True Pound Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Grease and flour one of each: 12-by-2-inch, 9-by-2-inch and 6-by-2-inch round cake pans.
• Using a heavy-duty mixer, cream 3 sticks of the margarine and 1 pound of the confectioners' sugar until the mixture is very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. One at a time, break 6 of the eggs into the batter, beating only as long as it takes to break another egg between additions. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
• Measure 1 pound of the sifted cake flour into an empty confectioners' sugar box, filling to the top. Add the flour to the sugar and egg mixture, stirring gently on low speed. Scrape the sides of the mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and mix again. Transfer the batter to a bowl and reserve. Repeat the steps with the other half of the ingredients.
• Pour the two batches of batter into the prepared pans and bake until the center is set, about 1 hour. Check for doneness by touching the surface lightly with your fingertip or by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
• Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, and then run a thin knife or spatula between the cake and the pan to loosen the edges. Invert the cakes onto wire racks. Place on cake boards to frost with Buttercream Frosting. Slide the layers off the cake boards to stack and decorate with White Cream Decorator Frosting.
• With an electric mixer, cream the butter and add the sugar slowly, beating together until smooth. Add the cream by the tablespoon, beating well after each addition and adding just enough liquid to make a smooth, spreadable icing, Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat the icing on high speed until it is very light and fluffy about 5 minutes.
• Using an electric mixer, cream the shortening and add the sugar gradually, blending well, and beat until fluffy. Beat in the salt, and then add 4 to 5 tablespoons water by the tablespoon, beating continuously and adding just enough to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Add the vanilla extract and beat on high until very fluffy. This frosting can be colored with food coloring if desired and transferred to pastry bags fitted with decorator tips for decorating.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 900g loaf tin with parchment paper (mine was 19cm x 9cm x 6cm). Put all of the ingredients except those for the icing into a large bowl and beat together, either using an electric hand whisk or a wooden spoon until smooth and combined. Pour the mix into the loaf tin and spread evenly with the back of spoon. Bake for 40 - 45 mins.
• Once out of the oven, leave to cool and make the icing. Combine the icing sugar and vanilla paste with three tbsp of water - you may need more but add it gradually to get a thick icing. Spread it over the top of the cake; it's fine if it drips down the edges. Allow to set and then slice.

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Add egg yolks, beat until thick and lemon colored.
• In seperate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Add egg whites, mace, flour, and brandy to egg yolk/sugar mixture.
• Beat vigorously for 5 minutes.
• Bake in deep pan at 350 degrees for 75 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 5-by-9-inch loaf pans. Combine all-purpose flour and salt in a bowl.
• Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy, for 8 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to medium, and add vanilla extract.
• Lightly beat eggs, and add to mixer bowl in 4 additions, mixing thoroughly after each and scraping down sides. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing until just incorporated. Divide batter between pans. Tap on counter to distribute; smooth tops.
• Bake until a tester inserted into center of each cake comes out clean, about 65 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire rack.