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Granny’s Pound Cake – Tender and never dry, with a buttery taste and incredible texture. This Pound Cake is delicious toasted or served with juicy fresh fruit, ice cream or as a layer in a trifle. This cake also freezes beautifully.
Do you have one of those recipes? You know the one that’s perfect every time you make it? This pound cake is one of those amazing recipes. It’s so simple, always delicious and a consistent crowd favorite. There are two recipes my mother-in-law gave me and I’ve made them for the last 32 years (as of 2018). One is this Sweet & Sour Meatloaf (or Dutch meatloaf) I posted recently, and the other is this pound cake. Everybody loves this cake. It’s perfect, every. single. time.
You can make this in two loaf pans or one large Bundt pan. It freezes beautifully and my husband even likes it sliced and warmed in the toaster. I’ve served it plain, with strawberries, whipped cream and/or ice cream. It’s a great cake layer in our Mixed Berry Trifle because the cake is like a sponge! Let me know if you make it and how you serve it. I hope you enjoy this one – it’s a keeper!
This easy pound cake is make with just a few pantry ingredients:
All you need is cake flour, sugar, 6 jumbo eggs, cream cheese, butter and margarine. The original recipe doesn’t call for vanilla but I’ve been adding it the last few years.
I’m posting the recipe as it was passed on to me but adding some suggestions in the notes. Personally, I don’t cook or bake with margarine anymore so I’ve been making this cake using all butter. I never have jumbo eggs on hand, so I usually make it with 7 large eggs instead.
I’ve found that this cake bakes much faster when using all butter. See my tips in the notes about the baking time. It also gets just a little darker brown on the crust.
Can you freeze this pound cake?
This cake freezes beautifully! I often make two loaf pan cakes and freeze one to have on hand for company or for gifting to a sick friend, etc. You can also freeze slices of this cake. Just layer between wax or parchment paper and store in a well sealed, airtight container.
Tips for serving Granny’s pound cake:
Serve thick slices with fruit, ice cream, whipped cream or anything you have on hand. One of our favorite toppings is a big dollop of homemade lemon curd. Sometimes all you need it a little dusting of powdered sugar! Don’t forget to try a slice in the toaster 🙂
Don’t forget to share with someone you love, or several special someones. This cake serves a bunch!
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PRINT THE RECIPE!
Granny's Pound Cake
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Yield: 12
Course: Cake, Dessert
Perfect every time - great toasted or served with fruit. Also freezes beautifully
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup Parkay margarine, room temperature
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups cake flour, sifted after measuring
- 6 Jumbo eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease and flour (or use Baking Pam) a large (12 cup) Bundt pan or two loaf pans. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, margarine, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the sugar and beat until very light and fluffy.
- Alternate adding eggs and flour. Beat only until the yolks disappear and all flour is incorporated. Do not over-beat.
- Bake at 300°F for 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool 30 minutes before removing from the pan.
Recipe Notes
This recipe has also been tested multiple times using all butter (unsalted only) instead of the margarine and butter combo. The cake bakes more quickly when made with just butter and is a little darker around the edges. IMPORTANT: If using all butter instead of margarine, reduce the baking time to 90 minutes.
If you don't have jumbo eggs, use 7 large eggs.
My mother-in-law never added salt or flavorings but I've been adding 1 tablespoon vanilla to the recipe as well as 1/2 teaspoon salt, if using unsalted butter.
Here are a few more Pound Cake Recipes you might enjoy:
- Perfect Every Time – Almond Pound Cake
- Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake
- Chocolate Pound Cake
- Blueberry-Lemon Icebox Cake
- Easy Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake
- Mini Coconut Pound Cakes
This is my favorite Bundt pan for making delicious pound cakes! (Click the photo for more information)
The small print: If you decide to purchase something at Amazon after following my affiliate link, I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog.
