The Heartwarming Tradition of Southern Pound Cake: A Recipe to Savor

Nostalgia Meets Flavor in Southern Baking

There’s something about traditional southern baking that warms the heart. As I reminisce about my grandmother’s kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked pound cake often comes to mind. The cherished recipe was shared through generations, embodying the joy of family gatherings and southern hospitality. This nostalgic dessert, with its irresistible buttery texture and tender crumb, remains a staple in southern households, inviting everyone to indulge in its classic charm.

Preparing this moist, buttery bundt-style cake is as gratifying as the end result. Here’s what you need to know:

• Rich, moist, and buttery with a tender crumb — this Southern Pound Cake is baked from scratch using simple ingredients, perfect for holidays, gatherings, or a sweet afternoon treat.

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  🕒 Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

  • Servings: 10–12

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  🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened

  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable shortening (or replace with butter for all-butter flavor)

  • 3 cups (600g) granulated sugar

  • 6 large eggs, room temperature

  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk or buttermilk

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or mix 1 tsp vanilla + 1 tsp almond extract for classic Southern flavor)

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  🔪 Directions

  1. Preheat the Oven
     Preheat to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan.

  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
     In a large bowl, beat butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

  3. Add the Eggs
     Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

  4. Combine Dry Ingredients
     In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

  5. Alternate Wet and Dry
     Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour.
     Mix until smooth, then stir in vanilla extract.

  6. Bake
     Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
     Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  7. Cool and Serve
     Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
     Dust lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze.