Best Poundcake Recipes

LEMON POPPY SEED POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch loaf pan.
• In a bowl, combine lemon zest and sugar and rub with your fingers until it looks like wet sand. Whisk in buttermilk, 3 tablespoons lemon juice and eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into the batter, then whisk in oil and poppy seeds.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan until warm to the touch, then turn out onto a baking rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Turn cake right side up.
• Whisk together remaining 4 teaspoons lemon juice and the confectioners' sugar. Use a pastry brush to spread glaze evenly over top and sides of cake. Cool completely before slicing.

THE MOST ADAPTABLE ONE-BOWL CORNMEAL POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees, and grease and flour a 9-inch loaf pan. (Or grease and line it with parchment.)
• In a big bowl, add the sugar, and grate the zest from the orange, lemon or lime into the bowl. If you need a little aromatherapy, work the zest into the sugar with your fingers. (This technique is supposed to infuse the citrus into the sugar.)
• Add the fat, eggs, and yogurt to the bowl, along with the extract and nutmeg, if you like.
• Whisk in the salt, baking soda, baking powder and cornmeal. Once smooth, whisk in flour.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Let it (mostly) cool in the pan. Then slice off a thick piece, butter it and let yourself be soothed.

PEACH POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly butter and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, and set aside.
• Dice 1 peach into 1/3-inch pieces. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel and set aside.
• Add the remaining 2 peaches and the lemon juice to a food processor or blender, and blend on high until completely puréed. Measure out 1 leveled cup of the purée and transfer it to a mixing bowl along with the melted butter, eggs, egg yolk and vanilla. Whisk to combine and set aside.
• Completely scrape down the sides of the food processor, and make the icing using the small amount of puréed peaches still remaining: Add 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar to the remaining peach purée in the food processor and blend on high until combined. The icing should be thick but thin enough to drizzle. Add more confectioners' sugar to thicken or a splash of water to thin, as needed. Cover and set aside until it's time to ice the cake.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt, and whisk to combine. Pour the peach mixture into the flour mixture, and whisk well until the batter is thoroughly combined, then fold in the diced peaches. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan, spread evenly to the edges, and bake until crusty and golden brown on the top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 75 to 80 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
• Stir the icing a final time and spread it on top of the warm cake, allowing the extra icing to drip down the sides. Cool the cake to room temperature. Slice and serve, or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store on the counter for up to 3 days.

COLD OVEN POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Do not preheat the oven. Grease and flour the bottom, sides and tube of a 9-inch tube cake pan.
• Cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition, but do not overbeat. Set the mixer on slow speed and stir in the flour and cream alternately, beginning and ending with the flour. Add the vanilla and stir well.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and put the cake in a cold oven. Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Begin timing now and bake the cake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Test of doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake. The toothpick should be clean when it is removed. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to continue cooling.

LEMON BUTTERMILK POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• This moist, lemony cake is a perfect brunch or picnic cake.
• Set a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees. Butter a 10-inch bundt pan and flour the buttered surface, shaking out the excess. Combine butter, sugar, flour and baking powder in mixer with paddle. Beat on low speed 2 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients and add to mixer in 3 additions, beating 1 minute between each addition. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour, until cake is well risen and well colored and a knife inserted between the edge and tube emerges clean. Place cake on a rack in pan. For glaze, combine water and sugar and bring to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and vanilla. Unmold cake and brush glaze evenly all over outside of cake. Cool and wrap for storage. The berry compote, combine all ingredients, cover and refrigerate several hours. Serve slices of the cake with the compote.

