Today I present to you, the 5 Ingredient Pound Cake— Simple, buttery, and irresistibly moist. This timeless treat has been a staple in home baking for generations, known for its rich flavor and dense yet tender crumb. Traditionally made with just four basic ingredients—flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. But the pound cake has evolved with modern techniques to truly become an icon in the baking world.
But a delicious pound cake doesn’t have to be complicated! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a rich, buttery, and perfectly moist pound cake that tastes like it came straight from a bakery. Pound cake has been a beloved classic for centuries, originally named for its traditional recipe of a pound each of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. While modern versions have been refined, the heart of this cake remains the same—simple ingredients that come together to create a delectable dessert.
One of the best things about this 5 ingredient pound cake is how easy it is to customize! You can add a burst of flavor by mixing in citrus zest, like lemon or orange, or swapping vanilla extract for almond or coconut extract. If you love a little crunch, fold in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds. For a fruity twist, try swirling in berry puree, adding dried fruit, or layering fresh fruit slices on top before baking. Toppings and glazes also make a big difference—drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze, a rich chocolate ganache, or even a tangy lemon icing. You can also turn your pound cake into a decadent dessert by serving it with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a scoop of ice cream. With so many ways to customize, you can make a new variation every time you bake!
Ingredients
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- Self-Rising Flour— 1-3/4 cups
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- Light or Dark Brown Sugar— 1 cup
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- 3 Eggs
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- Sour Cream— 1/2 cup
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- Salt— 1/2 teaspoon
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- Browned Butter— 3/4 cup
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- Vanilla Extract— 1 teaspoon
What You’ll Need
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- Large Mixing Bowl
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- 8×4 Loaf Pan
How to Make a 5 Ingredient Pound Cake
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- First, preheat oven to 350F or 177C.
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- In a mixing bowl whisk together the butter and sugar until smooth.
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- Stir in sour cream then mix in the eggs, stirring them in one at a time. Then stir in salt and vanilla extract.
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- Next, mix in the flour then fold batter until there are no more white streaks, but be careful not to overmix.
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- Pour the batter in a parchment lined or well greased loaf pan.
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- Place in the oven to bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack then slice and enjoy.
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