Enjoy!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Alyse says
I know this post is old so idk if you will even see this, but I love this recipe! When I was younger and living with my grandparents, I thought pound cakes were so boring. I wanted icing and sprinkles and all the sugar. But now a perfect pound cake is my ultimate dessert (I’m even thinking of mini Bundt cakes for my daughter’s first birthday).
This time I added a 1/4 tsp of almond and a 1/4 tsp of coconut extracts like I do with my cupcakes. It’s in the oven now and it smells amazing. Thank you so much for sharing!
Tricia Buice says
Hi Alyse! Thanks so much for this lovely comment. It’s funny how our tastes change over the years. A good pound cake is a beautiful thing and I love the addition of coconut extract. Thank you for making this cake. It’s a keeper! Happy baking 🙂
Barbara carstarphen says
Tricia do you need to put salt and baking power in the cake flour
Tricia Buice says
Hi Barbara. We do not put salt and baking powder in this cake but you are free to if desired. This is the way my mother-in-law made it, so that’s what I did too. However I know a little salt would be a nice add-in especially if using unsalted butter, but the baking powder is not necessary. Happy baking and thanks for the great question!
Peggy wallace says
I have a recipe for pound cake. When it calls for instance 3 cups of flour to be sifted after you sift 3 times then measure your 3 cups.
kae says
I’ve made this many times…delicious. thank you for sharing your recipe. I would like to add peaches to it. Do you think that would work, or would I have to adjust the recipe? Thank you.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Kae. I’ve never tried adding a moist fruit like peaches to a pound cake, but I think it would be worth a try. I would bake the recipe in two loaf pans and try the peaches in only one, so you don’t waste a lot of ingredients. Toss the diced peaches in a little flour before folding into the batter. Enjoy – it sounds terrific!
Needia says
Hi, do you preheat the oven or start with cold oven?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Needia – preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. Enjoy!
Wanda Kwomo says
My go to pound cake..never fails and always a hit!!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks for the feedback Wanda! So glad you enjoyed it too 😉
Diedre Smith says
Hi Tricia,
My husband’s granny passed away one week ago at 99 years old. Her pound cake was legendary, though never documented. From what I remember when I watched her make it, your recipe is the closest. And it’s called Granny’s Pound Cake, so maybe that’s the real secret—it has to come from Granny. It’s in the oven now so I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for posting and giving the credit to Granny.
Tricia Buice says
So sorry to hear about your MIL Diedre. What a blessing she was with you for such a long life! I hope this cake was just what you were searching for. Can’t wait to hear how you liked it! Thanks for giving it a try.
Eva says
Hi! Have you ever used a flour blend? IE., almond flour combined with a cake flour? I chose almond flour for texture and moisture it provides. Also, my cakes (pound cake) are not brown (I use a bunt /tube pan) after taking from oven and turning right side up…please advise.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Eva. No I have not used a flour blend. I love almond flour and have used it successfully in many baked goods. Are you saying that you made this recipe and it did not turn brown like mine, or that other recipes you have tried in the past don’t brown well? I am happy to help if I can!
Gloria says
Easy cake to make! I added pure vanilla extract and I always add salt when baking with unsalted butter. Baked it for 95minutes because it’s dense and because oven temps vary. To be safe use toothpick test. other than it sticking to the pan around the middle, the cake turned out wonderfully.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks so much for the feedback Gloria. Love your adaptations 🙂 Thanks for giving it a try!
Bianca says
I assume when you say you use “all butter” you’re referring to replacing only the margarine…not the cream cheese also. Is this correct, or are you truly using one pound of butter.
Your photo looks so similar to mine, but I’ve been having problems getting it to rise like I used to, and I’m thinking it’s the eggs. I don’t see jumbo eggs as much as I used to. And thanks the the tip about the top crust separating and the cake falling slightly. I’m going to try bearing the eggs and then asking them to the mixture to keep from over mixing.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Bianca – You are correct about substituting butter for the margarine – not the cream cheese. I recently picked up a different brand of eggs from another grocery store I don’t usually visit. I made a cake that completely flopped because the egg white were so runny – I couldn’t believe what a difference it made. I picked up my normal eggs and the cake was a success. If you can’t find jumbo eggs, I would use 7 large eggs. Good luck and thanks for the feedback – I’ll check the recipe to make sure it is easy to understand.
