Pound Cake Recipe: A Delicious Classic for All Occasions

 

A Delicious Classic for All Occasions

If you're looking for a classic dessert that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, look no further than pound cake. This delicious cake has been a favorite for generations, and with good reason – it's buttery, rich, and can be served in a variety of ways. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just to enjoy at home, this pound cake recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips and Tricks
• Variations
• Serving Suggestions
• Storing and Freezing
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let's go over the ingredients you'll need to make this pound cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Equipment

To make this pound cake, you'll need a few basic pieces of equipment:

• Stand mixer or handheld mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 9x5 inch loaf pan
• Parchment paper or cooking spray

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, use a mixer to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Mix in the vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve as desired.

Tips and Tricks

• Be sure to use room temperature ingredients for the best results. Cold ingredients can cause the cake to be dense or dry.
• Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
• Use a serrated knife to slice the cake for clean, even slices.

Variations

While this classic pound cake recipe is delicious on its own, there are plenty of variations you can try:

• Lemon Pound Cake: Add the zest of 1 lemon to the batter and replace the vanilla extract with lemon extract.
• Chocolate Chip Pound Cake: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips before pouring the batter into the pan.
• Almond Pound Cake: Add 1 tsp of almond extract to the batter and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Pound cake is delicious on its own, but there are plenty of ways to dress it up:

• Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream for a simple yet elegant dessert.
• Toast a slice and spread with butter or jam for breakfast or a snack.
• Top with ice cream and chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert.