Description
Southern bakers cherish this million dollar pound cake recipe as a classic dessert perfected through generations. Rich butter and quality ingredients create a luxurious cake that delights palates with its tender crumb and elegant simplicity. You will love how it elevates any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base 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 and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) whole milk
Extracts:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Prepare a bundt pan by generously coating with butter and dusting with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth, fluffy texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly blending each one before adding the next to maintain a consistent, creamy base.
- Gradually fold in flour, alternating with milk in small increments, always beginning and concluding with flour to achieve a silky, well-integrated batter.
- Enhance the flavor profile by gently stirring in both vanilla and almond extracts, distributing the aromatic essences evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared bundt pan, carefully smoothing the surface to ensure an even bake and attractive presentation.
- Position the pan in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) and bake for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges completely clean.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then delicately release and transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting it to cool thoroughly before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
- Sift flour before measuring to prevent dense, heavy cake and achieve a lighter crumb.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Enhance flavor by toasting chopped nuts or adding citrus zest to the batter for a subtle, sophisticated twist.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 77 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg