Perfect Poundcake
Ingredients
2 cups unsalted butter at room temp (plus some to grease pan)
3 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs at room temp
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
3 cups cake flour (like King Arthur or Swansdown)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Outrageous Fudge Sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Generously butter and flour one 12-cup bundt pan or two 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer or by hand, cream together the remaining butter and sugar. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and salt.
Gently stir in the flour by hand, adding it very gradually; this will help to keep the cake tender. Add the cream and stir just until thoroughly combined.
Pour the batter into the pan or pans and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a rack to cool completely.
Service with the freshest raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, and a puddle of Outrageous Fudge Sauce!
Tips
The Nordic Ware Heritage Swirled Bundt Pan from Williams Sonoma makes this humble cake look like it came from the best bakery on Madison Avenue.
Be sure to butter and flour the pan meticulously and let the cake cool for a full 10 minutes before un-molding it from the pan.
Take the time to stir the flour in by hand until just combined. This ensures a tender, delicate crumb.