Classic Pound Cake
This classic pound cake recipe is buttery, tender, and perfectly dense with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb and just the right amount of sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter , at room temperature
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs , at room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- ½ cup (165 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or butter and flour the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium-high 3 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Turn the mixer to medium-low and add 1 egg at a time until combined. Mix in vanilla and vanilla bean paste.
- Turn the mixer to low. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Mix in 1/2 of the milk. Repeat, alternating the remaining flour and milk until just combined and the batter is smooth, being careful to not overmix.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the loaf pan. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
- Bake 40 minutes. Loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil to prevent browning. Bake 10 to 12 minutes more, or until the cake is domed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- On a wire rack, let cool in pan at least 30 minutes before turning out onto the rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store leftover pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Skip the fridge, it dries it out fast.
To freeze, wrap the loaf tightly and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Freeze it whole if you can since it stays more moist that way. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 365kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 146mg, Potassium: 94mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 671IU, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
