Enjoy tender, moist, comfort-food Southern pound cake with the iconic crusty exterior and soft crumb. The best part? Super easy with just 8 simple ingredients, it’s ideal to impress family and guests. Everything you’ll need is probably already in your pantry.
If you’re addicted to Southern cuisine, you know there’s more to Southern comfort food than just fried and spicy foods. I love this recipe because it uses simple and readily available ingredients. So, wherever you are in the world, you can still make the original recipe without substitutions.
Why It’s Called Pound Cake
The first time I asked this question, the answer surprised me. So logical and simple. The original recipe calls for basic ingredients: a pound each of flour, sugar, and butter, plus a dozen eggs. These simple ingredients cream together for the right consistency.
My recipe is for half a pound cake because my family is smaller than families used to be when they invented this recipe. For an authentic Southern pound cake, double the recipe.
How to Make a Southern Pound Cake
- Cream the butter and sugar on high in a stand mixer until it’s fluffy and starts looking white (5- 7 minutes). (Photos 1-2)
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition. (Photos 3-4)
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture, followed by milk and vanilla extract. Stir well until thoroughly combined without overmixing. Scrape the sides of the bowl down as you mix. (Photos 5-7)
- Pour the batter into a greased cake pan. Tap the pans on the work surface to eliminate any large air bubbles. (Photo 8)
- Bake at 300℉ (150°C) until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean (60-80 minutes).
- Serve: Transfer to a wire rack and let it cool before slicing and serving with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Enjoy!
Flavor Twists and Tips
- Replace half the butter with full-fat cream cheese for a decadent twist.
- I usually serve this as is, but feel free to rip off the glaze from another recipe. Strawberry, lemon, and pineapple glazes or caramel sauce are excellent options.
- Slice the cake, then top each slice with macerated strawberries and whipped cream for an easy strawberry shortcake.
- Fold a cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter before pouring it into your bundt pan. That will satisfy your cake and chocolate craving at the same time.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Pound cake tastes even better the next day. Wait for it to cool to room temperature and keep it at room temperature in a covered cake plate for 2-3 days. Refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it well-wrapped for 3-4 months.
You can also freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in heavy plastic wrap for a quick fix or surprise guests. They thaw quickly, but you could speed up the process by toasting the pound cake slices in the oven for a few minutes.
Perfect Pairings
Southern pound cake is a great finish to a hearty Southern meal. Chicken bog with smothered green beans and delicious homemade dinner rolls delivers a soul-satisfying meal.
When you get to dessert, top your mouthwatering cake with homemade whipped cream and serve it with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.
Other Easy Cake Recipes to Try
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in February 2021 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.