Million Dollar Pound Cake

This rich and buttery Million Dollar Pound Cake recipe has been rotating through Southern kitchens for decades. It’s made with seven simple pantry ingredients and can be served on its own, with fresh berries and whipped cream, lemon curd, ice cream or countless other options. It’s a pound cake aficionado’s dream.

Ingredients to Make Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

How Does the Million Dollar Pound Cake Rise? Other than eggs, there’s no leavening in this cake. This makes a key step in the process of making the batter to whip air into the butter. I use a rule of “fives” when making this pound cake.  By that I mean, to give the cake a creamy lighter texture whip the butter on high for 5 minutes then add the sugar and continue to whip for another 5 minutes. This process has a magical effect on the cake batter which adds to the mystique of how such simple ingredients can produce such a pleasing result. How to make Southern Million Dollar Pound Cake: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card,

• Flour – All-purpose flour form the base of th cake flour. There is no baking powder or baking soda used for leavening.
• Butter – Salted butter whipped vigorously helps the pound cake to rise.
• Flavorings – Vanilla extract and almond extract for a creamy, floral nutty taste.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the cake batter and gives the pound cake a rich flavor.
• Liquid – Whole milk OR buttermilk.

How to Make the Best Million Dollar Pound Cake Recipe

This pound cake is fantastic for make-ahead baking as it freezes like a dream. This beloved cake was first made famous by Southern Living who dubbed it “Million Dollar Pound Cake.” I serve this pound cake in trifles, parfaits, or as is with a cup of hot tea or coffee. It’s a Southern classic that will never grow old.  Follow the preparation technique carefully and this classic delight will be the star ending to any meal.

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven then butter and flour an angel food pan (tube pan) with a removable bottom.
• Whip Butter – Whip butter, vanilla and almond extract for 5 minutes on medium-high speed with an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• Cream Butter and Sugar – Switch to the paddle attachment. Add the sugar gradually beating on medium until light yellow in color. (Around 5 minutes)
• Add Eggs – Add one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Combine with Flour and Milk – On low speed add the flour alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour.
• Pour Batter into Prepared Pan – Spread evenly into the pan and bounce on the counter, if needed to settle.
• Oven – Bake per the cook time in the recipe until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes back clean.
• Cool on a Wire Rack – Slice and enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Pound Cake

• A stand mixer or a hand mixer. It’s super helpful to have a stand mixer for making the batter for this pound cake recipe. It takes some time to beat air into the butter and while it can be done using a hand mixer, it’s not possible to do by hand.
• Large bowl and rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• A tube pan or angel food cake pan
• Wire rack for cooling the cake after baking.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Rule of Fives – Remember, it’s the rule of fives to make this cake. 5 minutes to whip the butter and 5 minutes to cream the butter with the granulated sugar. This adds air to the batter and gives it a beautiful rise.
• Butter – If you don’t have salted butter, you can use the same amount of unsalted butter and add 1/2 tsp salt.
• Use Pure Vanilla Extract – The amount of vanilla extract called for in the recipe is one Tablespoon, not one teaspoon. It’s not a typo.
• Use the Proper Pan – Please note this is a big cake. You’ll need a large tube pan, sometimes called an angel food pan, for baking. I use one with a removable bottom, but it’s fine to bake it in a pan that doesn’t have that option. This cake can be made in a tube pan without a removable bottom.
• Test for Doneness – Baking time may vary by oven. Bake until a toothpick or a cake tester, inserted into the center comes back clean.
• Alternate Pans – You can divide the cake batter and bake it in loaf pans. When doing so, the baking time will need to be adjusted, less batter will take less time to bake.
• How to Serve – You can enjoy topped with strawberries and whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, lemon curd or any fresh fruit that you enjoy.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store Million Dollar Pound Cake wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container, chilled in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can store it at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Tip – When freezing pound cake make certain it’s cooled completely before tightly wrapping in plastic freezer wrap.
• Freezer – You can freeze it as a whole pound cake or cut it into slices for individual portions. Doing it that way makes it convenient to grab a piece from the freezer for a quick treat or when entertaining unexpected guests. It will easily last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge prior to serving.

More Southern Style Pound Cake Recipes to Make

Southern Living Magazine made this pound cake famous and I love that a cake that’s decades old was featured in such a wonderful publication. More pound cake recipes you may like to try:

• White Chocolate Cherry Pound Cake is pretty as a picture.
• Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake is rich and decadent made with Dutch process cocoa.
• Orange Pound Cake packs a burst of citrus flavor.
• Homemade buttery Brown Sugar Pound Cake.
• Easy Buttermilk Pound Cake recipe.
• Fresh Strawberry Pound Cake with Vanilla Cream Glaze.
• Pecan Praline Buttermilk Pound Cake is drizzled with a praline glaze that takes it over the top.
• Coconut lovers Coconut Cream Pound Cake with Vanilla Cream Glaze.
• My Aunt’s Lemon Lovers Pound Cake is a family tradition.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 10-inch Angel Food Pan with Removable Bottom
• Stand Mixer
• Cake Pedestal
• Silicone Spatulas