Pound cake batter

Pound cake batter is the rich mixture behind the classic loaf. A standard dictionary describes pound cake as a rich cake containing a pound, or equal weights, of each chief ingredient, typically flour, butter and sugar. A professional baking text adds that it was made of flour, sugar, butter and eggs in equal parts.

Over time bakers reduced the sugar, fat and eggs and added milk to compensate, which led to the modern butter cake. The batter is typically made by creaming the butter and sugar, beating in the eggs, and then adding the flour.

The result is a thick, smooth batter that bakes into a fine, tight crumb with a buttery flavor. It is dense compared with sponge batters and holds up well to being sliced, toasted or served with fruit.