Elaine says
Hi Tricia,
Thank you for sharing your grandmother’s pound cake recipe. Seeing the texture of the cake, from the picture, drew me to viewing the recipe.
Tricia Buice says
Hope you’ll give it a try Elaine!
Tony says
Can I use coconut oil instead of butter and margarine? If yes, would it be total of 1.5 cup? Does the bake time and temperature vary?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Tony. I really don’t know if this will work. I’ve never tried substituting coconut oil for all the fat in a recipe. Not sure it the whole cake would be more crisp on the exterior. I would be interested to hear how it turns out if you try it. Good luck.
Tameka says
Hello, what happens to the cake if you dont sift the flour?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Tameka – great question. Nothing bad will happen if you don’t sift the flour in this recipe. If the recipe calls for you to measure already sifted flour, that would make a big difference. However, sifting flour adds air and lightness to cakes and baked goods. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t, but it may be more dense. Click HERE to read a good article about when and why we sift 🙂
Joy Boddie says
Does your husband like it better with your revisions or his mom’s original recipe?????????
Tricia Buice says
Great question Joy – he said he likes them both. I guess that’s him being politically correct 😉 Personally, I’m very fond of the margarine version. It’s bakes up lighter, even though it takes longer in the oven. I never have margarine on hand, only butter. So in a perfect world I would say make the one with the combination of margarine and butter, use jumbo eggs and add plenty of vanilla 🙂 Hope that helps.
barb says
love your site !!!!!!I like pound cakes && I collect pound cake recipes–
keed posted them
Tricia Buice says
Absolutely Barb – me too! Hope you get the chance to try a few 🙂
Shoshi says
My cake over flowed in bundt?
Tricia Buice says
I’m sorry – you have to use the biggest, 12-cup bundt pan. Double check the recipe I believe I noted that in the instructions. Hope you were able to salvage part of it. If you only have a smaller bundt pan, bake part of the batter in a loaf pan next time. Or try to cut the recipe in half. Sorry you had trouble.
Jennifer says
Hi Tricia, if I cut down on the amount of sugar, will the recipe still work and have the same texture? How much sugar can I reduce it by? Thanks so much!
Tricia Buice says
Hi Jennifer. I think it’s fine to cut down on the sugar, but I have not tested it and can’t be sure the texture will be the same. Remember that sugar becomes liquid so the cake may end up dry. I would think up to 1/2 cup may work, but again I cannot be sure without testing. If you decide to reduce the sugar by say 1/2 cup, I would also reduce the flour by 1/4 cup. Just a thought. Good luck!
Tonia A says
Hi Tricia, I absolutely love this recipe. I have made this cake several times this year with great success. Lately, I’ve been having a problem with the cake sticking to the pan. That’s never happened before. I’m using the same pan and same ingredients. I even bought a new pan and I’m getting the same results. PLEASE HELP!
