How to make Vanilla Pound Cake: Moist and Easy Recipes

Vanilla Pound Cake is a classic recipe that’s sweet, dense, and incredibly EASY to make with simple ingredients and bakes in only 60 minutes! Cakes can be intimidating to bake but pound cakes and loaf cakes are much easier and quicker and this pound cake is a close second favourite to our all time favourite Easy Banana Bread.

Vanilla Pound Cake is a classic recipe dating all the way back to the 18th century, made with butter, sugar, all purpose flour, and eggs. This recipe is an updated version, including wholesome milk and a splash of vanilla extract, plus some baking powder and salt to improve the texture of the cake.

HOW DID POUND CAKE GET ITS NAME?

Pound Cake has been around for hundreds of years, and is originally named for its ingredients, as the cake called for a pound each of eggs, granulated sugar, butter, and all purpose flour. Now recipes don’t always call for a pound of each and vary regionally, but you’ll still find the name being used for a dense sweet cake.

HOW TO MAKE VANILLA POUND CAKE MOIST

If your pound cake is turning out too dry, try replacing the milk with buttermilk. The acid in the buttermilk works with the gluten to produce a softer texture in the cake. You can also add sour cream or cream cheese to soften up the pound cake, depending on which recipe you’re using. It’s not technically a classic pound cake with these ingredients, but it’s more like the modern version.

WHAT CAN YOU ADD TO POUND CAKE?

• Chocolate chips
• Pecans with a maple glaze
• Walnuts
• Orange zest
• Cinnamon
• Cream cheese

HOW LONG IS POUND CAKE GOOD FOR?

Pound cake will keep at room temperature tightly sealed for 3-4 days. I don’t usually recommend putting cake in the refrigerator, but pound cake won’t go stale as quickly due to the density of the cake.

CAN YOU FREEZE POUND CAKE?

Pound cake is perfect for making ahead and freezing and will keep in the freezer for about 3 months. To do it, make few loaves of this pound cake recipe at once, then cut into slices and freeze individual portion sizes. Just make sure to wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminium foil to keep any air out.

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS POUND CAKE RECIPE

• Once completely cooled, top this pound cake with powdered sugar or glaze.
• Bring your ingredients to room temperature. When mixing the butter and sugar together, wait until they look light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, to make sure enough air has been incorporated. This is a critical part of this pound cake recipe, so be patient here.
• Be careful not to over-mix your dough at the end, or the cake may turn out too dense.
• Don’t remove the pound cake from the loaf pan immediately. You want to let the cake cool about halfway, at least 10 minutes, before flipping it out of the pan and letting it come to room temperature.
• You can also make this pound cake recipe in a bundt pan if you want something more decorative. Butter and flour the bundt pan before pouring the cake batter in.
• Top the finished cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, or 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey, or a dusting of confectioners sugar.
• Use butter and flour to grease your pan, not cooking spray, which may prevent the cake from fully rising.
• Use a toothpick to check the doneness of your cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it starts browning around the edges, it is over-baked and your cake will lose a lot of moistness.

Vanilla Pound Cake Process