If you’ve ever dreamed of a cake that is rich, buttery, and melts in your mouth with every bite, then the Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe is exactly what you need in your baking repertoire. This classic Southern dessert is simple in its ingredients but delivers a complex depth of flavor and an irresistibly moist texture that makes it feel like a true indulgence. Whether it’s for a family gathering or just a special treat on a quiet afternoon, this cake never fails to impress and satisfy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe, you’ll use classic pantry staples that come together beautifully to create a moist texture, a tender crumb, and a rich, buttery flavor. Each ingredient plays a vital role, ensuring the cake is perfectly balanced and deliciously decadent.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for a dense yet tender crumb.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Adds just a touch of lift, making the pound cake light enough without losing its signature density.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moisture, creating that classic buttery flavor.
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening: Helps keep the cake moist with a soft texture that butter alone can’t achieve.
- 3 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly while promoting that beautiful golden crust.
- 6 large eggs: Adds moisture, richness, and helps bind everything together.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the buttery base.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Ensures a tender crumb and creamy texture that’s pure indulgence with every bite.
How to Make Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). While the oven warms up, grease and flour a 10-inch bundt or tube pan. This step is crucial so your cake releases easily after baking, preserving its gorgeous shape.
Step 2: Sift Dry Ingredients Together
Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then sift them together. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and salt, promoting a consistent texture throughout your cake.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Shortening, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vegetable shortening, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes and is what gives this cake its famously tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract next to infuse the batter with its warm, inviting aroma.
Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Heavy Cream
Now, gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the heavy cream. Always start and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which keeps your cake moist and tender.
Step 6: Pour Batter Into Pan and Bake
Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Place it in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when the cake is perfectly done.
Step 7: Cool the Cake
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes. This step allows it to set slightly for easy removal. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess on the bottom.
Step 8: Slice and Enjoy
Once the cake has cooled, slice it into generous pieces. The Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe shines on its own but can also be jazzed up with toppings like powdered sugar or fresh berries to make each serving a little more special.
How to Serve Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe
Garnishes
This cake is absolutely delicious on its own, but you can dress it up with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a handful of berries to add a bright contrast and lovely texture. A drizzle of honey or a swirl of fruit compote also pairs wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a cup of rich coffee or a glass of cold milk to balance the cake’s sweetness. For a decadent dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a side of fresh fruit salad to lighten the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, consider slicing and layering the pound cake with mascarpone and fresh fruit for an elegant trifle. You can also cut it into cubes and toast them slightly as cake croutons for an intriguing crunch in salads or parfaits.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 3 days, ready to satisfy any sweet cravings.
Freezing
If you want to keep the cake for longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. Properly stored, the cake can last for up to 3 months without losing its rich texture and flavor.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and warm slices gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a low oven before serving to recapture that freshly baked feel.
FAQs
Can I substitute anything in the Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe?
While the recipe calls for specific ingredients to achieve its perfect texture and flavor, you can substitute vegetable shortening with all butter for a richer taste, though it might alter the cake’s softness slightly. Heavy cream can be swapped with full-fat buttermilk for a tangier profile.
Why does the cake take so long to bake?
Pound cake is dense and moist, requiring a longer baking time at a moderate temperature to cook evenly all the way through without drying the edges. This slow bake allows the flavors to fully develop.
What makes this cake a Million Dollar Pound Cake?
The combination of butter, shortening, heavy cream, and the generous sugar content creates a luxuriously moist and rich cake that feels like a million bucks in flavor and satisfaction.
Can I make this recipe in a loaf pan instead of a bundt pan?
Absolutely! A loaf pan works fine but you will need to adjust baking time, likely shortening it to around 65–75 minutes. Keep an eye on the cake and test doneness with a toothpick.
Is it better to use salted or unsalted butter?
Using unsalted butter is best since it allows you to control the salt content precisely. Since the recipe already includes salt, this ensures the flavors balance perfectly without being too salty.
Final Thoughts
This Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe is a timeless classic that never fails to bring smiles and happy compliments around the table. With its luscious texture and rich buttery flavor, it’s the kind of cake you’ll want to make again and again, for every celebration or those just-because moments. Trust me, once you try it, this pound cake will quickly become your go-to dessert favorite to share with friends and family.
Print
Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Million Dollar Pound Cake is a luscious, rich dessert featuring a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and a tender crumb. Made with a blend of unsalted butter and vegetable shortening, it results in an irresistibly moist texture. The cake is enhanced with vanilla extract and heavy cream, baked to golden perfection in a bundt pan, making it ideal for special occasions or indulgent treats.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt or tube pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter, Shortening, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter, vegetable shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is essential for aeration and cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Cream: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with heavy cream. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined to prevent overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating that it is fully baked.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely, preserving its delicate texture.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy this decadent pound cake on its own, or optionally dust it with powdered sugar, or serve with whipped cream and fresh berries for added elegance.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing results.
- If you don’t have a bundt pan, a tube pan or loaf pans may be used, but adjust baking time accordingly.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter after adding the flour to keep the cake tender.
- This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For an extra touch, serve with fresh fruit or a drizzle of glaze.