Tricia Buice says
Hi Tonia. I have been thinking about your question and am not really sure why this is happening. Are you greasing and flouring the pan yourself or using a baking spray? If using the spray canned stuff, I would make sure to spray the pan just before adding the batter. If greasing yourself, make sure each of the crevasses are well floured. Could it be a change in humidity or something off with your oven? As stated in the post, I’ve been making this for 30 years or more. I seem to remember having a problem like that once, but not with any consistency. I purchased a really Nordic bundt pan and have never had problems with it. It’s a non stick pan but I still grease and flour it anyway. Here’s a link to the pan I use – NORDIC WARE PRO CAKE PAN -12 CUP. I am very sorry you’re having problems. I would keep trying and make sure it is cooled a little longer before removing from the pan. I recently posted another version of this cake – PERFECT EVERY TIME ALMOND POUND CAKE. I also did a blueberry lemon version HERE. Thanks again for your comment and feedback. I hope the issue resolves itself soon. Southern living has a great article about how to make the perfect pound cake. It addresses mixing, etc. I’ve always found it helpful. You can find that article HERE. Thanks again and good luck – hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Gemma says
I have also made this pound cake for my nephew many times. I sometimes get a line through the batter, don’t know what causes this. I use all butter and extra large or jumbo eggs. The texture varies, I wonder if I am not beating the eggs long enough, I add them 1 at a time as per my recipe.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Gemma. I always make sure to beat the butter and sugar very well, but only mix the eggs until the yolk disappears. So I don’t think it is under-beating the eggs. This recipe makes a lot of batter so be sure you are scraping the bowl very well, digging up from the bottom to make sure all ingredients are incorporated … top to bottom. When you over-beat the eggs, it may cause the cake to have a crust that separates and the batter to sink. Hope that makes sense and hope it helps. Take care and thanks for reading SRFD!
Staci says
Does the baking time vary if using 2 loaf pans instead of the large Bundt pan? If yes, then what the baking time?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Staci – I do not vary the cooking time if divided into loaf pans. It has worked for me but if you want to check about 15 minutes early, that may be the safe route to take. Good question – thanks for reading and for trying the recipe!
Marguerite says
This is almost my pound cake recipe that everyone LOVES!! I had not heard of alternating 1egg and some flour, just add the eggs one at a time beating after each. I do sift my cake flour, and I add 1 Tbsp of vanilla and 1 1/2 -2 tsps of butter nut flavoring and 3 sticks of butter. My recipe calls for starting in a cold oven 325 for 90 mins. I shared one with my Aunt Ethel one time that ended up with a sad spot and when my cousin Barry had a piece he said look she uses Grandma’s recipe! Sweet memory of family. Happy baking!
Tricia Buice says
I’ve always made it the way my mother-in-law did and everybody loves it too. These must be old recipes! Thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting!
donna says
If I like I can add flavoring
Tricia Buice says
Sure Donna – almond or vanilla – even orange would be great! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Dee says
I will try your recipe.
markell says
Is the butter salted or unsalted? Or does it matter?
Tricia Buice says
I don’t think it matters – I have used both. Over the last 6 years or so I went to just unsalted butter. For years prior to that time I used salted. No worries!
Markell cash says
One last question. Is the oven to be preheated, or not preheated?
Tricia Buice says
Preheated. I’ll check my recipe 🙂
Markell cash says
I’m sorry yo bother you on the 4th of july. But I was trying to make the cake and while getting the ingredients I got crisco margarine, not knowing what parkay was. Is that fine or no?
Tricia Buice says
I’ve not heard of Crisco Margarine – but if it’s margarine then I think it will be fine. If it is butter flavored Crisco – probably not. I think this cake will also work well with all butter. Sorry to be late in getting back with you – I haven’t been near my computer during the last day or so. Hope it turned out well for you and that you had a lovely July 4th!
Jennie says
Thank you for your awesome recipes. I search your site weekly. So many great recipes. I have given this recipe for “Granny’s pound cake “ to my daughter. She only has handheld mixer. Will this work for a pound cake?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Jennie. Absolutely yes it will work with a hand mixer. Just make sure you don’t over-mix when adding the eggs and dry ingredients. Thank you for being one of our regular readers! Let me know if you have any questions or are looking for something special. Enjoy 🙂
Anonymous says
Hi can you please tell me what 1 stick equals in grams for us Assie cooks
Tricia Buice says
Yes I can! One stick of butter equals – 8 tablespoons, or 1/2 cup or 113.5 grams!
Anonymous says
This cake has no kind of flavoring or extract??
