Million Dollar Pound Cake

This Million Dollar Pound Cake recipe is something that’ll make you wanna pat yourself on the back and say “I did that!โ€. Straight Up Boss Moves y’all. Itโ€™s wonderfully rich, fluffy and beyond buttery, with a hint of almond and vanilla that just dances on your tongue with each bite. And that glaze? Boos, I canโ€™t live without it! Silky and sweet, it’s the crowning glory of this million dollar pound cake. Let’s get into it!

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A close up of slice of million dollar pound cake being removed from whole cake

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Five star review

โ€œThank you for this recipe. It is a cake worth makingโ€ฆabsolutely delicious! I made it before some friends came over. It was a hit! She took the rest home along with a copy of this recipe.โ€

โ€”CHRISTINE

As someone who’s baked more pound cakes than there are stars in the sky for reals, I can vouch for this one y’all. This Million Dollar Pound Cake recipe is a stand out!! It’s got that classic pound cake charm going for it with a rich twist making every slice taste like a million bucks. I mean, who can resist sweet, buttery goodness perfectly flavored with almond and vanilla extracts? Not me!

The Lowdown of This Million Dollar Pound Cake

Closeup of Jocelyn in pink dress smiling

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern baby!

Primary Cooking Method: Baking

Dietary Info: Contains dairy and eggs. Can be made gluten-free with ingredient swaps.

Key Flavor: Rich and super buttery with sweet, aromatic notes of vanilla and almond

Skill Level: Easy y’all (No Sweat Fam!)

Don’t let the name fool ya โ€“ you don’t need fancy stuff to make this million dollar pound cake recipe. It calls for basic, easy-to-get ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry.

Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cakes! This recipe is all about that perfect crumb โ€“ dense yet moist, with a fluffy texture that melts in your mouth boos.

Whether it’s a fancy dinner party, a cozy family get-together, or just a random Tuesday night, this pound cake fits right in. It’s versatile enough to be dressed up with a glaze or enjoyed plain with a cup of coffee. Many of my mornings have started this way, just sayin’…

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

Butter, sugar, flour, vanilla, eggs on white countertop to make pound cake

For The Cake

  • Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our cake, providing richness and a tender texture. Always try to choose the best butter available!
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps it reach a fluffy consistency when creamed with the butter.
  • Eggs and Additional Yolks: Eggs bind the ingredients together, add moisture, and help the cake rise. The extra yolks make the cake richer and more luxurious. If you really want to bake the best million dollar pound cake, you can’t skip these!
  • Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
  • Cake Flour: Forms the structure of the cake. Don’t forget to sift it!
  • Milk: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb. I always use whole milk y’all.
  • Almond Extract & Vanilla Extract: These are the aromatic heart of the pound cake! Pure extracts give the best taste boos.

For The Glaze

  • Confectionersโ€™ Sugar: Makes a smooth, sweet glaze. It’s finely ground, ensuring a lump-free topping.
  • Milk: Thins the sugar to a pourable consistency. Whole milk gives a richer glaze.
  • Vanilla Extract & Almond Extract: Add a lovely aroma and flavor that complements the cake. As with the cake, pure extracts are ideal for the best flavor.

How To Make Million Dollar Pound Cake

Butter and sugar in a stand mixer bowl on white countertop
1
Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on high speed until fluffy and light in color.
Eggs added to a stand mixer with creamed butter and sugar on white countertop
2
Lower speed to medium, and add eggs and yolks, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Flour mixture added to a stand mixer with pound cake batter on white countertop
3
Slowly add salt and half of the flour. Mix on low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Milk and flavor extracts added to stand mixer to make million dollar pound cake recipe on white countertop
4
Pour in milk and both extracts and mix until combined.
Flour added to finish up pound cake batter on white countertop
5
Add in the second half of the flour.
Creamed pound cake batter ready just before baking on white countertop
6
Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix boos.
Cake batter poured into a bundt pan before baking on white countertop
7
Pour the batter into a prepared pan.
Out of the oven baked million dollar pound cake on white countertop
8
Bake until inserted skewer comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached. Allow the cake to cool in the pan.
Resting million dollar cake on white countertop after baking
9
Turn out the cake from the pan after about 15 minutes and let it cool fully.
Confectioner's sugar and milk being mixed together in a small bowl to make glaze
10
Add confectionersโ€™ sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to a small bowl.
Whisked cake glaze in a white glass bowl on white countertop
11
Whisk all the ingredients together.
Cake glaze poured over completely cooled million dollar cake on white countertop
12
Pour glaze over the cooled cake and let it set. Then, serve it up y’all.

What To Serve With This Million Dollar Cake Recipe

  • Elevate with Toppings: This million dollar cake is a star on its own baby, but why not dress it up a bit? Drizzle it with a warm caramel sauce or chocolate ganache. A dollop of homemade whipped cream is also my go-to.
  • Ice Cream: Imagine a scoop of creamy ice cream melting alongside a warm slice of this cake โ€“ pure bliss! Classic vanilla ice cream is my go-to, but you can also try flavors like red velvet ice cream, strawberry ice cream, or even coffee ice cream for an indulgent twist.
  • Warm Drinks: A slice of this rich, buttery cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. Whether it’s a robust wassail, a spiced apple cider, or a soothing French hot chocolate, the warm beverage complements the cake’s flavors and makes for a cozy, comforting experience.
  • Fresh Fruit: For a lighter side, serve the cake with a bowl of fresh fruit salad. The acidity and sweetness of fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or peaches cut through the richness of the cake, balancing all the flavors.

