Poundcake

Poundcake is a type of cake traditionally made with a pound of each of four ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. The pound cake is a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine but it is also known in other regions.

History

The origins of the pound cake lie in Northern Europe and date back to the early 18th century. The name comes from the simple ratio used for the ingredients, a pound each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. This made the cake easy to remember and it was a popular recipe in home baking for many years.

Variations

There are numerous variations of the pound cake with different countries and regions having their own versions. For example, in France, the pound cake is known as quatre-quarts, which means four quarters. In Mexico, the cake is often flavored with vanilla or almond extract.

Preparation

The traditional method of preparation involves creaming the butter and sugar together, then adding the eggs one at a time, and finally the flour. The cake is then baked in a moderate oven until it is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Nutritional Information

Pound cake is high in calories due to the large amounts of butter and sugar used in its preparation. It is also high in fat and cholesterol. However, it does provide a source of protein from the eggs and some vitamins and minerals from the flour.

See Also

• Sponge cake
• Butter cake
• Genoise
• Madeira cake