Description
Creamy vanilla buttermilk pound cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, tender crumb. Smooth cream cheese glaze adds luxurious sweetness, making you crave each delectable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups (500 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (240 mL) buttermilk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsps milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 325F (160C). Generously grease a bundt or loaf pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, creating a uniform mixture. Set aside this essential dry blend.
- Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer, beating until light, fluffy, and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes. This process develops the cake’s signature texture.
- Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each. Blend in vanilla extract, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture.
- Batter Assembly: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter base, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently to preserve the cake’s delicate crumb structure.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 60-70 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
- Cooling Technique: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack. Allow complete cooling to room temperature.
- Glaze Creation: Whip cream cheese until smooth, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and milk. Stir until achieving a silky, pourable consistency. Enhance with a touch of vanilla extract.
- Finishing Touch: Once cooled, artfully drizzle glaze over the cake, allowing it to elegantly cascade down the sides.
- Serving and Storage: Slice and serve immediately. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for two days or refrigerate up to five days for extended enjoyment.
Notes
- Select High-Quality Ingredients: Use premium vanilla extract and fresh buttermilk for the most robust flavor profile and rich, creamy texture.
- Manage Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing batter after adding dry ingredients to prevent developing tough gluten structures that could compromise the cake’s delicate, tender crumb.
- Control Baking Temperature: Keep oven temperature consistent at 325F to ensure even baking and prevent external burning while maintaining internal moisture.
- Glaze Application Strategy: Allow cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, absorbed glaze and maintain distinct, elegant drizzle patterns.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 406
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 174 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg