Description
Paula Deen’s legendary pound cake delivers Southern comfort in each slice. Silky butter, rich vanilla, and a glossy glaze create a classic dessert that melts in your mouth and invites generous second helpings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 5 eggs
- 2 sticks (226 grams) butter
- 1 cup milk
Binding and Rising Agents:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
Flavoring and Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- Additional vanilla extract (for glaze)
- Additional butter (for greasing pan)
- Additional flour (for dusting pan)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously coat a tube or bundt pan with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend unsalted butter and vegetable shortening until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate granulated sugar incrementally, whipping the mixture until it transforms into a cloud-like, airy texture with increased volume.
- Introduce whole eggs individually into the creamed foundation, ensuring thorough integration and smooth incorporation after each addition.
- Create a separate preparation zone and carefully sift together all-purpose flour, fine salt, and double-acting baking powder to eliminate potential lumps.
- Methodically introduce the dry ingredient mixture and whole milk into the creamed base, alternating between the two components. Begin and conclude with flour incorporation, then gently fold in pure vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
- Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, distributing evenly. Bake for 60 to 90 minutes, periodically testing with a slender wooden pick inserted near the center; the cake is complete when the pick emerges spotless and dry.
- While the cake cools, craft a complementary glaze by whisking confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a glossy, pourable consistency.
- Once the cake has reached room temperature, cascade the luminous glaze across the surface, allowing it to naturally set and create an enticing finish.
Notes
- Cooling transforms texture, letting flavors settle and glaze set perfectly without running or becoming soggy.
- Toothpick testing reveals precise baking moment, ensuring moist interior without raw batter or dried edges.
- Pan preparation prevents sticky disasters, creating smooth cake release with thorough greasing and light flour dusting.
- Gentle mixing protects delicate cake structure, keeping batter tender and preventing tough, dense results.
- Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, creating silky smooth batter with superior volume and consistent texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 561 kcal
- Sugar: 51.4g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 26.7g
- Saturated Fat: 12.6g
- Carbohydrates: 75.1g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Protein: 6.6g
- Cholesterol: 119mg