This is no sissy, prissy, namby-pamby, modernized cut-the-sugar-and-butter pound cake. This is more power pound cake. This is full tilt, all-out, unabashed pound cake. This is your great-grandmother’s pound cake.
This is pound cake the way pound cake was meant to be. With a pound of everything.
And our great-grandmas knew what they were doing. It’s my favorite, simple, all-around, delicious cake and, well, who really needs a recipe? It’s a pound of everything with a little vanilla and nutmeg thrown in. (Our great-grandmas were SO SMART.) But here it is. (Keep the old-time spirit and use homemade vanilla and fresh-grated nutmeg.
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How to make Old-Fashioned Pound Cake:
1 pound butter (4 sticks), softened
1 pound sugar (3 1/2 cups)
1 pound eggs (10 large)
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 pound all-purpose flour (4 cups)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in flour and nutmeg. Could this be easier? Grease a 10-inch tube or bundt pan and pour the batter in. Bake at 350-degrees for one hour and thirty minutes. (Cover with foil the last thirty minutes.)
Tear off little pieces from the top of the cake and eat it warm because when you turn it over, no one will know. I DIDN’T SAY THAT! Yes. Yes, I did. And I’m not ashamed. I highly recommend it. Do you know how good this is right out of the oven???
Invert and cool. You can just dust with powdered sugar, or glaze it. Pound cake is perfect plain and really doesn’t need anything more, but of course you know I like more. Of everything. You can drizzle it with Fruity Jam Cake Glaze or chocolate. Because as long as we’re talking about pounds of butter and sugar, we might as well throw some chocolate in there, you know?
How to make Chocolate Glaze:
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons hot water
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter (and if there’s one thing this cake needs, it’s more butter); stirring to blend. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium-size bowl. Add sifted powdered sugar and hot water; stir well. If necessary, add additional hot water to bring glaze to drizzling consistency. (Makes enough to glaze a 10-inch tube or bundt cake.)
I’m sure there’s some way to add even more butter to this recipe. When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.
Pound cake with chocolate glaze anyone?
See these recipes at Farm Bell Recipes for the handy print pages and to save them to your recipe box:
Old-Fashioned Pound Cake
Chocolate Glaze
See All My Recipes
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Bee says:
That’s the kind of cake that you take a pinch of every time you walk by it. Before you know it, a whole cake is gone and you’re wondering who ate it!
I have that same yellow bowl!
On March 6, 2009 at 4:54 am
Cathy J. says:
Suzanne, I am so thankful for you. Michigan is a very bleak place, the Jackson area in particular. Starting the day with your blog lifts my spirit immensely. I love your sense of humor and way of looking at things. Making this cake tonight… because I have lots of chickens laying right now!
On March 6, 2009 at 5:31 am
Diane says:
Just when I was thinking I got to cut out sweets you tempt me with this!!! I might have to make this for the family this weekend. Then walk an extra mile or so. lol.
On March 6, 2009 at 6:14 am
Kacey says:
Wow, that sounds good…and it sounds like it would put on the pounds too… 😆
On March 6, 2009 at 6:30 am
Fencepost says:
My Mom gave me her pound cake recipe, from memory. But it never turns out right. Thanks for this, I will compare the two and see what’s missing.
I have that same yellow bowl, too. It was my Mothers.
On March 6, 2009 at 6:32 am
CindyP says:
Yes, please, I’ll have a piece (or 3 😆 ) !
Suzanne, that looks totally scrumptious!! Yes, I do believe our grandmothers knew exactly what they were doing….. ahhh, I think it’s called the simple life……..
On March 6, 2009 at 6:40 am
Christine says:
So what? Are you trying to make all your friends fat so YOU look better? We’re on to your evil plan lady. 😉
On March 6, 2009 at 6:54 am
feathrencox says:
😉 When I was little and my mom would make pound cakes like this, I would tear pieces off the bottom! WOWWWWEEEE, did she get mad! I tried to tell her that same thing, No one will ever know, but this was my mom and you just didn’t do that! Glad someone else is a “rebel” like me! :hungry:
On March 6, 2009 at 6:57 am
DragonLady says:
Dashboard kitty is beautiful and he looks like a Maine Coon cat. I’m sure he has lots of purrsonality too!