Recipe Substitutions

  • Unsalted Butter: Grab salted butter if you don’t have unsalted around. Just leave out the salt if you do.
  • Granulated Sugar: Swap the sugar for light brown sugar for a deeper molasses sweetness in the mix. It will also add more moisture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Want an even more tender crumb? Use cake flour instead.
  • Milk: Feel free to sub in half-and-half for a richer end result.
A glazed million dollar pound cake recipe on a white plate in white background

Recipe Variations

  • Gluten-Free: Swap out the flour for your fave 1:1 ratio gluten-free baking flour so your gluten intolerant boos can enjoy. The texture may change slightly but it will still be delish!
  • Citrus it Up: Replace the vanilla extract with a lemon, orange or lime extract and add some zest to give it a bright citrus vibe.
  • Brown the Butter: Brown all of your butter in a skillet then let it solidify in the fridge before creaming with the sugar at the beginning of the recipe. It will provide such a nutty deep buttery flavor.

Expert Tips and Tricks

  1. Whip It Good: Since there’s no leavening agent like baking powder or soda in this cake, the rise comes from the air you whip into the batter. So spend a good amount of time creaming your butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy!
  2. Room Temp Ingredients: Your butter, eggs, and milk should all be at room temp boos. Cold ingredients don’t blend well and can affect the cake’s rise and texture.
  3. Measure the Flour Correctly: Too much flour can make your million dollar cake dense and heavy y’all. The best way to measure flour is by first fluffing it up with a spoon, spooning it into your measuring cup, and then leveling it off with a knife. No scooping directly from the bag โ€“ that’s a recipe for a heavy cake!
  4. Don’t Peek-a-Boo: You might be eager to see your cake’s progress, but opening the door every 15 minutes can release heat and cause inconsistent baking. Trust in your oven and the heavenly aroma filling your kitchen to tell you when it’s nearing done.
A slice of million dollar cake on a white plate being cut into with full cake in the white background

How To Store Million Dollar Pound Cake

To keep your million dollar cake recipe fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. On the counter, it’s best kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you want to refrigerate it, placing it in the fridge will help keep its freshness a bit longer.

How Long Will It Last?

When stored properly at room temperature, your cake will stay fresh and delicious for about 3 to 4 days. If you’ve tucked it away in the fridge, you can extend its life to about 1 week.

Can I Freeze Million Dollar Cake with Glaze?

If you want to save your cake for a later date, freezing is the move y’all! Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 months in the freezer. When you’re ready for round 2, thaw the cake slowly by transferring it to the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

My million dollar cake stuck to the pan. How can I separate it?

Gently run a butter knife or a thin spatula around the edges and center of the cake to loosen it. Then, give the pan a few gentle taps on the counter. Place a plate over the pan and carefully invert it; your cake should come out more easily. And remember, patience is key โ€“ if the cake’s still warm, it might need a few more minutes to set before it releases cleanly from the pan. In the future, use my cake release to make sure it comes out super clean.

Is it necessary to use a Bundt pan for this recipe?

While a Bundt pan is traditional for pound cakes and allows for even baking and a gorgeous presentation, you can use other pans if you don’t have one. Two loaf pans or round cake pans can work as well.

My million dollar pound cake is browning too quickly. What should I do?

If you notice your cake is browning too quickly but the inside isn’t done yet, you can gently place a piece of aluminum foil over the top. This will shield the cake from direct heat and prevent further browning while allowing the inside to continue baking and setting properly.

Overhead shot of a slice of million dollar pound cake with creamy white glaze, resting on a white plate with a portion of the slice on a fork next to it

This Million Dollar Pound Cake is a no-fuss wonder that’s just as easy to make as, well, a piece of cake! It only needs a few pantry staples, and the result is a cake so scrumptious, it’s worth its weight in gold. Just imagine the aroma of this cake baking in your kitchen, fillin’ the air with hints of vanilla and almondโ€ฆ Mouthwatering, y’all!

More Pound Cake Recipes

A close up of slice of million dollar pound cake being removed from whole cake

Million Dollar Pound Cake

Treat yourself with this Million Dollar Pound Cake! This pound cake recipe is amazing, y'all! Moist, just the right amount of sweet and you guess it, is worth a cool 1 mill!
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Cooling Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 pound unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 large yolks
  • 1 ยผ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 ยฝ cups cake flour
  • 1 cup milk room temperature
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze

  • 1 ยฝ cups confectionersโ€™ sugar sifted
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ยผ teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300F. Set rack to middle position. Generously spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
  • In bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy and light in color, about 7-8 minutes.
  • Lower speed to medium, and add eggs and yolks, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • On low speed, slowly add salt and half of flour. Mix until just combined, about 1 minute, scraping down bowl as needed.
  • Slowly pour in milk and both extracts and mix until combined.
  • Add in second half of flour and mix well until combined, about 90 seconds.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until inserted skewer comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
  • Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool fully, about 30 minutes.
  • For glaze, whisk all ingredients together in small bowl. Pour over cooled cake and let set for about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

How To Store Million Dollar Pound Cake

To keep your million dollar cake recipe fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. On the counter, it’s best kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you want to refrigerate it, placing it in the fridge will help keep its freshness a bit longer.

How Long Will It Last?

When stored properly at room temperature, your cake will stay fresh and delicious for about 3 to 4 days. If you’ve tucked it away in the fridge, you can extend its life to about 1 week.

Can I Freeze Million Dollar Cake with Glaze?

If you want to save your cake for a later date, freezing is the move y’all! Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 months in the freezer. When you’re ready for round 2, thaw the cake slowly by transferring it to the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 704kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 1104IU | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
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Filed Under:  Easter, Mother's Day, New Year's, Oven, Pound Cakes

Comments

  1. Hi i just STARTED learning how to bake!!! I want to try this recipe!! Im confused on the 1 1/4 teaspoonโ€ฆ.sorry

5 from 13 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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