Pound Cake

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pound-cake-with-strawberries

The History Of Pound Cake

The recipe was first mentioned in print in 1740. Pound cake has been a favorite in both the U.S and the U.K. for over 2 centuries. According to Alan Davidson Germany and France have similar cakes; The Sandtorte and the, quatre quarts, respectively.

Pound Cake Varieties

Pound cake is frequently flavored simply with vanilla and served with fresh fruit. The basic pound cake can also be served with a simple citrus or other flavored glaze.

Variations are countless from Key Lime, Rum or various Liqueurs. Other versions are made with poppy seeds and even dried fruits.

Basic Pound Cake Recipe

This recipe is by the makers of C&H Sugar. Visit the C&H website for more tempting recipes.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup C&H Pure Cane Granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup butter or margarine (2 sticks), softened 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder 
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F.
  1. Grease 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. In large bowl, beat sugar, butter, vanilla and extracts until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Beat into sugar mixture until smooth.
  2. Spread batter in loaf pan. Cut through batter several times with knife to break large air bubbles. Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  3. Remove from pan immediately and cool right side up on rack. Wrap in plastic wrap when completely cooled. 
  4. To serve: Slice pound cake. Top with ice cream and drizzle with warm sauce. Sprinkle with blackberries and garnish with mint sprigs.

Fun Fact about Pound Cake

The cake is named "pound cake" because the original recipe used 1 pound of flour, one pound of butter, one pound of sugar and one pound of eggs.

Nutrition Information For Pound Cake

Serving Size
1 piece (1/10 of cake)
 
Calories
116
Calories from Fat
54
 
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g
10%
Saturated Fat 3g
10%
Cholesterol 66mg
20%
Sodium 119mg
0%
Potassium
36g
0%
Total Carbohydrate 15g
0%
Dietary Fiber 0g
0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 2g
0%
 
Vitamin A  0% • Vitamin C  0%
Calcium  0% • Iron  0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Pound Cake Serving Suggests

Pound cake can be dressed up in any number of ways to make a quick, attractive looking dessert.

  • Top with fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping
  • Slice pound cake and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter, drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce
  • Cut slices into bite size squares.  Top each square with a strawberry and spear with a toothpick.
  • Serve with a raspberry coulis.  Puree 1 package raspberries with 1 tablespoon sugar.  Drizzle coulis over slices of pound cake.

Freeze Pound Cake

Pound cake is one of those products that freezes very well.  You can freeze the cake whole, or sliced.  If you freeze slices, place the slices in individual plastic bags, then place them into a large freezer bag. 

Sources & More Information

FoodTimeline - Various references to history of the pound cake as well as several very old recipes.

The Oxford Companion To Food - Davidson

author

Barbara Bowman graduated with degree in Foods and Nutrition from San Jose State University. As CEO of GourmetSleuth.com she spends most waking hours writing, cooking, eating, gardening and traveling.