Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter
A moist and tender vanilla pound cake made with melted butter and mixed by hand for a simple, old-fashioned dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers granulated sugar, large eggs, vanilla extract into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks), melted and cooled unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup melted unsalted butter until smooth.
- Step 3: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with 1/4 cup whole milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing gently after each addition until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 7: Bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Step 8: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hand-Mixed Vanilla Pound Cake with Melted Butter?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
