Description
Indulgent Million Dollar Pound Cake brings Southern charm to dessert tables with its rich, buttery crumb and classic appeal. Moist layers promise pure comfort, inviting you to savor each delectable slice of this timeless Southern classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup whole milk (or heavy cream)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 300F (150C). Thoroughly coat a 10-inch tube or bundt pan with baking spray or butter and flour mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, transform butter into a silky, creamy texture for approximately 3 minutes. Gradually incorporate sugar, continuing to whip until the mixture becomes ethereally light and voluminous, which may take around 35 minutes.
- Introduce eggs individually into the butter-sugar blend, ensuring thorough integration after each addition. Periodically scrape down bowl sides to guarantee uniform mixing.
- Transition mixer to low speed. Gently fold in flour, alternating with milk or cream, always commencing and concluding with flour. Mix delicately to prevent overworking the batter. Infuse the mixture with vanilla and optional almond extracts.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan, carefully smoothing the surface for even distribution. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 30-40 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges completely clean.
- Allow cake to rest inside pan for 10-15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before serving.
Notes
- Softening butter is crucial; let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy texture.
- Beat butter and sugar extensively to create maximum air incorporation, which guarantees a lighter, more tender cake crumb.
- Use room temperature eggs to prevent batter from curdling and ensure even mixing throughout the recipe.
- Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent developing tough gluten strands that can make the cake dense.
- Consider replacing almond extract with orange zest for a different flavor profile that complements the cake’s richness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 622
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 64 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 74 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 124 mg