Description

Easy Vanilla Pound Cake

Name: Easy Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup whole milk, room temperature; Fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, lemon zest, toasted nuts, or powdered sugar

A classic, buttery pound cake with a crackly golden crust and melt-in-your-mouth crumb—perfect for tea, dessert, or anytime you need a little slice of sunshine.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup whole milk, room temperature

Optional Add-ins & Toppings:

Fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, lemon zest, toasted nuts, or powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Prep Pan & Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan; line bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3–5 minutes until pale, fluffy, and light.

3. Add Eggs & Vanilla

Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing fully after each.
Stir in vanilla extract.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

5. Mix Wet & Dry

Reduce mixer to low. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour.
Mix just until combined—avoid overmixing.

6. Bake

Pour batter into pan, smooth top, and optionally create a shallow center indentation.
Bake 55–65 minutes, checking at 55 minutes. Done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool

Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Run a knife around edges, invert onto a wire rack, and cool completely before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Classic: Slice and enjoy with coffee or tea.
Berry Bliss: Top with macerated strawberries or raspberries.
Indulgent: Serve slightly warmed with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.
Elegant: Add whipped cream and dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Lemon Blueberry: Fold in lemon zest and fresh/frozen blueberries.
Almond Joy: Swap 1 tsp vanilla for almond extract; fold in toasted almonds & shredded coconut.
Chocolate Chip Swirl: Toss chocolate chips with a little flour and fold into batter.
Brown Sugar Bourbon: Replace ½ cup sugar with dark brown sugar + 1 tbsp bourbon.
Gluten-Free: Substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend (with xanthan gum).