Here’s a classic recipe for a fluffy and delicious pound cake. This cake is rich, buttery, and moist, with a tender crumb. It’s perfect for any occasion!
Classic Pound Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks / 340g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (500g) granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Optional: Zest of 1 lemon or orange for added flavor
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
- Add Eggs:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and optional citrus zest.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes (for a bundt pan) or 50-60 minutes (for loaf pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Slice and serve plain, or dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with glaze, or top with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Tips for Success:
- Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to avoid a dense cake.
- For extra moisture, brush the cooled cake with a simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved).
Enjoy your fluffy and delicious pound cake!
