Best Classic Pound Cake Recipe

You’re going to love this classic pound cake recipe. Whipped egg whites is the secret ingredient which keeps the pound cake from being overly dense and dry.

Traditional pound cake recipe is made with only 4 ingredients: a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, a pound of eggs, and a pound of butter. That’s all it takes!

Each ingredient is weighted to be one pound, which is why it’s called a pound cake. There is no vanilla, salt, baking powder or milk in a classic pound cake. When you start adding these ingredients you get a butter cake, which is delicious, but is NOT a pound cake.

What are the Origins of Pound Cake?

Pound cake is said to have originated in Europe in the 1700’s but was not published until 1796 in an American cookbook titled American Cookery (Hartford: Simeon Butler). The recipe for the original pound cake is a bit different than what we consider to be a classic pound cake today. Take a look at the original recipe by Amelia Simmons.

1 pound sugar

1 pound butter

1 pound flour

1 pound or 10 eggs

Rose water 1 gill

Spices to your taste

Special Equipment Needed To Make Pound Cake Recipe

• Cake pan – You’ll use either a Bundt pan or a tube pan for this recipe.
• Stand mixer – I like to use a stand mixer, but you could also use a bowl and a hand mixer. You don’t need to use a mixer at all, but it makes the process a lot easier and quicker, and you won’t have sore arms the next day. 
• Food scale – You’ll need to measure by weight for this recipe and not by volume, so you’ll need to use a food scale instead of measuring cups.

Ingredients Needed To Make Pound Cake Recipe

1 pound cake flour

1 pound unsalted butter

1 pound sugar

1 pound large eggs – separated

1/2 cup milk (optional, but will make a better pound cake!)

How Many Eggs are in a Pound?

The actual number of eggs is going to vary based upon the weight of the eggs. I have found that the typical number of large eggs per pound is 8 or 9.

How to Make Pound Cake Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Start by measuring the ingredients by using a food scale. Set the ingredients aside.
3. Separate egg yolks from egg whites and set both bowls aside.
4. Add butter and sugar to the bowl attached to your stand mixer and beat on medium until fluffy, about two minutes. You should notice the color change, too.
5. Add egg yolks and mix on medium until combined.
6. Next, make sure your mixer is on low and add your flour all at once. Mix until combined.
7. Take the mixture and place into a separate container while you clean the mixing bowl to prepare for whipping the egg whites. If you have an additional mixing bowl, then you get to avoid the extra work – for now (you’ll still end up cleaning two mixing bowls).
8. Pour the egg whites into a mixing bowl using the whip attachment and whip on high speed until you get stiff peaks.
9. Fold in the egg whites into the batter by hand or add the egg whites into the bowl with the batter and mix on the lowest speed until combined.
10. Spray your cake pan with cake release spray.
11. Spoon batter into the cake pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until knife comes out clean.
12. Cool for at least 15 minutes before turning out onto a serving tray.

Top Tips To Make Pound Cake Recipe

• Use a food scale to make sure that you’re getting the correct weight measurements.
• Fold the egg whites using the lowest setting on your stand mixer. It’s a lot easier than doing it by hand, unless you want a forearm workout!

Alternative Variations of Pound Cake Recipe

• Lemon pound cake – add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to batter. Add a glaze by mixing 4 cups powdered sugar with 4-6 tablespoons (depending on how thick or thin you like it) lemon juice.
• Orange pound cake – add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to batter. Add a glaze by mixing 4 cups powdered sugar with 5-6 tablespoons (depending on how thick or thin you like it) lemon juice.
• Rum pound cake – add 2 teaspoons of rum extract to batter. Drizzle with rum soaking glaze.

OTHER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: If you’re a fan of fruity desserts, check out this easy recipe for pineapple upside-down cake. It’s luscious and simple, and it’ll instantly transport you somewhere tropical. 

• Peach Cobbler Pie: If you combine cobbler and pie, you’ll be left with very satisfied eaters. This dessert is one of my favorites, and I bet it’ll become one of yours once you taste it. 
• 7UP Pound Cake: If you love 7UP cake, then you’ll love this recipe. It has lemon syrup spread throughout the cake and drizzled with a delicious lemon glaze.

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