Vanilla Almond Pound Cake
Vanilla Almond Pound Cake is a moist, rich dessert made with a blend of vanilla and almond extracts. The cake is typically prepared with butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and milk, creating a dense yet tender texture. It’s often topped with a glaze or powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan or similar-sized baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp almond extract
- 1 ¼ cups sour cream or buttermilk
- Powdered sugar optional, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream or buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
1. Enhance with Glaze: For an extra layer of sweetness, consider adding a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a bit of milk or cream. Drizzle it over the cooled cake for a glossy, delicious finish that adds both flavor and visual appeal.
2. Customizing Flavors: You can easily adjust the flavor profile by swapping out the almond extract for other extracts like hazelnut or maple if you prefer a different twist.
You can also incorporate citrus zest (like lemon or orange) to complement the vanilla and almond for a fresh, fragrant variation.
3. Storage Tips: This cake stays fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze slices for up to a month.
Simply wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. To serve, just thaw at room temperature for a few hours.