One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender, moist vanilla pound cake made in one bowl with melted butter and a touch of cornstarch for a delicate crumb. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder 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 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 60 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until combined. Add 3 large eggs and 2 tsp vanilla extract, mixing well.
  3. Step 3: Gradually add 1/2 cup whole milk while stirring until the batter is smooth and thick. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake?

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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake?

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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake 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 One-Bowl Moist Vanilla Pound Cake?

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.