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August 11, 2020 Cake

Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake

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This classic Southern Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake is a summer tradition. Its rich, moist, buttery with the most tender crumb thanks to addition of tangy buttermilk. This elegant summertime staple will surely be the star of the show.

pound cake sliced in half on white surface

I don’t know about any one else, but pound cakes are my love language. There’s something magical about butter, sugar, flour, and eggs coming together to create a rich, buttery, decadent slice of heaven. Add a little buttermilk and you really have something special. This classic vanilla buttermilk pound cake is a Southern delicacy. Not a summer would go by without this cake gracing my family’s table. Often served with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream because no other flavor will do. To really understand the beauty of this cake, one has to look at the wonder that is buttermilk.

What is buttermilk

Firstly, buttermilk is and always will be a staple in the Southern kitchen. This rich, tangy, thick liquid does it all!! Its versatility allows it to not only be used in sweet and savory dishes, but it also serves as a refreshing beverage. Traditionally, buttermilk was the liquid left behind after churning butter from cultured cream. The liquid was left to sit for a period of time to allow the cream and milk to separate. The result? the formation of cultures that develop naturally when cream is left at room temperature for a long period of time. Cultures allowed the buttermilk to be used for a longer period of time than milk.

Today, buttermilk is no longer the by-product of cultured cream. Instead, cultures are added to fresh pasteurized milk. Although the method of making buttermilk has changed, you can still rely on thick, creamy goodness that not only gives you the most tender cake, but also, has a multitude of benefits!!

Buttermilk Benefits:

  • Lasts long in the fridge, even after the best by date!!
  • Its good for you!! Probiotics and active cultures help improve gut health
  • Helps leaven baked goods
  • It’s packed with protein

Ingredients for Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake

  • ingredients for vanilla buttermilk pound cake on a gray surface

You only need nine ingredients!!

  • Butter – To give you that richness you know and love
  • Granulated sugar – Granulated sugar will help to sweeten your cake to perfection and also add moisture
  • Eggs – You only need four, make sure they are at room temperature
  • Vanilla extract – To provide that rich, classic vanilla flavor. I mean you can’t have a cake without pure vanilla extract!!
  • Buttermilk – Buttermilk is the star of this cake. Not only does it add moisture to ensure a tender crumb, but it also provides the most luxurious texture. I recommend whole buttermilk for this recipe
  • Flour – Make sure you sift all your dry ingredients together. You want to make sure you distribute all your dry ingredients and get rid of any of those clumps
  • Baking powder and baking soda – We use both baking powder and baking soda to help leaven this cake and ensure a good rise!!
  • Salt – We use salt to balance out the sweetness

Tips for making the BEST pound cake

I feel like I can wax poetic all day long about buttermilk but now its time to get down to what you’ve all been waiting for, the cake. We have already established that buttermilk will help give you the most tender crumb. But there are other factors that need to be followed to ensure you get that perfect slice every time.

  • Always make sure you start with room temperature ingredients!! This is the number one rule in baking period!!
  • Make sure you cream your butter and sugar for the appropriate amount of time. This allows air bubbles to be incorporated into the mixture which will help leaven your batter. Your butter should increase in volume and become pale.
  • Make sure you add your eggs one at a time and beat until they are incorporated.
  • When adding flour, mix only until combined. Meaning stop when you no longer see white streaks!! You don’t want to over mix your batter.
  • After incorporating the last batch of flour, I like to take a large spatula and do at least 5 strokes by hand to make sure everything is incorporated. You don’t want to see flour at the bottom of your mixing bowl!!
  • Generously grease your pan. You want your cake to slide out smoothly and not stick to the pan. I love this Nordic Ware Heavyweight Angel Food Cake Pan
  • After pouring your batter into your pan, drop it a few inches from the kitchen counter to get rid of any air bubbles and to distribute your batter evenly.
  • Only allow your cake to rest in the tube pan for 10 minutes. You don’t want it sticking to the pan. I mean I would eat it but still, you want that beautiful finish so you can show it off!!

How to serve Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake

First of all, there’s no wrong way to dress up this cake. Berries with whipped cream are always a good idea. My favorite will always and forever be ice cream. There’s nothing better than slightly melted ice cream and a huge piece of cake to soak it up!! Or you can always go old school and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a glaze. Either way you choose I guarantee it will be good!!

How to store

This cake is its best at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Make sure to store in a cool location. Honestly, I don’t think it will last that long but if it does, you can always freeze it!! Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Place in a freezer friendly bag for up to three months. Make sure to defrost before eating.

Summer is fleeting. So make this cake. Make it for yourself, make it for those you love!!

whole vanilla buttermilk pound cake with wax paper underneath on a white surface
Sliced vanilla buttermilk pound cake with crumbs on white surface
Slice of cake on a white plate
Print Recipe
4.5 from 8 votes

Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake

This classic Southern pound cake is a summer tradition. Rich, moist, buttery with the most tender crumb thanks to addition of tangy buttermilk. This elegant summertime staple will surely be the star of the show.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Resting Time10 mins
Total Time1 hr 30 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: old fashioned recipes, pound cake, pound cake recipes
Servings: 12
Calories: 406kcal
Author: Lauren

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup unsalted butter, softened 2 sticks
  • 2 Cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs large
  • 1 Cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 Cups sifted all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Instructions

To make the cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously spray a 10-inch tube pan with baking spray with flour.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream softened butter and granulated sugar at medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy, stopping to scape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition
  • Add vanilla extract
  • In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Sift again
  • Add flour mixture alternatively with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Be sure not to over mix!! Pour batter into prepared greased 10-inch tube pan.
  • Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Or until cake tester comes out clean and cake bounces back when lightly pressed. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert and remove from pan. Let cake cool completely on a wire rack. Garnish with confectioners’ sugar or glaze if desired.

