The Ultimate Pound Cake Recipe: Buttery Bliss in Every Slice

Baking a perfect pound cake brings pure joy and delightful comfort to your kitchen.

Generations of home cooks have treasured this classic dessert for its rich, buttery flavor.

Dense yet tender crumbs define the signature texture that makes pound cake so irresistible.

Simple ingredients combine to create a wonderfully nostalgic treat that feels like a warm hug.

Butter, sugar, and flour dance together in a harmonious blend that promises pure satisfaction.

Whipping up this recipe takes minimal effort but delivers maximum deliciousness.

Slice into this golden wonder and watch as everyone around you falls in love with each delectable bite.

Pound Cake That Stands the Test of Time

• Celebrate Effortless Baking: Create a mouthwatering dessert with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
• Enjoy Versatile Serving Options: Slice this pound cake for breakfast, afternoon tea, or elegant dessert, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Treat: Wow family and friends with a rich, tender cake that delivers classic homemade goodness every single time.
• Master Simple Ingredients Magic: Transform basic pantry staples into a luxurious dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery.

Pound Cake Ingredient Essentials

• Butter: Soft and creamy base for the pound cake.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich and tangy flavor to the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure to the cake.
• Flour: Gives the cake its fundamental structure.

• Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract: Enhance the cake's richness and flavor.

• Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and balance the sweetness.

Perfect Pound Cake Baking Method

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 325°F. Coat a bundt pan or two loaf pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking. This helps create a smooth cake release.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Cream Cheese

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend softened butter with cream cheese. Whip these ingredients until they become airy and light, creating a fluffy base for your cake.

Step 3: Incorporate Sugar

Slowly add sugar into the butter mixture, one cup at a time. Beat thoroughly after each addition to ensure smooth integration and develop a creamy texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Introduce eggs one by one, mixing completely after each egg. Stir in vanilla extract to enhance the cake’s rich flavor profile.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using low-speed mixing to maintain a tender cake texture.

Step 6: Smooth Out the Batter

Pour in heavy cream and blend until the batter becomes silky. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the cake tough.

Step 7: Pan and Smooth

Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully turn it out onto a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing and enjoying.

Must-Know Tips for Perfect Pound Cake

• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more evenly mixed batter that creates a tender, soft pound cake.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix dry ingredients gradually and on low speed to prevent tough, dense texture and maintain the cake's delicate, light crumb.
• Prevent Overbeating: Stop mixing as soon as flour is incorporated to avoid developing excess gluten, which can make the cake rubbery and dense.
• Pan Prep Perfection: Thoroughly grease and flour the pan to ensure easy cake release and a beautifully shaped exterior without sticking.
• Baking Time Watch: Check cake doneness at the 1-hour mark using a toothpick test, as oven temperatures can vary and prevent potential overbaking.

Perfect Pound Cake: Save It Without Losing Moisture

• Store tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep cake at a consistent cool temperature to maintain moisture.
• Wrap completely cooled cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Remove cake from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Unwrap slowly to prevent condensation from making cake soggy.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, warm in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavor. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.

Pound Cake Companion Suggestions

• Savor Complementary Flavors: Pair this rich, buttery pound cake with a crisp, slightly tart lemon sorbet to cut through the dessert's dense sweetness.
• Elevate with Beverage Match: Serve alongside a chilled glass of Sauternes wine, whose honeyed notes and subtle acidity beautifully complement the cake's luxurious texture.
• Boost Dessert Experience: Top each slice with fresh macerated berries and a dollop of whipped lavender cream, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that enhances the pound cake's classic taste.
• Create Textural Contrast: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers over the cake, adding a delightful crunch that provides an exciting counterpoint to the cake's smooth, velvety crumb.

Perfect Pound Cake: Classic Flavor Alternatives

• Gluten-Free Pound Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurements and adding xanthan gum for better texture.
• Lemon Zest Variation: Incorporate fresh lemon zest into the batter and replace vanilla extract with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap butter and cream cheese with plant-based margarine and coconut cream cheese, using neutral-flavored vegetable oil to maintain moisture.
• Almond Pound Cake: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with almond flour and add sliced almonds on top for a nutty, rich variation that enhances the cake's texture.

FAQs

• Why does this pound cake use cream cheese?

Cream cheese adds moisture, richness, and a subtle tanginess that makes the cake extra tender and gives it a softer, more delicate crumb compared to traditional pound cake recipes.

• Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

While cake flour produces the most delicate texture, you can substitute all-purpose flour. Just remove 2 tablespoons of flour per cup and replace with cornstarch to help achieve a similar light texture.

• How do I know when the pound cake is perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, and the top is golden brown, the cake is done. The cake should also spring back when lightly touched.

• Why is it important to add ingredients gradually and beat after each addition?

Gradually adding ingredients helps incorporate air, creates a smoother batter, and ensures even mixing. This technique prevents lumps and helps create a more uniform, tender cake texture with better rise and consistency.

Perfect Pound Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Lemon Pound Cake brings sunshine to your kitchen with classic Southern charm. Buttery, zesty slices promise pure comfort that will transport you to a charming countryside porch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup softened butter (227 grams)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature and prepare a bundt or loaf vessel with a light coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Cream the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture achieves a pillowy, aerated consistency.
3. Incorporate sugar gradually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition to create a smooth, uniform texture.
4. Introduce eggs individually, mixing thoroughly between each incorporation. Fold in the fragrant vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
5. Sift together the dry ingredients – flour, leavening agent, and seasoning – creating a delicate powdery mixture.
6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the creamy base, using a low-speed mixing technique to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
7. Pour in the luxurious heavy cream, stirring until the batter reaches a silky, uniform consistency. Exercise caution to avoid overmixing.
8. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared baking vessel, carefully smoothing the surface to ensure an even rise.
9. Position in the preheated oven and bake until a slender testing implement emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
10. Allow the cake to rest briefly in its pan, then delicately transfer to a cooling rack, permitting it to reach room temperature naturally.

Notes

• Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother blending and help create a lighter, fluffier cake texture.
• Softened butter and cream cheese should be at a consistent temperature to prevent lumps and achieve even mixing.
• Gently fold flour mixture to avoid developing gluten, which can make the cake tough and dense.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg