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
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce almond and vanilla extracts, stirring until perfectly distributed throughout the batter. Mix thoroughly to guarantee an even flavor profile.
- 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.
- 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