Notes

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @vintage_confections on Instagram!!

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal

Categories: Cake Tags: buttermilk, buttermilk pound cake, pound cake

Next Post: Old fashioned Coca Cola Cake recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deepika says

    August 11, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Congrats on the blog Lauren! It looks terrific! So happy for you! I look forward to coming here often for all your recipes!🤗

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Southern Lemon Pound Cake - Vintage Confections says:
    September 7, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    […] more tips on how to create the perfect pound cake, be sure to check out my Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake […]

    Reply
  2. Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze - Vintage Confections says:
    November 5, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    […] love for bundt cakes. They are easy to make and the flavor options are endless. Just check out my Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cake and Southern Lemon Pound Cake!! They are the ultimate comfort dessert. Plus they have that elegant […]

    Reply

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About Me

Hey there I'm Lauren!! Welcome to my little Southern corner of the internet!! Here you will find my love of vintage recipes and re imagined classics. My love for cake, Southern cuisine, and food stories runs strong. I hope we can bake and create new memories and traditions together. After all life is too short not to share something sweet!!

Recent Posts

  • 7 UP Cake Recipe
  • Classic Gingerbread Cake
  • Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies
  • The Best Ever Cowboy Cookies
  • Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze

vintage_confections

Classic desserts made with fresh ingredients that bring you back to your childhood
https://vcsweets.net/pumpkin-spice-bundt-cake-with-maple-glaze/

Lauren | Vintage Confections
Because I forever want to be the girl that brings Because I forever want to be the girl that brings you old Southern cakes made with carbonated beverages, this 7 UP cake shouldn’t come as a surprise. Light and refreshing with that tart lemon lime combo, one slice (ok maybe two) is all you need to get you through Tuesday and beyond. Recipe on the blog!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@feedfeed @thebakefeed @food52 @foodtographyschool
I had a awesome cake lined up for you this week bu I had a awesome cake lined up for you this week but then a pipe burst in my apartment and had other plans. Life you know. But these cowboy cookies are on the blog and ready for you so go make them and think of me when you take that first bite!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#thesugarfiles⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@feedfeed @thebakefeed @food52 @foodtographyschool
Happy New Year!! Anyone else feel like the holiday Happy New Year!! Anyone else feel like the holidays were here for two minutes then gone? I’m currently dreaming up all of the yummy bakes for this year. But until then, give this old fashioned cocoa cola cake a try. I promise you, it will be the best thing to get you out of your post holiday slump.
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https://vcsweets.net/old-fashioned-coca-cola-cake-recipe/
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@feedfeed @thebakefeed @food52 @foodtographyschool
Citrus season is here so I think we should all cel Citrus season is here so I think we should all celebrate by making this southern lemon pound cake!! You know you want it. Recipe on the blog!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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https://vcsweets.net/southern-lemon-pound-cake/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@feedfeed @thebakefeed @food52 @foodtographyschool
Merry Christmas Eve friends!! It’s cold, the gif Merry Christmas Eve friends!! It’s cold, the gifts are wrapped and under the tree, and the egg nog is flowing. The only thing missing from your life is this classic gingerbread cake. Eat it plain, top it with whip, mascarpone, or ice cream. You can’t go wrong. I hope you are enjoying your holidays however you choose to celebrate. I’m finally on vaycay from the hospital and I can’t wait to relax and bake alllll the things!! Are you baking anything special? Tell me 👇🏾 I wanna know. Love you and I appreciate you being here ❤️. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@feedfeed @thebakefeed @food52 @foodtographyschool
Pumpkin loaf three ways is one of the many beautif Pumpkin loaf three ways is one of the many beautiful bakes you’ll find in my good friend @kelsey_thefarmersdaughter cookbook The Farmer’s Daughter Bakes. Kelsey’s book is filled with beautifully crafted desserts, each dedicated to the bounty of its season. And every recipe is accompanied by a charming food story and awe inspiring imagery. This pumpkin loaf with cinnamon sugar was my first bake from Kelsey’s book but I can tell you it won’t be my last!! I’m not one to cancel pumpkin just because it’s no longer Thanksgiving.  This pumpkin loaf is super moist and perfectly spiced. Just look at that crackly top!! I know it will be a recipe I will continue to make many years to come. So run to Kelsey’s blog and order a copy of her amazing cookbook to gift yourself or the baker in your life. And then you can to, like me, wish you lived on a farm. 
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#farmersdaughterbakes #fallingfortheharvest #pumpkin #cinnamonsugar #holidaybaking 
@kelsey_thefarmersdaughter
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Hey there!! I'm Lauren. Born and raised Texan and pound cake enthusiast. I love my tea sweet, vintage family recipes, singing to the 90s at the top of my lungs, and making pretty food.

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