Mile High Pound Cake Recipe

Heavenly Mile High Pound Cake Recipe: Fluffy Sweetness Awaits

A perfectly crafted mile high pound cake can transport you straight to dessert heaven with its incredible height and dense, rich texture.

Butter and sugar blend into a magical foundation that promises pure indulgence.

Soft, tender crumbs promise an irresistible experience that melts in your mouth.

Delicate yet substantial, this classic cake rises like a golden monument of sweet comfort.

Home bakers will find joy in creating this impressive centerpiece that looks professionally designed.

Skilled techniques and quality ingredients turn an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Each slice promises a delectable journey you won’t want to miss.

Pound Cake Height and Moisture Ingredients

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender cake texture, high-quality unsalted butter works best.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy cake structure, granulated white sugar recommended.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Contributes to moisture and dense cake consistency, use full-fat version.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure, fresh large eggs preferred.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the cake's foundation, sifted for smooth texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light, use fresh, active baking powder.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor, pure vanilla extract preferred over imitation.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, fine table salt works well.

Baking Mile High Pound Cake With Confidence

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 300°F.

Generously coat a 10-inch tube pan with butter and flour to ensure the cake won’t stick.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab a large mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until they transform into a light, pillowy mixture.

This should take about 5 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 3: Pour in Creamy Sweetness

Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix thoroughly, creating a silky smooth base for your cake.

Step 4: Introduce the Eggs

Crack eggs one by one into the mixture, giving each a good beating to fully incorporate them into the batter.

Step 5: Splash in Flavor Boosters

Gently stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the cake’s delightful taste.

Step 6: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift flour and baking powder together, creating a cloud-like mixture of dry ingredients.

Step 7: Merge Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.

Step 8: Ready for the Oven

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 2½ to 3 hours.

The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10: Cool and Liberate

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.

Carefully remove from the pan, revealing your mile-high masterpiece.

Pound Cake Tips With High-Rise Texture

  • Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for at least 5 minutes to create an ultra-light, fluffy texture that defines this pound cake.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking, which helps maintain the cake's signature moisture.
  • Check the cake's doneness early to avoid overbaking; start testing at 2 hours with a toothpick for the most tender crumb.
  • Experiment with adding lemon zest or almond extract to create a personalized twist on the classic pound cake recipe.
  • Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain its delectable softness.

Mile High Pound Cake Holds Its Height Overnight

  • Store cooled pound cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Slice cake before freezing, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Remove cake from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, or microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds.
  • Warm slices briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore moisture and bring back the cake's soft texture.

Big Bites With Mile High Pound Cake

  • Pair with Citrus Sorbet: Serve a refreshing lemon or orange sorbet alongside the rich pound cake to cut through its dense sweetness and provide a palate-cleansing contrast.
  • Match with Fortified Wine: Enjoy a glass of sweet sherry or port wine, which complements the cake's buttery flavor and adds a sophisticated depth to the dessert experience.
  • Create a Coffee Companion: Brew a strong espresso or cappuccino to balance the cake's richness, enhancing the overall taste with a robust caffeine kick.
  • Top with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to elevate the pound cake's creamy texture and provide a cool, smooth accompaniment.

Towering Pound Cake Spins

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version that maintains the cake's rich texture and flavor.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free condensed milk substitute to create a lactose-free pound cake.
  • Citrus Infusion: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, refreshing flavor that complements the cake's buttery base.
  • Nutty Crunch: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts to introduce a delightful textural element and extra depth to the traditional pound cake recipe.

FAQs

  • What makes this Mile High Pound Cake different from other pound cakes?

This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk, which adds extra moisture and a rich, dense texture that sets it apart from traditional pound cake recipes.

  • Can I use a different type of pan if I don't have a tube pan?

While a tube pan is recommended for even baking and height, you can use a bundt pan or two standard loaf pans as alternatives. Just adjust baking time accordingly and watch for doneness.

  • Why does the recipe require such a long baking time at a low temperature?

The low and slow baking method helps the cake rise evenly, prevents burning, and ensures a moist, tender crumb throughout the entire cake. This technique is key to achieving the signature “mile high” texture.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make this cake?

You’ll need an electric mixer, a large mixing bowl, a sifter or fine-mesh strainer for dry ingredients, and a 10-inch tube pan. Standard kitchen tools will work perfectly for this recipe.

Mile High Pound Cake Soft And Tall With Rich Crumb

  • Quick Weekend Baker's Delight: Perfect for bakers who want minimal effort with maximum flavor payoff.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Creates a massive, impressive pound cake that serves many people and works great for potlucks or family gatherings.
  • Time-Invested Baking Treasure: Requires longer baking time but delivers an incredibly rich, moist cake with deep, buttery flavors that justify the wait.
  • Foolproof Technique: Uses simple mixing method and straightforward ingredients, making it approachable for both novice and experienced home bakers.
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Mile High Pound Cake Recipe

Mile High Pound Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Mile high pound cake emerges as a celestial dessert that promises pure indulgence. Rich buttery layers rise above classic expectations, offering cake lovers a dreamy slice of southern comfort that will leave you craving another heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4.5 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups granulated white sugar
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by regulating the oven temperature to 300°F and meticulously coating a 10-inch tube pan with grease and flour.
  2. Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter and sugar into a voluminous, airy consistency, continuing until the mixture transforms into a pale, fluffy texture.
  3. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk, blending thoroughly to ensure a uniform, silky mixture.
  4. Integrate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to maintain a smooth, cohesive batter.
  5. Infuse the mixture with vanilla extract and a subtle hint of salt, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
  6. Carefully sift flour and baking powder in a separate vessel, eliminating potential lumps and aerating the dry ingredients.
  7. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using minimal stirring to prevent overworking the batter and maintaining its delicate structure.
  8. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, skillfully smoothing the surface to create an even landscape.
  9. Position the pan in the preheated oven, allowing the cake to bake for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, monitoring until a test probe emerges pristine and unblemished.
  10. Once baked, extract the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before carefully releasing from the pan, revealing a towering, golden-hued confection.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent texture.
  • Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for a lighter, more airy pound cake with exceptional volume.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter after adding flour to prevent a tough, dense cake texture.
  • Consider adding lemon zest or almond extract for a subtle flavor twist that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 31 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 61 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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