The Golden Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe You’ll Adore

Sweet memories often revolve around a million dollar pound cake that lingers in conversation long after the last crumbly bite.

Grandmothers across southern kitchens have perfected this dense, buttery marvel through generations of careful baking.

Rich ingredients create a luxurious texture that melts softly on your tongue.

Creamy butter and smooth cream cheese form the magical foundation of this classic dessert.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through traditional southern baking techniques.

Dense yet tender, this cake transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

You’ll want to savor every remarkable moment of preparing and enjoying this timeless recipe.

Decadent Pound Cake with a Million Dollar Twist

• Craft Luxurious Dessert: This pound cake delivers restaurant-quality taste with simple ingredients that create an incredibly rich, moist texture guaranteed to impress family and friends.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Baking: Straightforward mixing technique makes this recipe perfect for novice bakers wanting to build confidence in the kitchen without complicated steps or specialized equipment.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Elegant enough for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or potlucks while remaining a comforting classic that works for casual gatherings or afternoon tea.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Universally appealing cake that satisfies sweet cravings with its buttery flavor and tender crumb, making it a reliable go-to recipe for any dessert lover.

Key Ingredients That Make This Pound Cake Shine

• Butter: A rich and creamy base that provides moisture and flavor to the pound cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, light texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that gives the cake its classic dense and tender crumb.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, soft cake texture.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the cake's richness and contributes to its luxurious mouthfeel.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provide depth and complexity to the cake's overall flavor profile.

• Cooking Spray or Butter, Flour: Used to grease and flour the pan, ensuring the cake releases easily after baking.

How to Bake a Moist and Flavorful Pound Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan

Heat the oven to 300°F. Thoroughly grease the inside of a bundt or tube pan with butter, then dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes incredibly light, fluffy, and pale in color. The goal is to create a smooth, airy base for the cake.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture. Blend each egg completely before adding the next, creating a smooth and well-integrated batter.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually mix in flour and milk, alternating between the two. Start and end with flour, carefully folding until ingredients are just combined.

Be careful not to overmix, which can make the cake tough.

Step 5: Add Flavor Enhancers

Gently stir in vanilla and almond extracts, distributing the flavors evenly throughout the batter.

Step 6: Fill and Smooth Pan

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and smooth the top for a perfect finish.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with no wet batter.

Step 8: Cool and Release

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes to allow it to set.

Carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before serving or storing.

Expert Hints for Perfect Texture and Taste

• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more even mixing and better cake texture.
• Sift flour before measuring to ensure accurate amount and prevent lumpy batter.
• Avoid overmixing after adding flour to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough, dense result.
• Serve with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a light glaze for extra flavor and moisture.
• Store cake wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain its soft, rich consistency.

Fun Flavors to Try Instead of the Classic

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same measurement and adding xanthan gum for better texture.
• Citrus Burst Cake: Swap almond extract with orange or lemon zest, adding bright, refreshing notes to the classic pound cake.
• Chocolate Marble Cake: Swirl in melted dark chocolate into half the batter before pouring into the pan, creating a rich marbled effect.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use a combination of granulated sweetener and monk fruit extract to lower overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.

Pairing Ideas to Elevate Your Pound Cake Experience

• Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust the pound cake with powdered sugar and serve alongside fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for a sophisticated presentation.
• Brunch Companion: Slice cake thinly and pair with morning coffee or tea, creating a delightful breakfast or mid-morning treat that's both rich and comforting.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap individual slices in decorative parchment paper and tie with a ribbon, making a charming homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and personal touch.
• Rustic Dessert Style: Serve warm cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce, transforming the classic pound cake into a decadent dessert experience.

Storage Advice to Keep It Fresh Longer

• Store leftover pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate the cake for up to a week, placing it in a sealed container to preserve its texture and flavor.
• Reheat refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until warmed through, ensuring the cake doesn't become tough or dry.

FAQs

• Why is it called Million Dollar Pound Cake?

The name suggests its incredibly rich, luxurious taste and high-quality ingredients that make it feel like a million-dollar dessert.

• Can I substitute the extracts?

You can replace vanilla and almond extracts with other flavors like lemon or orange extract, but the classic recipe uses vanilla and almond for its signature taste.

• What makes this pound cake different from other recipes?

This version uses both milk and cream, which creates an exceptionally moist and tender crumb that sets it apart from traditional pound cakes.

• Is this recipe good for beginners?

Yes, it’s a straightforward recipe with simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it perfect for home bakers with some basic baking experience.

Classic Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich, buttery Million Dollar Pound Cake celebrates Southern baking traditions with its dense, velvety crumb. Home bakers discover pure comfort in this classic dessert that promises delightful indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 sticks (1 pound / 454 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (600 grams) granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour

Liquid Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) whole milk
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 300F (150C) and meticulously coat a bundt or tube pan with grease and flour, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture transforms into a light, airy, and voluminous consistency.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly blending after each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
4. Gently fold in flour, alternating with milk and cream, maintaining a careful mixing technique. Always begin and conclude with flour, stirring until ingredients are just combined to prevent overmixing.
5. Infuse the batter with rich vanilla and almond extracts, gently stirring to distribute the flavors evenly.
6. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even, level surface.
7. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
8. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, enabling it to set and cool slightly. Carefully transfer to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling before serving.

Notes

• Soft butter works best when creamed with sugar, ensuring a lighter and fluffier cake texture.
• Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter integration and more consistent mixing.
• Low and slow baking prevents burning while developing deep, rich flavor throughout the pound cake.
• Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 729
• Sugar: 66 g
• Sodium: 62 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 91 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 146 mg