In the realm of baking, the pound cake reigns supreme as an embodiment of simplicity and exquisite taste. Its humble origins can be traced back to the 1700s, where it was crafted using equal proportions of four key ingredients: flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Over time, this classic recipe has undergone countless variations, each adding unique flavors and textures to create a symphony of delectable experiences. Whether you prefer a dense, buttery crumb or a light, airy texture, there's a pound cake recipe out there to satisfy every palate. With just a handful of pantry staples and a little kitchen magic, you can embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds in awe. So, let's delve into the world of pound cakes and uncover the secrets to creating the ultimate masterpiece that will steal the show at any gathering.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BEST POUND CAKE
Here's the test kitchen's favorite recipe for a classic pound cake. If you prefer your pound cake with a slightly less dense texture, follow our instructions below for a lighter variation that incorporates baking powder and sour cream into the batter.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Yield Makes two 9-by-5-inch loaves
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans; dust with flour, tapping out excess. In a bowl, whisk together flour and salt. (If making the lighter version, add baking powder at same time as salt.)
- With an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to medium; beat in vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each and scraping down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture in 2 batches (alternating with sour cream if making the lighter version), beating until just incorporated.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans on counter; smooth tops with an offset spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center of each cake comes out clean, about 70-75 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 30 minutes. Turn out cakes onto rack to cool completely.
THE BEST POUND CAKE (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)
From the Cook's Illustrated Website: Be careful not to overbeat the butter-sugar mixture, especially on a hot day -- you could rupture the air cells and cause the batter to be heavy. It's important to beat in the eggs very slowly. If you don't think you can pace yourself, set a timer or watch the clock. When you are folding in the flour, fold up from the very bottom of the bowl, otherwise some of the batter will have little flour in it, and this will either rise to the surface, never cooking through, or settle in hard, dense streaks near the bottom of the cake. You may double the recipe and bake the cake in a large nonstick bundt pan (14 cup capacity); the baking time remains the same. The recipe also makes four miniature pound cakes; use four two-cup pans and reduce baking time to 40 minutes. Though best when freshly baked, the cake will keep reasonably well for 4 to 5 days.
Provided by senseicheryl
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 1 9 inch loaf pan, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-by-3 1/2-inch loaf pan (7 1/2-inch capacity) with vegetable shortening or spray. Line the bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper.
- Beat butter in bowl of electric mixer set at medium-high speed until smooth and shiny, about 15 seconds. With machine still on, take about 30 seconds to sprinkle in sugar. Beat mixture until light, fluffy and almost white, 4 to 5 minutes, stopping mixer once or twice to scrape down sides of bowl.
- Mix eggs, yolks, vanilla and water in a 2 cup glass measure with a pour spout, set in a pan of tepid water until mixture is about 70 degrees. With mixer set at medium-high speed, take 3 to 5 minutes to add egg mixture to butter/sugar mixture in a very slow, thin stream. Finally, beat in salt.
- Remove bowl from mixer stand. Turn 1/2 cup flour into sieve or shaker; sprinkle it over batter. Fold gently with rubber spatula, scraping up from bottom of the bowl, until flour is incorporated. Repeat twice more, adding flour in 1/2-cup increments.
- Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with a spatula or wooden spoon. Bake until cake needle or tester inserted into crack running along top comes out clean, 70 to 80 minutes. Let cake rest in pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Place second wire rack on cake bottom, then turn cake top side up. Cool to room temperature, remove and discard parchment, wrap cake in plastic, then in foil. Store cake at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 475.8, Fat 26.8, SaturatedFat 15.8, Cholesterol 219, Sodium 178.4, Carbohydrate 53.9, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 33.7, Protein 5.7
GREAT-GRANDMA ELECTRA'S POUND CAKE
My great-grandma's pound cake is the ultimate comfort food. This is one you don't want to count the calories on! Super delicious and unforgettable! Apply a thin layer of butter on top while hot. Best right of the oven!
Provided by iammykidzmom
Categories Desserts Cakes Pound Cake Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Spray a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®) with cooking spray. Place oven rack on the lowest level.
- Beat sugar, butter, and cream cheese together until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until smooth.
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl and stir into the batter. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 656.5 calories, Carbohydrate 89.6 g, Cholesterol 185 mg, Fat 29.6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 9.5 g, SaturatedFat 17.6 g, Sodium 201.3 mg, Sugar 60.5 g
BEST EVER BUTTER POUND CAKE
Yummy yummy butter pound cake. Just a little effort, but very well worth it. Just like Grandma use to make.
Provided by lsustacy
Categories Dessert
Time 1h25m
Yield 20-24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Add sifted flour a cup at a time.
- Add milk and flavoring.
- Pour into a greased bundt cake pan.
- Bake about 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.1, Fat 26.9, SaturatedFat 16.2, Cholesterol 159.8, Sodium 205.2, Carbohydrate 51.7, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 30.2, Protein 6
Tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients: This will help the cake batter to mix together smoothly and evenly.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy: This will incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition: This will help to prevent the batter from curdling.
- Sift the flour before adding it to the batter: This will help to ensure that the cake is light and airy.
- Do not overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cake tough and dense.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This will help to prevent the cake from sinking in the middle.
- Cool the cake completely before frosting it: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
Conclusion:
Pound cake is a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile cake that can be served plain, with frosting, or with fruit. With the right ingredients and a little bit of care, you can easily make a delicious pound cake at home.
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