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Welcome Baskets / Web Exclusive: Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake From "How To I Do" episode DHTI-105

Thanks to Michelle Hogue's money-saving savvy, she spent only $5 per welcome basket.

Michelle Hogue, the groom's sister, created guest baskets for all the out-of-town guests attending Sean and Janeen's wedding.

Here, Hogue shares her gift basket selections:

• After talking to a local gourmet market manager to negotiate bulk pricing, Hogue chooses candies, crackers, a veggie spread and a large bottle of mineral water for each basket.

• Next, she added area tourism books and keychains.

• Carolyn Hogue, mother of the groom, baked 100 pound cakes to add to the baskets.

• Finally, Michelle Hogue created a booklet of bride and groom photos and sketches, maps, a wedding weekend schedule and a sketch of Biltmore Estate, where the bride and groom got engaged and held their wedding reception.

Web Exclusive: Carolyn Hogue's Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of butter
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 cup of sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy in a large electric mixer bowl.

3. Add eggs one at a time. Beat for 1 minute between each addition.

4. Add sour cream and blend well.

5. Add vanilla and lemon extracts, then add dry ingredients and mix well.

6. Divide the batter by pouring into 6-9 small, greased and floured loaf pans and bake for approximately 48 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

7. Cool the pans on wire racks. When completely cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

To check out more ideas and menus for your special day, go to Wonderful Weddings on FoodNetwork.com!

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RESOURCES :

TheKnot.com
To create your own wedding checklist and budget, go to TheKnot.com.