Recipes for pound cake have been passed down through generations, with each baker adding their own unique twist to this classic dessert. At its core, a pound cake is a simple cake made with one pound each of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. This ratio of ingredients results in a dense, moist cake with a fine crumb. Pound cakes can be flavored with various ingredients, such as vanilla, lemon, or chocolate, and can be baked in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Pound cake is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century. The cake was originally called “pound” or “pounder” cake because it was made with one pound of each of the four main ingredients. Pound cake quickly became a popular dessert in England and was eventually brought to the American colonies by English settlers.