cardamom, fine salt, fresh lemon juice, and water to a medium mixing bowl.  Stir gently with a 9” whisk until the glaze is the consistency of thick honey.  Once the cake is completely cooled (3-5 hours should be safe), pour the glaze over the cake, using either a spouted measuring cup or a squeeze bottle.
15. Enjoy!