Easy Paula Deen Mama’s Pound Cake Recipe: A Classic Sweet Treat

Paula Deen’s legendary Mama’s pound cake represents Southern baking at its finest, a rich and decadent dessert that whispers comfort with every tender crumb.

Dense and luxurious, this cake transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that feels like a warm family embrace.

Generations of Southern kitchens have celebrated this classic recipe, passing down techniques that ensure a perfectly moist and golden-brown creation.

Each slice promises a nostalgic journey through butter-laden memories and sweet traditions that connect families across generations.

Soft yet sturdy, the cake velvety texture emerges from a careful balance of ingredients that create an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Bakers of all skill levels can recreate this timeless treat, turning an ordinary afternoon into a moment of pure indulgence.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake

• Southern Lemon Burst: Zest two lemons into the batter and replace vanilla extract with fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy flavor. Dust with powdered sugar after cooling.
• Nutty Southern Classic: Fold 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking. Toast the nuts lightly beforehand to enhance their rich, earthy flavor.
• Chocolate Marble Wonder: Divide batter in half, adding 1/4 cup cocoa powder to one portion. Swirl chocolate and vanilla batters together in the pan for a stunning marbled effect.
• Spiced Autumn Comfort: Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. Top with a warm caramel drizzle after the cake cools completely.

Final Words on Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake

Southern comfort whispers through Paula Deen’s classic pound cake, a cherished recipe passed down through generations.

Rich buttermilk and vanilla create luxurious layers of homestyle sweetness.

Generations of family gatherings celebrate this simple yet extraordinary dessert.

Warm slices invite memories of grandmother’s kitchen and Southern hospitality.

Culinary traditions shine brightest when shared with loved ones around sweet treats like this.

You’ll want to savor each crumb, snap a photo for social media, spark conversations with friends, and spread delicious joy through this timeless recipe.

What Makes Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake So Special

• Craft a Nostalgic Southern Comfort: This Paula Deen pound cake transports you straight to a cozy Southern kitchen, delivering pure homestyle warmth with every tender slice.
• Effortlessly Elegant Baking: Despite its impressive appearance, the recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want a foolproof dessert that looks professionally made.
• Silky Smooth Texture Triumph: The careful combination of butter, shortening, and precise mixing techniques creates an incredibly moist, dense cake with a luxuriously smooth crumb that melts in your mouth, promising a rich and indulgent experience.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: This classic pound cake works beautifully for multiple occasions – from casual family gatherings to sophisticated dinner parties, and can be dressed up with fresh berries, whipped cream, or enjoyed perfectly plain.

Key Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture with smooth, high-quality dairy butter.
• Shortening: Ensures soft, moist cake consistency with a light and fluffy result.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, tender cake crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for cake structure, choose fresh and unbleached flour.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth cake batter, whole milk works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, classic flavor with pure extract preferred over artificial.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to 350°F. Grab a tube pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whip Up the Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter and shortening until they become smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious foundation for your cake.

Step 3: Create a Sweet Mixture

Gradually sprinkle in sugar, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Crack eggs one at a time, beating well to ensure each is fully incorporated into the batter.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift these ingredients to eliminate any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.

Step 5: Blend Everything Together

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. This technique helps create a light, fluffy cake. Pour in vanilla extract and mix until the batter is silky smooth.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into your prepared tube pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 1 to 1.5 hours. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is ready.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for a few minutes to set. Carefully remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy this melt-in-your-mouth dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake

• Prevent Overmixing Mishaps: Stop mixing once ingredients blend smoothly to avoid a tough, dense cake texture that ruins the delicate pound cake experience.
• Rotate Pan Midway: Spin the baking pan halfway through cooking to guarantee even heat distribution and prevent uneven browning or dry edges.
• Select High-Quality Butter: Choose unsalted butter with rich, creamy consistency for maximum flavor and superior cake performance.
• Control Ingredient Temperatures: Keep butter, eggs, and milk at room temperature to create perfect batter consistency and smooth cake structure.
• Test Doneness Strategically: Insert a clean toothpick near cake's center around 60 minutes of baking; minimal crumbs indicate perfectly cooked pound cake.

How to Keep Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake Fresh

• Preserve Flavor Layers: Slice pound cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. This method prevents freezer burn and allows you to thaw exactly what you need without compromising texture or taste.
• Counter Storage Strategy: Keep freshly baked pound cake at room temperature for maximum moisture retention. Place under a cake dome or cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and softness.
• Moisture-Locking Technique: Transfer cooled cake to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Insert a small piece of bread alongside the cake to maintain moisture levels. Replace bread slice every 24 hours to ensure continued freshness and prevent drying out.

Paula Deen Mamas Pound Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s Mama’s Pound Cake delivers Southern comfort in a classic dessert. Creamy butter, rich eggs, and pure vanilla create a silky texture that melts in your mouth, inviting you to savor each delectable slice of heritage and tradition.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ½ lb (227 grams) butter
• ½ cup vegetable shortening

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk

Dry Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating a tube pan with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Create a creamy base by blending unsalted butter and vegetable shortening in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and fluffy.
3. Incorporate granulated sugar gradually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure even distribution and a consistent texture.
4. Gently introduce whole eggs one at a time, thoroughly beating the mixture after each addition to maintain a light and airy consistency.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even ingredient dispersion.
6. Alternately fold the dry ingredient mixture and whole milk into the butter mixture, beginning and concluding with the flour blend to maintain optimal batter consistency.
7. Infuse the batter with pure vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture becomes completely smooth and well-integrated.
8. Transfer the prepared batter into the prepared tube pan, ensuring an even distribution for consistent baking.
9. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 90 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center, which should emerge without raw batter.
10. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to rest in the pan for approximately 10-15 minutes to facilitate easier removal.
11. Carefully transfer the cake to a wire cooling rack, letting it cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Verify Cake Readiness: A clean toothpick or minimal crumbs indicate the cake has fully baked after approximately one hour of cooking time.
• Mix Ingredients Strategically: Begin and conclude the mixing process with flour while alternating between dry ingredients and milk to maintain batter consistency.
• Incorporate Eggs Gradually: Adding eggs individually promotes smooth blending and prevents potential batter separation.
• Whip Butter and Sugar Completely: Extensive beating transforms butter, shortening, and sugar into a light, airy mixture essential for cake structure.
• Prepare Ingredients Thoughtfully: Allowing butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature before mixing creates a more uniform and tender cake texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 561
• Sugar: 51.4g
• Sodium: 140mg
• Fat: 26.7g
• Saturated Fat: 12.6g
• Carbohydrates: 75.1g
• Fiber: 0.8g
• Protein: 6.6g
• Cholesterol: 119mg