A Southern Classic: Black People’s Pound Cake Recipe
There’s something sacred about a good pound cake, especially when it’s Black People’s Pound Cake. This is that soul-food dessert passed from Grandma’s recipe cards to Sunday dinner tables and holiday spreads. Made rich with cream cheese, butter, and flavor-packed extracts, this pound cake delivers moist, tender slices with a buttery crumb—and you better not lose this one.
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Why You’ll Love This Black People’s Pound Cake
This isn’t just a cake—it’s a memory baked into every bite.
- Taste: Buttery, vanilla-forward with a hint of lemon zing.
- Texture: Dense yet tender with a moist, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Versatile: Dress it up with berries and whipped cream, or enjoy it plain with coffee or sweet tea.
- Reliable: This recipe never fails—perfect for gatherings, holidays, or gifting.
You’ll need:
- Butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour
- Vanilla and lemon extract
- A bundt pan or loaf pans
You may also enjoy these soul-soothing dessert classics:
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Necessary Tools for Preparation
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- 10-inch bundt or tube pan
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour your bundt pan thoroughly.
- Cream butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Slowly beat in sugar until light and fluffy—this takes about 4–5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Stir in vanilla and lemon extracts.
- Sift flour and salt together, then gradually add to the batter. Mix just until combined—don’t overmix.
- Pour batter into pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Tips for Perfecting Black People’s Pound Cake
- Room temp ingredients = smoother batter and better texture.
- Use cake flour for an even finer crumb.
- Add a splash of almond extract for a nostalgic Southern twist.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing for best texture.
What to Serve With This Pound Cake
- Fresh strawberries + whipped cream
- A drizzle of lemon glaze or caramel
- Vanilla ice cream or a hot cup of coffee
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap slices in plastic wrap and foil; freeze up to 3 months.
General Information
This pound cake is perfect for soul food Sunday dinners, holidays like Easter or Juneteenth, or simply for baking therapy. It’s great for gifting, travels well, and freezes like a dream.
FAQ
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just reduce or omit the added salt.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp of xanthan gum.
Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking or using too much flour can lead to dryness. Be precise!
Can I use loaf pans instead of a bundt?
Yes—use two 9×5-inch loaf pans. Reduce bake time by 10–15 minutes.
Conclusion
This Black People’s Pound Cake is more than just dessert—it’s love, legacy, and flavor in every bite. If you bake it, let me know how it turned out in the comments or tag me on Pinterest with your creation!
Want more heritage desserts? Don’t forget to check out:
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Black People’s Pound Cake – Don’t Lose This Recipe 😋
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12–14 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A soul-food staple, this Black People’s Pound Cake recipe is rich, buttery, and delightfully moist with cream cheese and hints of vanilla and lemon.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon extract (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
Cream butter and cream cheese, then beat in sugar until fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Stir in extracts.
Sift flour and salt; add to batter gradually.
Pour into pan; smooth top.
Bake 75 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool 10 mins in pan, then on rack.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients improve texture.
Swap lemon extract with almond for variation.
Store in airtight container for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 75
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, Soul Food