On March 6, 2009 at 7:19 am
shirley says:
Say this 10 times:Butter makes a better batter,butter makes a better batter,butter makes a better batter,butter makes the batter better,…..Whew!…You get the message.
Who likes butter better, you or Paula Deen?
Just feeling poetic this morning after seeing that pound cake up close and personal.
Oh Lawsy, what’s a girl to do?
On March 6, 2009 at 7:55 am
Kate says:
That looks amazingly delicious! Silly me, I never realized why it was called pound cake until I read your post, hehe. I guess “Kilogram Cake” just wasn’t as catchy!
On March 6, 2009 at 7:59 am
Linda says:
That looks wonderful Suzanne.
On March 6, 2009 at 8:40 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
Ohhhh. Ahhhh. Mmmmm. Oops, sorry, I got carried away!
And I love Dashboard Kitty, too – what a beauty!
:purpleflower:
On March 6, 2009 at 8:46 am
Gwen says:
whenever i make cake, i cheat and use a package as base.
you just inspired me to make it from scratch….
i will let you know how it turnes out, but judging from your pictures it looks delicious.
hugs
gwen :hungry:
On March 6, 2009 at 8:47 am
dalgal says:
I envy your life! When I’m done with my 12 week gym program, I’m gonna make this! nom…nom…nom…
On March 6, 2009 at 9:14 am
Robin G. says:
You know, I don’t think I ever realized that it’s called a pound cake because it’s got a pound of everything in it…
On March 6, 2009 at 9:26 am
Kaye Manro says:
You’ve got to know I’m putting on the pounds just thinking about eating this pound cake, Suzanne!
On March 6, 2009 at 9:46 am
Treasia/TruckersWife says:
I haven’t had pound cake in years. Now I must make one again. That looks delicious. My favorite way to eat them is with a strawberry topping. Yum……..
On March 6, 2009 at 10:31 am
catslady says:
Okay blog ate my post – hmmmm it didn’t like what I said lol which was I would kill for that cake!!! I DIDN’T SAY THAT! Yes. Yes, I did :devil: I’m doing an exercise routine on another blog site – you guys got to get together – do you want us skinny or fat :devil2:
I have a male cat that is partly Maine Coon who looks very similar to your cat although I think he has a larger mane. Baby – he’s a big ole lug of a cat that gets along with all the other cats – :shocked:
On March 6, 2009 at 11:15 am
Vera says:
:hungry: :hungry: Pound cakes are the best!!!!!
And yours looks scrumptous :hungry:
On March 6, 2009 at 11:16 am
Leah says:
No she didn’t! Went and posted a recipe for my favorite cake! This looks sooooo good!The heavier the cake the better….for me! I like my Pound Cake recipe but I’m sure trying this one out! Thanks for posting it!
On March 6, 2009 at 11:43 am
AndiK says:
Mmmmmmmmmmm…looks delectable! 😀
On March 6, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Shirley says:
This cake looks yummy for the tummy. I can see it with fresh strawberries and ice cream.
On March 6, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Donna says:
Suzanne, that sounds like my pound cake recipe to a T. – minus the Nutmeg. I don’t think mine has nutmeg, but all else sounds just the same, so I can attest that it is WONDERFUL! The glaze sounds delish. I have never glazed mine.
I like to cut thin slices and put it in the toaster oven…sort of toast it, too. There are so many things you can do with poundcake,too, in variations, such as put strawberries and whipped cream on it, for Strawberry Shortcake…or, make a trifle with chunks of pound cake and puddings, ect. – sort of a Dump Cake Trifle – like canned cherry pie filling, pecans, whipped cream. Anything! OR, just eat it plain. YUM
The story behind mine, is …in my late teens or more like early twenties, my boyfriend asked me to make him a poundcake, so I searched my mother’s cookbooks, and found this one, calling for a dozen eggs and a pound of butter….he LOVED it and so I named mine, after HIM. LOL
On March 6, 2009 at 12:53 pm
lady under the oaks says:
tear off pieces????? i just cut a whole slice from the cake cause
i usually have to cut it in half to remove nicely from tube pan….
at least that is my excuse….and the smell! have to have a whole
slice….
