Classic Pound Cake

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1/2 lb unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups cake flour, sifted after measuring

Recipe

• 1 position oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 325°.
• 2 add butter and sugar to a bowl of a stand mixer; beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment until very light, about 5 minutes.
• 3 one at a time, beat in 3 of the eggs, beating until smooth after each addition.
• 4 decrease mixer speed to low and beat in 1/3 of the flour, then another egg, beating until smooth after each addition.
• 5 stop mixer occasionally and scrape the bottom and sides of bowl with a rubber spatula.
• 6 beat in another third of the flour, then after the flour has been absorbed, beat in final egg.
• 7 scrape again and beat in the last of the flour.
• 8 use the rubber spatula to give a final mix to the batter, then scrape it into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• 9 bake for about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours, or until the cake is well risen, cracked on top, and well-colored and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• 10 cool cake in pan for a few minutes, then unmold it onto a rack and turn right side up to finish cooling.