Vanilla pound cake is a 5-star dessert.

Have a surplus ofripe berries?

Vanilla pound cake provides the ultimate canvas.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake sliced on a cake plate to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Guests in town and need something sweet to go with coffee?

Vanilla pound cake is the answer.

It’s simple enough to serve any day of the week, but fancy enough for a party table.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The best part is that most of the ingredients necessary for the recipe are likely already in your kitchen.

Learn how to make vanilla pound cake.

Could there be a more perfect dessert?

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake greasing the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why Is It Called Pound Cake?

It was a cake that was simple to remember and easy to make.

It also stays moist for days at room temperatureif it lasts that long.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake sifting the dry ingredients together

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Store this cake covered or well-wrapped at room temperature for up to four days.

It can also be frozen, ideally in individually-wrapped slices for quick thawing, for up to two months.

Bring to room temperature before serving.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake beating the butter and sugar until fluffy

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Serve with tea, coffee, or sparkling wine for a simple yet elegant dessert you’ll love.

Bundt or tube pan.

Sift dry ingredients:

In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt together.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake beating in the eggs and vanilla

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add sugar and continue to beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.

Add vanilla extract and seeds from vanilla bean.

Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to be sure all ingredients blend together.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake after adding the flour mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Then add the rest of the flour mixture and beat until smooth and incorporated.

Scoop batter into pan:

Using a rubber spatula, scoop the batter into your prepared pan.

Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake batter in the pan before baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Turn cake out of the pan and onto the cooling rack to cool completely.

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake letting the cake cool in the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Vanilla Pound Cake letting the cake cool on the cooling rack

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox