Description
Sweet Southern charm shines through Paula Deen’s pound cake, a buttery masterpiece that melts in your mouth. Generations of family memories come alive with each delectable slice, inviting you to savor pure comfort on a plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Leavening and Coating Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and meticulously grease a 10-inch tube pan, ensuring comprehensive coverage to prevent sticking.
- Cream room-temperature butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, thoroughly blending each addition before adding the next, which will create a smooth and uniform base.
- Separately sift together flour, salt, and baking powder to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Alternately fold the dry ingredient mixture and milk into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients, mixing gently to maintain a silky texture.
- Fold in sour cream and vanilla extract, stirring until the batter achieves a consistent, velvety consistency without overmixing.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared tube pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center emerges clean and the cake develops a golden-brown exterior.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack.
- Once completely cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar, creating an elegant, delicate finish.
Notes
- Softening butter is crucial; leave it at room temperature for about an hour to ensure smooth, even creaming with sugar.
- For a lighter texture, separate egg whites and beat them separately before folding back into the batter, creating an airier pound cake.
- Avoid overmixing the batter after adding flour to prevent a tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding lemon zest, almond extract, or folding in fresh berries for a personalized twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-75 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg