Traditional Butter Pound Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour 10 min
🍽 Serves: 10
★★★★★
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This Traditional Butter Pound Cake is a timeless classic, perfect for any occasion. Its rich, buttery flavor and tender crumb make it an all-time favorite. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe delivers a cake that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Ingredients for Traditional Butter Pound Cake

Butter is the star of this cake, providing richness and flavor. Be sure it's unsalted and softened for easy creaming. Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and helps achieve that light, fluffy texture when creamed with butter. The eggs bind the ingredients and add moisture. Vanilla extract enhances the flavor, giving the cake a hint of warmth. All-purpose flour gives the cake structure, while salt balances the sweetness. A touch of baking powder helps the cake rise just enough. Lastly, milk adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ensure your butter is truly softened; it should easily yield to pressure but not be melted.
  • Room temperature eggs blend more easily with the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.
  • If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, tent it with foil halfway through baking.
  • Use the toothpick test to check for doneness, but avoid opening the oven too often to prevent the cake from sinking.

Serving Suggestions

This pound cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for a light, summery dessert. For a richer option, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. It's also delightful toasted with a bit of butter or jam for breakfast or a snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter?
It's best to use unsalted butter to control the salt content, but if you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe.
What if I don't have a loaf pan?
You can use a different shape, like a bundt or round cake pan, but adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on the cake.

Traditional Butter Pound Cake Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or a non-stick spray, ensuring the cake will release easily after baking. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy; this step is crucial for a perfect texture.

Next, add the eggs one at a time. After each egg, beat well to fully incorporate it into the mixture before adding the next. This helps the batter stay smooth and even. Stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a lovely depth of flavor to the cake.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing each addition just until combined. This method helps maintain the cake's lightness.

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-70 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy-to-follow and perfect for beginners.
  • Rich, buttery flavor that's unforgettable.
  • Simple ingredients you likely already have.
  • Perfectly moist with a tender, dense crumb.
  • Versatile enough for customization.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup milk

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

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