What is the secret to a good pound cake?

Pound cake is a Southern baking favorite, available in a seemingly endless variety. Whether you want a light berry dessert for a summer picnic or a rich spice cake to kickstart fall, there is a pound cake recipe for everyone.

Pound cake, typically made in a Bundt mold or loaf pan, shares the core ingredients of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. Whether covered in powdered sugar, glazed, or iced, pound cake is a staple dessert every baker should know how to make.

How long to bake pound cake at 325

Our Test Kitchen breaks down some critical steps to distinguish between a baking disaster and pound cake perfection.

1. Prepare the recipe as directed, and use name-brand ingredients.

Store brands of sugar are often more finely ground than name brands, yielding more sugar per cup, which can cause the cake to fall.

Store brands of butter may contain more liquid fat and flour more hard wheat, making the cake heavy.

Traditional pound cake recipe

2. Measure accurately.

Be sure to use dry measuring cups for flour and sugar. Spoon flour into the cups and lightly level with the straight edge of a small offset

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how long does a pound cake take to bake at 350