Pound cake is a rich and dense type of cake that originated in Northern Europe, particularly in England. It gets its name from the traditional recipe, which used a pound each of four main ingredients: flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. This classic ratio of ingredients is what gives pound cake its distinctive texture and flavor.
Pound Cake
Servings
4
servingsPrep time
30
minutesCooking time
1
hour15
minutesPound cake is known for its rich flavor, dense texture, and its ability to be enjoyed on its own or as a canvas for other dessert creations.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until the batter is smooth and well-blended.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf or bundt pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary, so keep an eye on the cake and adjust accordingly.
- Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can slice and serve the pound cake as is or add your desired toppings, such as fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