PECAN CRUNCH CREAM CHEESE POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter and line with two pieces of crisscrossed parchment: Lay the first sheet in the pan, butter it lightly, then lay the other sheet across. Both pieces should extend a few inches above the edges of the pan, making a sling that you'll use to lift the cake out.
• Make the pecan crunch, if desired: Break the crackers into a few pieces and add to the bowl of a food processor. Add the nuts and sugar. Process until you have fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse it in until evenly incorporated.
• Spoon about half of the crunch mixture into the prepared pan and press it evenly across the bottom. Press the remaining mixture against the sides, stopping about 1 inch from the top of the pan: Begin by tilting the pan to one side and use a bench scraper or the flat side of a metal spatula to lift, spread and press the coating against the side of the pan. Without tilting the pan, repeat with the remaining three sides. Use the back of a small spoon to even the coating on the sides and against the corners of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 3 days.
• Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons sour cream and the vanilla, just until lightly combined.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt on low speed for 30 seconds.
• Add the butter, cream cheese and the remaining 6 tablespoons sour cream. Mix on low speed until the flour mixture is moistened. Raise the speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Starting on medium-low speed, gradually pour the egg mixture to the batter in two parts, beating on medium speed for 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• Gently spoon the batter into the crunch coating-lined pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Use a small knife to dislodge the crunch coating at the corners and lift the cake out, using the parchment paper "sling."
• Let cool completely before gently removing the parchment and transferring to a serving plate or cutting board. (Or, wrap well and store at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days.) To serve, use a serrated knife to cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

CHOCOLATE STREUSEL POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, then line with parchment paper, leaving enough to hang over the edges of the pan. Grease the parchment on the bottom of the loaf pan.
• In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate for the cake, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool while you prepare the streusel.
• Prepare the streusel: In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Using fingers or a fork, cut in the butter until it is evenly distributed and forms large, moist crumbs. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Scatter half the streusel evenly into the bottom of the loaf pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until baked through.
• Prepare the cake: In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat melted butter, both sugars and salt together until combined. Beat in egg, vanilla extract, yogurt, milk and melted chocolate. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
• Scrape batter into prepared pan and top with remaining streusel. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake emerges clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool completely before turning out and slicing.

RICE FLOUR POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan. Melt coconut oil in small saucepan over low heat. Bring oil back to room temperature before baking. In a medium mixing bowl, combine rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper, if using.
• Using an electric mixer, whisk together coconut oil, butter and sugar at high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. With the motor still running, add eggs and combine until creamed and very fluffy. Reduce to low speed and whisk in a third of the flour mixture. Once combined, add sour cream. Whisk in another third of the dry ingredients, then half of the coconut milk. Add the remaining flour mixture. At a medium speed, whisk in the rest of the coconut milk, and mezcal, until smooth and completely combined.
• Scrape batter into pan and smooth the top with the spatula. Bake until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 to 55 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn on a wire rack to cool completely.

IRISH CREAM POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray, then dust with flour.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed until incorporated, about 30 seconds each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the mixture to the bowl of the stand mixer and mix on low until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add the Irish cream and mix on low to combine, 15 seconds more.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Bake until the surface of the cake is lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then unmold onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar and Irish cream together in a medium bowl to form a thick glaze. Spoon the glaze over the surface of the loaf, letting the excess drip down the sides. Let the glaze set for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

BANANAS FOSTER POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees and generously coat a 10-inch/12-cup Bundt cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Make the bananas Foster filling: Peel the bananas and cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Melt butter in a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon, then add the sliced bananas. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a sugary syrup forms, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Turn off the flame (or if using an electric stove, pull the skillet off the heat) and add the liquor, if using. Return pan to the heat and, if using a gas stove, slightly tilt the pan near the flame to flambé. (If using an electric stove, light the liquid with a long-reach lighter.) Let the flames die down, swirling the pan until the alcohol burns off. Reduce heat to low and stir briefly with a wooden spoon. (Alternatively, skip adding the alcohol, add buttermilk and cook sauce just until the liquid reduces slightly.) Strain liquid from bananas into a medium bowl to separate bananas and sauce; set both aside.
• Make the cake: In a stand mixer or with a hand-held mixer on medium speed, cream together granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Sift the flour into a medium bowl. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix together the sour cream and buttermilk.
• Once the butter is creamed, add 1 egg at a time and mix until each is fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• Add half the flour and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. With the mixer running, add the buttermilk mixture in a slow, steady stream and mix until fully incorporated. Add the remaining flour and mix.
• Once fully combined, add the vanilla and mix to incorporate. By hand, fold in strained bananas.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth evenly. Bake for 65 to 80 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
• While the cake cools, prepare the glaze: Sift the confectioners' sugar into the bowl with the reserved banana sauce and whisk to combine. If the glaze is too thick, thin with water (or buttermilk), 1 tablespoon at a time, until it's smooth, drizzles easily and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
• Once cake has cooled, invert it onto a large serving plate, and spoon the glaze over. Slice the cake and serve with ice cream or whipped cream and candied pralines, if desired.

