The Golden Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe Everyone Loves

Decadent desserts often tell a story of tradition and indulgence, and this million dollar pound cake recipe brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Southern bakers have long cherished this rich, buttery treat that melts on your tongue.

Each slice promises a luxurious experience that feels like a sweet inheritance from generations past.

The dense, moist texture and delicate crumb make this cake a true showstopper at any gathering.

Crafted with simple ingredients and love, this recipe transforms basic pantry staples into an extraordinary dessert.

Butter, sugar, and flour combine to create a cake so delightful, you’ll understand why it’s worth every metaphorical million.

Million Dollar Pound Cake Highlights

• Indulge in Comfort: This pound cake delivers ultimate comfort with its rich, buttery texture that melts in your mouth, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
• Master Easy Baking: Beginners can confidently create this recipe with simple steps and basic ingredients, making it an excellent introduction to homemade desserts.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Versatile for various occasions like family gatherings, potlucks, or afternoon tea, this cake impresses guests with its classic, elegant appeal.
• Customize Your Treat: Easily enhance the cake by serving with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a light glaze, transforming it into a personalized dessert experience.

Pound Cake Ingredient Checklist

• Butter: A rich and creamy base that provides a luxurious texture and deep flavor to the pound cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, golden-brown crust on the cake.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cake its classic dense and moist texture.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Contribute moisture and enhance the cake's soft, velvety crumb.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Add depth and complexity to the cake's overall flavor profile, creating a sophisticated and aromatic dessert.

Easy Pound Cake Baking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a gentle 300°F and prepare your bundt or tube pan by coating it with a light layer of grease and dusting of flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar together, whisking until the mixture becomes airy and cloud-like, with a pale and fluffy texture.

Step 3: Incorporate Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition to create a smooth and well-integrated batter.

Step 4: Build the Cake Base

Gradually fold in flour, alternating with splashes of milk and heavy cream.

Start and finish with flour, gently stirring to maintain the batter’s delicate consistency.

Step 5: Enhance with Flavors

Stir in vanilla and almond extracts, infusing the batter with rich, aromatic notes that will make your cake irresistible.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly and create a smooth surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

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

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is ready.

Pro Tips for Pound Cake Results

• Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even creaming with sugar.
• Use high-quality pure vanilla and almond extracts for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Sift flour before measuring to prevent dense, heavy cake texture and ensure lighter crumb.
• Use a pastry brush to evenly coat pan with butter and flour, reaching every crevice of the bundt pan.
• Allow cake to cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling.

Pound Cake Variations and Swaps

• Gluten-Free Pound Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free flour mix for a celiac-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk and cream for lactose-intolerant bakers.
• Citrus Zest Variation: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, refreshing flavor profile that complements the rich cake.
• Nutty Crunch Option: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added texture and a subtle nutty undertone.

Serving Million Dollar Pound Cake Slices

• Elegant Dessert Plating: Dust the pound cake with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries for a stunning presentation.
• Decadent Accompaniment: Serve warm slices with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the cake's rich flavor.
• Tea Time Treat: Pair slices with a hot cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful afternoon indulgence that complements the cake's buttery texture.
• Seasonal Twist: Drizzle with a light lemon glaze or top with caramelized seasonal fruits like peaches or figs to add a vibrant touch to the classic pound cake.

Storage for Pound Cake Leftovers

• Store cake in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days. Keep in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Wrap individual slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Place cake on a covered cake stand at room temperature for 2-3 days. Ensure the area is cool and away from direct sunlight to prevent spoilage.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For a crisp exterior, briefly toast in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

FAQs

• What makes this pound cake different from other pound cake recipes?

This recipe uses a unique combination of milk and heavy cream, which adds extra richness and moisture to the cake, creating a more luxurious texture compared to traditional pound cake recipes.

• Can I substitute the extracts in the recipe?

While vanilla and almond extracts are classic, you can replace them with other flavors like lemon or rum extract. Just ensure you use the same measurement to maintain the cake’s balance of flavors.

• Why is the baking temperature lower than typical cake recipes?

The lower 300°F temperature allows the cake to bake slowly and evenly, preventing a dry or tough exterior while ensuring a tender, moist interior throughout the cake.

Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Southern bakers treasure Million Dollar Pound Cake as a classic dessert rich with butter and vanilla essence. Silky smooth texture and golden crumb promise a luxurious slice that melts deliciously on your palate, inviting you to savor each indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 large eggs

Liquid Ingredients:

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

Flavoring Ingredient:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat a bundt or tube pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth, voluminous base.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform, silky texture.
4. Gently fold in flour, alternating with milk and heavy cream, maintaining a delicate mixing technique to preserve the cake’s lightness.
5. Infuse the batter with rich vanilla and almond extracts, stirring until evenly distributed for a complex flavor profile.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, carefully spreading it to create an even surface for consistent baking.
7. Bake in a preheated 300°F oven for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, periodically checking with a toothpick to ensure complete doneness – the pick should emerge clean when inserted into the cake’s center.

Notes

• Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing for smoother, more even incorporation of ingredients.
• Sift flour before measuring to ensure accurate amount and lighter cake texture.
• Use high-quality vanilla and almond extracts for richer, more pronounced flavor profile.
• Consider serving with fresh berries or whipped cream to balance the cake’s dense, rich character.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 556
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 88 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 69 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg