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Swans Down Pound Cake Recipe

4.9 from 92 reviews

This classic Swans Down Pound Cake recipe yields a moist, tender, and buttery pound cake perfect for any occasion. Made with Swans Down Cake Flour for a delicate crumb, this cake features subtle hints of vanilla and almond extracts, making it a timeless dessert favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 cups sifted Swans Down Cake Flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup milk, whole or low-fat
  • 2 cups white granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for even baking.
  2. Prepare Pan: Grease and lightly flour a 10-inch tube pan to prevent the cake from sticking during baking.
  3. Sift Flour: Sift the Swans Down Cake Flour to remove lumps and aerate it, then carefully measure out 3 cups for accurate baking.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add the white granulated sugar, beating until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in texture.
  5. Sift Dry Ingredients Together: Sift the already sifted cake flour along with the baking powder and salt to combine evenly.
  6. Add Eggs: Add eggs to the creamed butter mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure proper emulsification.
  7. Combine Flour Mixture and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture alternately with milk and extracts (vanilla and almond), mixing gently until smooth after each addition. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
  8. Pour Batter: Pour the prepared batter into the greased and floured tube pan evenly.
  9. Bake Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool in Pan: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes on a wire rack to set.
  11. Remove and Cool Completely: Remove the cake from the pan and allow it to cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dry cake.
  • Use a toothpick to test doneness; it should come out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely for easier slicing and better flavor development.
  • Swans Down Cake Flour is preferred for its fine texture and low protein content, yielding a softer crumb.

Keywords: Swans Down Pound Cake, classic pound cake, baking, dessert, cake flour, vanilla almond cake