pound cake

Classic Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp almond extract)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
   • Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a bundt pan. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
   • Gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the Eggs:
   • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
4. Add the Milk and Vanilla:
   • Mix in the milk and vanilla extract until combined. The batter may look slightly curdled at this point, but it will come together once the dry ingredients are added.
5. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
7. Pour the Batter:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf or bundt pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
8. Bake the Cake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and the cake should have risen nicely.
   • If using a bundt pan, the baking time may be slightly longer (around 75-85 minutes).
9. Cool and Serve:
   • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
   • Slice and serve plain, or with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Cooking Time:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
• Total Time: 75-85 minutes

Nutritional Information (per slice, about 10-12 slices):

• Calories: ~300 kcal
• Protein: ~4g
• Fat: ~16g
• Carbohydrates: ~35g
• Sugar: ~22g
• Fiber: ~1g

This Classic Pound Cake is rich, buttery, and versatile, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea, or dress it up with your favorite toppings!