On March 6, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Dawn says:
OH. MY. GOODNESS! That Looks so very divine. I’m leaving work right now to make it…..
On March 6, 2009 at 2:07 pm
maryann says:
Now if you make up instant french vanilla pudding while the cake cools, slice the cake into three layers, spread pudding on bottom layer then replace middle layer, repeat then replace top layer then cover the pound in the chocolate glaze you have basically a eclair cake.
I don’t do pound cakes from scratch (my waistline is big enough thank you 😥 ) so I will do this one once in awhile using a Sara Lee store brought cake. There isn’t that much to share around and I usually can satisfied with just the left over pudding.
On March 6, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Brandy says:
OMGosh! My hubs is going to go ga-ga over this. Thanks!
On March 6, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Suzette says:
Pound cake is my absolute favorite! This looks like an all-time great one. It’s what I’ll be making the next time I “need” a cake. Unless I can’t bear not making the burnt sugar cake. (You really started something with that one!)
On March 6, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Susan says:
I’ll stay with the powdered sugar. :snoopy:
On March 6, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Gail says:
I’ve never been able to bake a pound cake that really turned out right, and I’m feeling lazy these days. How about you bake one, sell it to me along with the cost of shipping,include your profit, and I would be forever grateful? See, you could expand your baking sales to consist of mail order… you could do it informal with just requests from your blog readers! I also drool over those gingerbread men cookies you feed Clover. I mess up roll out and cutout cookies big time as well. I’m serious about this! I want pound cake!
On March 6, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Debi says:
I have a recipe almost identical but mine doesn’t call for the nutmeg. It’s wonderful stuff!
The way I found to add even more butter is to make a butter lemon glaze!! just melt half a stick of butter mix in the juice of one lemon and enough powdered sugar to sweeten. I pour this on while the cake is still warm and just let it soak right in. Yummy!!
On March 6, 2009 at 4:03 pm
jenn says:
:sheepjump: Looks scrumptious! Tearing off the delectable top bits is absolutely the cook’s prerogative!
On March 6, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Estella says:
It looks delicious!
On March 6, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Keary says:
I call this butter and egg cake- but it has pecans in it. It is about 2/3 of the ingredients and only cooks for an hour. It is delicious and doesn’t need any frosting. Good all by itself.
On March 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Rennagayle says:
Wow! :bugeyed: Paula Deen and her bunches of butter recipes has nothing on your! 😆
On March 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Rennagayle says:
Oh, and while you’re divulging pound cake secrets, I’ll share mine. Whenever I cook any kind of cake in my bundt pan, I’ve learned you can cut a slice (as long as it’s not too thick), then squish the cut edges together and slather plenty of icing over that spot, and no one will be the wiser. 😉
On March 6, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Heynanni says:
I’m making this right now! You posted this on grocery shopping day, so I was able to get fresh blackberries and pie filling! YUM. Thank you for posting this! :purpleflower:
On March 6, 2009 at 5:50 pm
shirley says:
I love the kitty pic!More kitty pics please.
On March 6, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Mary Kellogg says:
Ok, it’s in the oven. We’ll see how this turns out. :snoopy:
On March 6, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Amy Weishuhn says:
Lovely! I have to say, I’ve never made a pound cake in a Bundt pan. Sounds wonderful!
On March 6, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Amber says:
I love how you always introduce classic recipes and explain how simple they really are to make. It motivates me to try new things in the kitchen.
On March 6, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Nikki L. says:
I am assuming all these wonderful foods are from your classic cook book? :hungry:
On March 6, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Alison says:
my favorite variation of pound cake leaves out the nutmeg and adds more vanilla and miniature chocolate chips. It is so yummy. :hungry:
On March 7, 2009 at 1:47 am
Steph says:
MaryAnn – that sounds so unbelievably delicious I almost drooled. I’m a sucker for eclairs. I’m going to have to remember that.
