Basic Pound Cake Recipe

by Katie Sweeney 1

Although it can be enjoyed all year long, I crave pound cake during the warmer months. Thick slices are transformed into a spectacular dessert when caramelized on the grill. Thin pieces become moist when smothered with fresh berries and fluffy whipped cream. Chunks can be layered with custard and stone fruit in a trifle or simply topped with ice cream and sauce in a sundae. With classic pound cake, the dessert possibilities are endless! Traditionally a pound cake was made with a pound each of flour, sugar, and butter, but nowadays, the recipe is a little different. Once you've mastered the technique you can experiment not only with the final preparations, but with mix-ins as well. Stir in fresh citrus zest, different flavored extracts or liqueurs, chocolate chips, etc. But first: here's the basic recipe.

From Martha Stewart

Pound Cake

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 6-cup (8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch) loaf pan; set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; add vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined (do not overmix).
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour (tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly). Let cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack, and turn upright to cool completely.

Serves 8.

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