You need to make this. I’ve tried my share of pound cake recipes, and this, by far, is my favorite. In fact, I might even go as far as to say: this is my favorite recipe of all time. Butter, cream, delicate cake flour, and sugar come together beautifully in this dense and moist cake. I made this pound cake on Friday afternoon and my house smelled of browned butter all weekend. I knew I’d found THE RECIPE, when I took my knife to slice it into manageable pieces. As my serrated knife made contact first with the slightly crunchy exterior and then with the buttery, dense middle, I called out to Ryan, “this is going to be HEAVEN.” And it was.
In other, non-butter news. I taught my first week of classes at the community college here…and I’m thrilled to be back at work. My students seem lovely (we still like each other…it’s only been one week) and Lucy was a champ with her papa. I’m navigating essay assignments and stored breastmilk. I’m eating dinner on campus (yet again) while checking my phone to make sure that Lucy’s finished her bottle. It’s far more complicated than what work was before…but I’m happy to be doing it, and I feel blessed to have such a great community to support me (and Lucy) in the process.
Very Best Pound Cake
2 sticks (1 cup butter) room temperature
3 cups sifted cake flour (sift before measuring)
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups granulated sugar
7 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
Cinnamon Sugar (optional)
Do not preheat oven. Line two standard loaf pans with parchment paper.
Stir together sifted flour and salt into a bowl. Beat together butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour, then all of cream, then remaining flour, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down side of bowl and then beat at medium-high speed for an additional 5 minutes. Batter will become creamy and satiny.
Spoon batter into prepared pans and rap against counter once or twice to eliminate air bubbles. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired. Place pans in cold oven and turn oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until golden brown and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out with just a few crumbs adhering, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool cake in pan for 30 minutes before removing. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Your favorite recipe you say?? Oh, I need to try this then! It looks wonderfully buttery and dense. I think I need a slice and a mug of hot tea, yum!
Glad to know things are going well for you with the new job!
I’m such a sucker for a good pound cake, but you know what? I’ve never made my own! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
I hold your opinion on cakes in the highest regards so I will be making this sponge as soon as possible! I am so glad to hear that teaching is going well.
Lovely cake, and with your endorsement, hard not to “pin” it for the future – we are not big sweet eaters, but of course graduate students LOVE anything that is baked for them….
and I love to see the smiles on their faces when I send the email around “there’s cake in the conference room for you”
🙂
This sounds wonderful! It’s always good to have a go-to poundcake. I made a chocolate one the other night to appease my chocolate cravings, but I’ll have to try this one when I’m looking for those buttery, vanilla flavors.
Yay for getting back to teaching. How amazing! I am sure it is strange, but also a good feeling.
This pound cakes looks super delicious! A slice of this with my morning coffee would be amazing! Dunk it right in there! haha
It’s your favorite of all time?? I have to try it as soon as possible. It looks so delicious!! I’m glad you started classes and things are going well.
im so happy that you are liking the job and kudos to Ryan for taking care of baby Lucy. If you call this the best pound cake, putting it on the list to make when I have a crowd because these things are dangerous around me alone 😛
What a beautiful picture to start off the post with – stunning! This cake looks amazing.
I’m happy to hear your first week back at work went fine. Good luck with it!
I love, love pound cake, too! And yours looks picture perfect!! I’m so glad you’re adjusting to your new schedule! I bet Ryan is enjoying his special daddy-daughter time 🙂
Pound cake always tastes so decadent. I can’t wait to give this a try.
A go to pound cake that is perfect is a must have in my book. Yours sounds heavenly Monet and I too will be pinning it to share on National Pound Cake Day which is celebrated on March 4th!
So glad to hear of your new adventure Monet. Exciting and demanding at the same time. It will take a while but I’m sure things will fall into place.
Thank you so much for sharing…
Hey, if there/s a full cup of hevay cream in a cake, there’s no way it’s not going to be good! I very rarely make cakes at all, but I may have to make an exception for this one. 🙂
I’ve been asked to bring a light breakfast to a meeting in February. You can bet this pound cake will be coming along.
I am such a sucker for pound cake. I don’t need icing or chocolate or any of that extra stuff. Just a beautiful, rich, moist cake… This one delivers all three!
Oh I love a good pound cake! This came out beautiful Monet! And it sounds like everything is going really well with being back to teaching classes! So happy to hear it! Happy Monday friend!
You’re such a superhero!
and omgeee this DOES look like heaven! I love the cinnamon sugar on top, too!
Well don’t you have a lovely blog!
So happy to have you stop by mine.
And yes, I agree this is the very best poundcake!!
Cheers!
Your cake looks amazing. So happy your first week went well!
Oh wow this is such a beautiful pound cake… truly perfect.
I haven’t had a good pound cake in AGES! This looks fantastic. Just perfect for an afternoon cuppa. 🙂
I’m always looking for an amazing pound cake recipe and this one seem like it is!
I love the topping too! Lovely crumbs, so fine, awesome! I just love pound cakes too but have to restrain myself from going overboard!
Monet,
This is such a gorgeous pound cake. I’ve been looking for a pound cake recipe that was like my Aunt used to make. I’ll pin this for later. You are Supermom with all you do.
You should be very proud:)
Monet, this looks absolutely amazing! I hardly make pound cake, not sure why…probably because I couldn’t find the really great recipe I once had for it, but this post has inspired me to make it once again. Truly divine! Thank you for sharing, sweet girl! xo
Always willing to try a “best” recipe!
Dear Monet.
I am very happy for you that you are enjoying teaching and all is falling into place for you.
The pound cake is a classic that would go very well with a nice hot cup of tea.
Keep cozy and warm dear. blessings, Catherine xo
Your cake looks delicious and I have to try it since you said it’s your favorite recipe. Good luck with your job and it’s great that Lucy can be with her daddy. The best to you all!
Both this being perhaps your favorite recipe ever and that your classes are going well is great news! I’ve gotta try this pound cake now. And I mean now!
You had me at crunchy edge and dense buttery exterior – that does sound like heaven! Especially with a hot drink 🙂 I’m so glad classes have been going well and that Lucy is adapting quickly!
Good pound cake is a necessary luxury in life. GREG
looks like a perfect pound cake!
Pound cake is one of my all-time favorite treats and yours looks SO good. I’d love a slice right now with my afternoon tea!
Wow, your favorite recipe? This must be terrific! Definitely need to try it. Glad work is going well, and Lucy is managing without you. Sounds like life is good! With this pound cake, I know it is. 😉
Teaching classes can be so intimidating, but fun and exciting and I know this pound cake made everything much better.. I know Lucy is definitely missing her mommy! 🙂
One week and they still like you, hahahah. After another one they will love you! I envy them and I hope that one day I’ll have a chance to hang out with you as well.
See? I knew you would handle going back to teaching like a total champ! As for this pound cake, I’m printing this recipe out. I’ve tried a few recipes that were pretty disappointing so when you say this is the best you’ve ever had, I can’t wait to bake it myself. It looks delicious!
Love, love pound cake…This looks divine.
Velva
I am a chocolate lover for sure. My husband likes apple desserts. Pound cake is our compromise. After your description I know we will have to try this recipe.
Wow, this pound cake looks awesome…so dense and buttery! I haven’t made pound cake in so long and that definitely needs to change soon 🙂