On March 7, 2009 at 2:06 am
Darleen says:
I hope I didn’t miss this somewhere, but does this recipe need baking powder or b. soda? Hope you can respond rather quickly as I would like to make this cake ASAP! Thanks!
On March 7, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Hi, Darleen! This cake requires no baking soda or baking powder and I use regular all-purpose flour. (It must be magic cake!)
On March 7, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Darleen says:
Thanks for your quick reply, can’t wait to get started!
On March 7, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Mary Kellogg says:
:sheepjump:
Wow the cake turned out great. HUGE cake! And is good and plain. i like to toast a slice and put Nutella on it.
Husband said to say THANK YOU. Loved it!! :dancingmonster:
On March 7, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Joanne says:
I can feel my butt getting bigger just looking at that ….mmmm..it looks wonderful!
On March 7, 2009 at 6:19 pm
MaryLundShu says:
Thi recipe was perfect timing, I just bought a lovely harvest yellow bundt pan from Good Will on Friday. My husband loves pound cake and I’ve never made it for him. I made it on Saturday, it was HUGE, SO GOOD and he loved it. Our oven is so tempermental (bakes very hot) that I’ll have to bake it a few times to get it right. It was on the dry side. I put the foil on it after baking for 50 min and when the edges were already over done. The rest of it looked like it needed just a little more time to finish baking but I let it go another 25 mins.
On March 9, 2009 at 11:02 am
Doris Willis says:
Your pound cake recipe is excellent. Pairs perfectly with freshly brewed black coffee. Super recipe. Thank you.
On March 16, 2009 at 9:51 am
Jamie Dome says:
Ok I have to admit I was so excited to taste this recipe. I am very pregnant with only nine days to go and could not help but make a pound cake. Here is where you get to laugh. I have been baking and cooking since I was nine..I am now 31 and still find it hard to believe that my mind lapses and I make these crazy mistakes. Needless to say as I was making this recipe I ended up grabbing a container of flour. Problem is that I have 3 containers of flour, cake flour, AP flour, and bread flour. As you can imagine to my dismay when I tasted the pound cake I realized that I happened to use bread flour. Hahahahahaha. My husband said it was ok but asked if next time I could use the right flour.
I definitely had a laugh over this and then of course cried (what do you expect with pregnancy emotions). However, this is definitely a try again recipe.
Thank you so much.
On April 13, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Karen says:
Hi Suzanne,
I just wanted to know if I should alter these cake recipes due to elevation. I am in Houston, Tx and tried the chocolate cake with white icing, but I baked it too long. I am going to try it again and bake it for 20 – 25 minutes. Other than it being a little dry, it had a great taste. I know once I master the time it will be perfect! That is a wonderful recipe!
Thanks!!
On January 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Hi, Karen! If you’re asking if my recipes are altered for *my* elevation, they’re not (we’re not That high) so these are not high-elevation recipes. Now whether you need to alter them for your elevation, I don’t know, but I assume you’re at a normal (albeit low) baking elevation, so I’d guess not.
On January 7, 2010 at 6:12 am
Rituparna says:
The pound cake is baking in the oven and smelling heavenly. I think I am going to nibble of some of the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. I don’t see you mentioning any baking powder or soda in the recipe. I added some to mine but needed to find out whether it would bake equally well without any.
On May 7, 2010 at 8:37 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Rituparna, that’s not a mistake, it doesn’t need any! (It won’t hurt, though, I’m sure.)
On May 7, 2010 at 8:40 am
Rituparna says:
well I got my reply while going thorough the comments.
On May 7, 2010 at 8:40 am
Joel G. says:
I weighed everything, and I didn’t get 3 1/2 cups of sugar. I only got two cups, and after tasting the batter, it seemed fine to me. I have it in the oven. Will let you all know how it turns out!
On March 21, 2013 at 2:13 am
Lightning says:
😀 this is soooo good! I’m presently working on a rid and I could fed the entire crew with this recipe (2 loaf pans). Thanks so much!!! Merry Christmas! :shimmy:
On December 21, 2016 at 5:38 pm