Charleston Poppy Seed Cake

Vegetable oil spray for misting the pan

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 10-inch tube pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pan aside. Place the cake mix, pudding mix, poppy seeds, yogurt, oil, sherry, eggs and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look well combined and thickened, and the poppy seeds should be well distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven.

Bake the cake until it is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes.

Run a long, sharp knife around the edge of the cake and invert it onto a rack, then invert it onto another rack so that the cake is right side up. Allow the cake to cool completely, 30 minutes more. Place the cake onto a serving platter and serve.

Note: Store this cake, covered in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 1 week. Or freeze it, wrapped in foil, for up to 6 months. Thaw the cake overnight on the counter before serving. Serves: 16.

Per serving: 274 calories; 12 g fat (2 g saturated fat; 39 percent calories from fat); 36 g carbohydrates; 54 mg cholesterol; 336 mg sodium; 3 g protein; 0.3 g fiber.