How to Make Pound Cake Using a Hand Mixer

Pound cakes are so named because the original recipe called for one pound each of flour, butter, eggs and sugar. You can still make this delicious picnic staple without using a pound for each and still have the same consistency and taste. Along with being a great with jams, butter and by itself, various flavors, such almond, apple and others can be added to cake. This very versatile cake can be made by following the simple instructions below.

Things You'll Need

• 1 3/4 cups (230 grams) cake flour, sifted
• 2 tsps. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 cup (226 g) (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) superfine or castor sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsps. pure vanilla extract
• Zest of a lemon or orange (optional)
• Hand mixer
• 9-by-5-by-3-inch pan
• Parchment paper
• Nonstick spray
• Sifter
• Spatula
• 2 Bowls
• Zester (optional)
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven, shut the oven door and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch (23-by-13-by-8-cm) loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Sift together (twice) flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. Put the butter in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar gradually while beating the butter and sugar mixture on medium-high speed until light and fluffy--about five minutes. Scrape the sides as needed. After the batter is a light yellow color, add the eggs one at a time while continuing to mix well. Add the vanilla and lemon zest (optional). Beat until incorporated. Add the flour mixture and, using a spatula, mix until incorporated.

4. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to an hour or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

5. Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Flip the pan over the wire rack to get the cake out. Allow the cake to cool out of the pan. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have superfine sugar, you can make your own by placing 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar in your food processor and processing it until the crystals are very fine--about 30 seconds.

• Always use an oven mitt when handling baking pans straight from the oven.

References

• Pound Cake Recipe

Resources

• Traditional Pound Cake Recipe