Tricia Buice says
That is correct – the original recipe never called for vanilla or anything so this is how I always make it. We never missed the extracts but feel free to add your favorite – I don't think you would mess it up – maybe just make it better. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
Has anyone tried this delicious looking pound cake with all butter and no margarine?<br />Please reply with your results. I love pound cake, too, and this fine-textured one looks like the gold standard of pound cakes. My current favorite is "Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake", but this looks like a contender!
Tricia Buice says
Not that I know of – I always do the mixture of butter and margarine. Hope it turned out well!
Paris Chic says
I was going to ask the same thing. I won't eat margarine. I'll try it with just butter and see what happens 🙂
Rose Ware says
Hi, I have used three sticks of butter, no margarine, perfect every time.
Angie says
I stumbled upon your blog through Tasty Kitchen. I am in love with this pound cake. I am going after the ingredients tomorrow.
Lisa says
That pound cake looks delicious, so golden and dense. This would be perfect with a dollop of whipped cream on it. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog called "Sweets for a Saturday" and I'd like to invite you to stop by and link your cake up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com
Brenda says
Ok – I made the pound cake! It wasn't very hard and it is delicious!! the pan I used was evidently kinda small so it overflowed… 🙁 but it still tastes good. I will make it again with a different pan. Thanks! Look on my FB site to see my photos.
KH says
Can large eggs be used instead of jumbo? If yes, how many large eggs in the place of 6 jumbo eggs? Will using large eggs change the taste of the cake?
Tricia Buice says
I am not sure how large eggs will change the cake because I have not tested it. However, if using “large” (not “extra-large”) I would add one more egg to the recipe. If using extra-large I would just leave it the same. Eggs vary in size anyway – I don’t think it will turn out bad at all. Good luck – hope you love it as much as we do 🙂
Dorothy says
hello I was reading the recipe this cake doesn’t require any flavor?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Dorothy – no vanilla or anything but you are welcome to add some. This was the way my mother-in-law made it and we love it as is. However, I have tweaked the recipe a bit and republished with my changes HERE – https://www.savingdessert.com/perfect-every-time-almond-pound-cake/ either one is great but I adore almond flavoring so the updated recipe is my favorite. You can use all butter and add 2 teaspoons vanilla if you want and it will be terrific! Thanks so much for asking. Hope you give it a try.
Mary says
Tricia, this is an absolutely gorgeous pound cake. I'm new to your blog but have been browsing through some of your earlier entries. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Rich says
That's a great story about Eliza! It really puts things in perspective when I think about how old I'm getting – she's seen a lot more than I could even imagine!<br /><br />And this pound cake looks fantastic; I can imagine it brightening anyone's day!
Brenda says
Tom loves Pound Cake!! I think this will be the 1st thing I make. Just need to get the cake flour next time I get groceries. Can't wait to make it!
Lori W says
I made it 2 x with regular u bleached flour. I sifted it 4x. It worked beautifully. Just as beautiful as my grandmothers pound cake!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you so much Lori – I have often wondered how it would work with unbleached flour in place of the cake flour. Good to know and thank you for commenting and for being a reader – this is awesome!
Janice says
Hello, can 10x sugar be used instead of granulated?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Janice. I would not make this substitution. Granulated sugar melts when heated, as do other sugars. However 10x, powdered or confectioners sugar would not melt the same nor would it equal the same amount of liquid as granulated. I have not tested this and would be afraid to waste all that butter if it didn’t turn out. If you give it a go anyway, let us know how it turns out for you! Thanks
Jennifer says
My cake fell in the middle. Any baking powder?
Tricia Buice says
Hi Jennifer. I’ve never added baking powder to this recipe but you are welcome to. Pound cakes do not require leavening but I know some people add it anyway. Did you bake this in a loaf pan? Sometimes cakes will fall in the middle if they were over-beaten, adding too much air to the batter. Here’s a link to an article that I’ve always found helpful for Tips for Baking a Perfect Pound Cake from Southern Living. Good luck and sorry you had trouble.