Pound cake is a classic, buttery dessert that’s rich and satisfying with a slightly dense, yet tender crumb. It’s called “pound cake” because the original recipe used a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for a traditional pound cake:
Classic Pound Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions:
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Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
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Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
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Add eggs:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Mix dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Combine dry and wet ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Add vanilla:
- Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
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Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-75 minutes (depending on your pan size), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
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Cool and serve:
- Let the pound cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional:
- Glaze: You can drizzle the cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or a lemon glaze for an extra pop of flavor.
- Add-ins: Feel free to add in fruit zest (like lemon or orange) or a handful of chocolate chips for variation.
This classic pound cake is simple, buttery, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy it on its own or with your favorite fruit or whipped cream!