INGREDIENTS
•
1 small fennel bulb
•
3/4 cup sugar
•
3/4 cup water
•
3 (3-inch) strips lemon zest, thinly sliced
•
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
•
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
•
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
•
1 teaspoon baking soda
•
1/2 teaspoon salt
•
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
•
3/4 cup sugar
•
2 large eggs
•
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
•
3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
•
Accompaniment: lightly sweetened whipped cream