Buttermilk Cake with Sour Milk Jam and Gin-Poached cherries

Preparation

1. For buttermilk cake:

   Step 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour pan. Whisk baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour in a medium bowl; set aside.

   Step 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour pan. Whisk baking soda, salt, and 2 cups flour in a medium bowl; set aside.

   Step 3

   Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and 1 1/4 cups butter in another medium bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions and scraping down sides of bowl.

   Step 4

   Reduce mixer speed to low and, with motor running, add dry ingredients in 3 additions alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Scrape batter into prepared pan.

   Step 5

   Bake until cake is golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool before turning out.

   Step 6

   DO AHEAD: Cake can be made 2 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

2. For sour milk jam:

   Step 7

   Bring milk and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar; reduce heat and simmer gently, whisking occasionally, until mixture measures a scant 1/4 cup, 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl; let cool (it will thicken as it sits). Whisk in crème fraîche, cover, and chill.

   Step 8

   DO AHEAD: Jam can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

3. For gin-poached cherries and assembly:

   Step 9

   Bring cherries, gin, sugar, juniper berries, and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer until liquid is syrupy, 6-8 minutes. Let cool.

   Step 10

   Spoon a few dollops of jam onto plates. Tear cake into pieces and arrange around jam. Top with cherries and fennel fronds.

   Step 11

   DO AHEAD: Cherries can be poached 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.