CITRUS-ALMOND POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-cup Bundt pan. Put lemon juice, orange juice and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan over low heat; cook until the sugar dissolves and remove from heat.
• Put almond paste and remaining 2 cups sugar in food processor and process until well combined; add butter and continue processing until light and fluffy. With the machine running, add eggs one at a time along with zest and vanilla, and continue to process until smooth.
• Stop the machine, add the flour, baking powder and salt, and pulse a few times - just until the dry ingredients are integrated (be careful not to over process, or the cake will become tough). Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until golden, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. When a skewer or thin-bladed knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, remove the cake from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Pour the citrus soak over the cake and let it sit for about 30 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the cake releases from the pan easily. Cut into slices.

POUNDCAKE FILLED WITH FRESH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper then butter and flour it. Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light. Mix in the lemon zest. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter alternately with the sour cream, mixing just to combine. Spread half of the batter in the prepared pan. Cover with the raspberries. Top with the remaining batter, smoothing out the top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Place on a rack to cool. Turn the cake out of the pan and dust the top with powdered sugar. Cut into slices and serve.

POUNDCAKE AND STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl or a standing mixer, beat the butter until it is creamed, then add the sugar, beating until it is well mixed. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add them to the mixture. Add the salt. Add the flour, a little bit at a time, and then the vanilla, the lemon zest and juice, mixing to incorporate.
• Grease and flour a Bundt pan or two cake pans. Pour in the batter. Bake for approximately 1 1/4 hours, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Turn the cake out and allow to cool on a rack.
• Cut the cake into large cubes. Combine strawberries with sugar in a bowl and allow to sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Put strawberries on top of cake. Top with whipped cream.

CORNMEAL POUNDCAKE WITH FRESH BERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 9x5inch loaf pan. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until top is golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, 45 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool cake 10 minutes. Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out onto rack and cool completely.
• Combine 1 cup strawberries and 1/2 cup raspberries in processor. Puree until smooth. Strain, if desired. Transfer sauce to medium bowl. Add remaining strawberries and raspberries. Sweeten with sugar, if desired.
• Cut cake into slices. Serve with berries and sauce.

CRèME FRAîCHE POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, including the rim. Sprinkle a little sugar into the pan, tilting to coat the bottom and sides in a thin, even layer.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. (Using 1/2 teaspoon baking powder yields a dense and velvety interior, while 1 teaspoon makes the cake slightly airier and softer.)
• In a large bowl using an electric mixer, either hand-held or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well between additions.
• With the mixer set on low speed, beat in half the flour mixture. Beat in the crème fraîche, then the remaining flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla extract.
• Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. (Depending on your pan, it may fill it all the way to the top, and that is OK.) Bake until the cake is browned on top and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes while you make the syrup.
• In a small bowl, combine 1 cup/120 grams of the confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract or rum, and 2 tablespoons water, whisking until smooth. (It should be quite thin. Add more water, if needed.) Using a long, thin paring knife, pierce the cake all over about 20 times, poking all the way through. Spoon 4 tablespoons of the syrup over the warm cake. Reserve remaining syrup in the bowl.
• After the cake has cooled in the pan for an hour, run a thin metal spatula or butter knife around the edges to release them from the pan, then unmold the cake onto the rack to finish cooling.
• Whisk crème fraîche and remaining 1/2 cup/60 grams confectioners' sugar into the syrup until you get a thick glaze, as thick as heavy cream. Add a little more confectioners' sugar or water if needed to get the right texture.
• Pour the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

