Vanilla Pound Cake
Martha Stewart
Prep: 15 minutes Total: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling
Busy times call for easy desserts that have a sweet simplicity, like this rich pound cake that has a hint of vanilla.
Ingredients
Serves 8.
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
* 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
* 1 cup sugar
* 4 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 6-cup (8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch) loaf pan; set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; add vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined (do not overmix).
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour (tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly). Let cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack, and turn upright to cool completely.