Are you craving a moist, tender pound cake but short on time? This easy pound cake recipe, using a cake mix as a base, is your answer! Forget complicated techniques and lengthy baking times. This recipe delivers a classic, delightful pound cake with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend baking adventures. It's one of those quick dinner ideas that also satisfies your sweet tooth. It's a delicious dish, even for beginners in homemade cooking.
Ingredients:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple preparation prevents sticking and ensures a clean release of your beautiful pound cake.
Mixing the Batter:
-
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, resulting in a lighter texture. A stand mixer or hand mixer works perfectly, but you can also achieve good results with vigorous whisking.
-
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate any unmixed batter.
-
Stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances the flavor of the cake, adding a touch of warmth and sweetness.
Combining and Baking:
-
Gradually add the cake mix to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – don't overmix. Overmixing can develop gluten and result in a tough cake.
-
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving:
-
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from sticking and allows for even cooling.
-
Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar (optional) and serve. Enjoy this easy and delicious pound cake!
Tips for the Best Pound Cake:
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Check for doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to test for doneness; it should come out clean.
- Cool completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before serving to prevent it from crumbling.
Variations:
- Lemon Pound Cake: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a zesty twist.
- Chocolate Pound Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix instead of yellow cake mix.
- Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of cloves to the batter.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 300-350
- Fat: Around 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Around 40-45g
- Protein: Around 4-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy this easy and delicious pound cake recipe and discover the joy of homemade cooking! This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for easy recipes, healthy meals (relatively!), or simply a delicious dessert. It's definitely one of the best recipes out there for its ease and amazing taste.