TOASTED-ALMOND POUNDCAKE WITH STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Set aside to cool.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat eggs and 1 cup sugar until thick and pale, about 3 minutes.
• In a bowl, sift together almond flour, cake flour and zest. Fold 1/3 of the flour mixture into eggs until thoroughly combined. Fold in rest of flour in 2 batches. Fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Scrape batter into pan, and sprinkle almonds on top. Brush remaining butter over almonds.
• Bake cake until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. If the top of the cake seems to be getting overly browned before the center is set, cover with foil and continue baking. Let cool on a rack before inverting.
• Meanwhile, make the compote. In a medium saucepan, combine 12 ounces of the strawberries, the rhubarb, 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until fruit breaks down into a puree. Let mixture cool, then taste and add more sugar if desired.
• Just before serving, place remaining strawberries in a large skillet, and sprinkle with sugar to taste. Cook strawberries over high heat until they release their juices and sugar dissolves. Serve slices of the poundcake surrounded by strawberry-rhubarb compote and topped with strawberries.

KEY LIME POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Generously butter and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Sift the flour and baking powder and set aside.
• Mix butter and cream cheese in bowl of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer on medium speed, until blended; gradually add sugar and beat on medium speed for 5 minutes until light in color and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs about a quarter at a time, fully incorporating before adding the next.
• Add lime zest and mix to incorporate. Add dry ingredients alternately with lime juice, beginning and ending with flour mixture and adding juice in two additions. Mix just enough to incorporate. Pour batter into pan until it is just 3/4-inch from the top (you may have a little batter left over; do not use it or you risk overflow). Firmly tap the pan on the counter a few times to reduce air pockets.
• Bake for about 1 hour, or until just set in the middle. Check cake after 30 minutes; if top is browning too quickly, tent with foil. If the cake is not set in the middle after an hour, continue baking, checking middle at 5-minute intervals, until set.
• Cool in the pan for 20 minutes; loosen edges and turn out cake onto plate with raised edges to contain the glaze.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a glass bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until well blended and a little fluffy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on slow speed, gradually add confectioners' sugar until fully incorporated, then beat for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Mix in the lime juice, then heat the mixture in a microwave oven for a minute or more until it is very warm and loose. Using a wooden skewer, poke several holes in the cake. Pour half the glaze over cake, let sit for 10 minutes, pour remaining glaze over cake and sprinkle with lime zest.

LEMON POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan. Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light. Add the lemon zest, then the eggs, one at a time, mixing until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the sour cream, mixing just to combine. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Place on a rack.
• Put the confectioners' sugar in a bowl and gradually whisk in the lemon juice. Brush some of the mixture over the top of the cake. Let stand for 10 minutes. Turn the cake out of the pan and brush the cake top, sides and bottom well with the lemon mixture. Repeat after 10 minutes. Slice and serve.

EGGNOG POUNDCAKE WITH CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Beat on low until for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. , Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , For sauce, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolk; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. , Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Store in the refrigerator. Serve with the cake.

POLENTA POUNDCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter and lightly flour the insides of a 10-inch round cake pan.
• Sift together the flour, polenta, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a mixer, on medium speed, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add 1 cup of the sugar and beat until pale and fluffy Add almond paste and beat again. Blend in vanilla and almond extracts, then beat in the egg yolks, 1 at a time, being sure that each is mixed in before the next is added. Alternately, beat in small amounts of the sifted dry ingredients and the cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
• In a clean mixer, beat egg whites until opaque, then add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until whites form soft peaks. Fold into batter gently but thoroughly. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for about 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. (Do not test or move the cakes before they have baked for at least 45 minutes since they are delicate and may fall.)
• Allow the cake to cool and when cooled remove from the pan and dust the top with powdered sugar. Cut into eighths or tenths.
• Serve this cake with summer fruits -peaches, nectarines, apricots, berries¿-tossed with a little sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a pinch of gray salt.