Paula Deen Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe: A Sweet Jackpot!

Paula Deen’s million dollar pound cake stands as a Southern culinary masterpiece that transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

This legendary recipe whispers tales of family gatherings and sweet traditions passed down through generations.

Butter, sugar, and flour blend in a decadent dance that promises pure indulgence.

Soft and dense, the cake carries the warmth of homemade comfort in every slice.

Almond and vanilla extracts weave a complex flavor tapestry that elevates this classic treat beyond ordinary desserts.

The golden exterior and tender crumb speak volumes about Southern baking expertise.

Make It Right: Instructions for Million Dollar Pound Cake

• Prepare Cake Station

Warm up the oven and get your baking space ready. Lovingly coat a tube pan with butter and dust it with a light sprinkle of flour to prevent sticking.

• Create Butter Base

Whip the butter into a dreamy, soft cloud using an electric mixer. Beat until it transforms into a pale, creamy texture that looks light and airy.

• Build Cake Foundation

Mix sugar into the butter, creating a fluffy mixture. Gently fold in eggs one by one, blending until the batter looks smooth and silky. Each egg should disappear completely into the mix.

• Combine Ingredients

Slowly blend flour and milk into the batter, alternating between the two. Use gentle strokes to incorporate everything smoothly. A rubber spatula helps eliminate any pesky lumps that might try to hide in the mix.

• Boost Flavor Profile

Splash in almond and vanilla extracts, stirring until they dance throughout the entire batter, creating a symphony of taste.

• Bake with Love

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let magic happen. Bake until a wooden skewer comes out clean – usually around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

• Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for a short while, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into this heavenly creation. The cake will reward your patience with a melt-in-your-mouth experience that brings joy to everyone who takes a bite.

Tips to Elevate Your Million Dollar Pound Cake

• Boost Your Baking Success: Expert Cake Crafting Tips
• Butter Temperature Matters: Pull butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure it reaches the perfect soft, room-temperature consistency for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Precision Mixing Technique: When adding eggs, pause between each addition to let the mixture fully incorporate, preventing potential curdling and creating a more stable batter foundation.
• Flour Sifting Strategy: Sift dry ingredients before measuring to break up any clumps and create a lighter, more even cake crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Extract Flavor Enhancement: Experiment with different extract combinations like orange, rum, or coconut to personalize the cake's flavor profile and surprise your taste buds with unique twists.

Presentation Tips for Million Dollar Pound Cake

• Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve this delightful cake alongside a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luxurious dessert experience that melts in your mouth.
• Dress with Sweet Drizzles: Enhance the cake's flavor by drizzling warm caramel sauce, chocolate ganache, or a light lemon glaze over each slice, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
• Create Fruity Accents: Complement the cake's rich texture by garnishing with fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or a sprinkle of toasted almond slivers for a delightful crunch and vibrant color contrast.
• Host an Afternoon Tea: Present this elegant cake on a beautiful serving platter during a sophisticated afternoon tea, pairing it with a delicate Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a truly refined moment.

How to Store Million Dollar Pound Cake Without Losing Flavor

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping its tender crumb and delicate flavor intact.
• Refrigerate with Care: When storing longer than 5 days, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week, ensuring moisture remains locked in.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the cake before freezing, placing parchment paper between layers. Wrap securely in plastic and aluminum foil, preserving taste for 2-3 months in the freezer.
• Revive Stored Slices: Bring refrigerated or frozen cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving, restoring its original soft texture and rich flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 525 kcal

Servings: 11

Inside Paula Deen’s Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, creamy texture and superior flavor.
• Milk: Choose whole milk for maximum richness and smooth cake consistency.
• Vegetable Shortening: Use for seamless pan greasing and creating tender cake edges.

• All-Purpose Flour: Pick fresh, sifted flour to ensure smooth batter and light cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Opt for fine, pure white sugar for consistent sweetness and smooth blending.

• Eggs: Select fresh, room-temperature large eggs for optimal mixing and cake structure.
• Almond Extract: Choose pure, high-quality extract for deep, nutty undertones.
• Vanilla Extract: Select pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust flavor profile.

Tools That Make Million Dollar Pound Cake Easy

• Electric Mixer: Powerful kitchen tool for creaming butter, blending sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• 10-inch Tube Pan: Special baking pan with a removable center tube, perfect for even cake baking.
• Wire Rack: Essential for cooling cakes, allowing air circulation underneath.
• Rubber Spatula: Flexible tool for folding ingredients and scraping batter from bowl edges.
• Wooden Skewer: Long, thin stick used to test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measuring tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Mixing Bowls: Spacious containers for combining and preparing cake ingredients.

Mouthwatering Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Paula Deen’s Million Dollar Pound Cake balances rich buttery flavor with classic Southern charm. Generous amounts of butter, eggs, and cream create a luxurious dessert that melts in your palate and invites memories of family gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups sugar
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) milk
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Grease a 10-inch tube pan thoroughly with butter, coating every surface. Dust interior with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Butter Transformation: Using an electric mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy. Whip at medium speed for several minutes, creating a voluminous base for the cake.
3. Sugar and Egg Integration: Gradually add sugar, continuing to mix until the mixture becomes exceptionally airy. Incorporate eggs individually, blending until each is completely absorbed and the color becomes uniform.
4. Liquid and Dry Ingredient Combination: Alternately add flour and milk to the mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix on low speed to maintain a smooth texture. Use a rubber spatula to eliminate any potential lumps, ensuring a silky consistency.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce almond and vanilla extracts, stirring until perfectly distributed throughout the batter. Mix thoroughly to guarantee an even flavor profile.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly to ensure consistent baking. Place in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center – it should come out completely clean.
7. Cooling and Serving: Remove cake from oven and let rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack. Carefully transfer to the rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for optimal creaming, which creates a light, fluffy texture essential to the cake’s signature richness.
• Mixing Technique is Crucial: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until pale and voluminous, which incorporates air and contributes to the cake’s delicate crumb structure.
• Egg Integration Technique: Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition to prevent batter separation and maintain a smooth, consistent mixture.
• Precision in Baking Time: Watch cake closely during final baking stage, as ovens vary; wooden skewer test is definitive for determining perfect doneness without drying out the cake.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg