Nothing beats a fresh-baked cake for birthday parties, holidays, and other special occasions.
If you’re just getting started with baking, a simple cake recipe should be one of the first things you try.
You can bake a simple cake quickly and easily in your oven at home.
With our steps and a classic recipe, you’ll be on your way to a delicious, moist, and fluffy cake.
A Classic Pound Cake With a Citrus Twist
Every home baker wants to know how do I bake a cake in the oven.
A pound cake recipe is as easy as you can get.
The flavor and freshness can be phenomenal even with a simple pound cake.
Add a citrus twist for a zesty take on an old classic.
Pound Cake Ingredients
The best thing about baking a pound cake in the oven is that the ingredients are few and very simple. Here’s what you’ll need…
- 1 cup softened butter (let it rest out of the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.)
- 2 cups white sugar
- 6 eggs
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, grated
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup lemon-flavored yogurt
Use fresh ingredients and the largest eggs that you can find.
If the eggs are refrigerated, let them rest for 15 minutes to bring them to room temperature.
The vanilla extract will provide much of the flavor here, so use a high-quality natural extract.
This 365 Everyday Value Organic Vanilla Extract is flavorful and can be used in all of your favorite recipes.
You’ll be working with some simple ingredients for the glaze.
- 1-1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Preparation and Baking
Follow these steps for a delicious and soft citrus pound cake.
- Using a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar with a whisk or spatula until the ingredients are fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each one to keep the mix well incorporated.
- Add the vanilla and zest of lemon and orange.
- Add the dry baking soda, salt, and baking powder gradually. Mix well with a spatula or whisk until you have a consistent batter. Mix in the yogurt gradually as you go.
- Prepare a tube pan by lightly brushing it with butter until all sides are greased.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Add the batter to the tube pan and bake it for up to one hour. A toothpick should come out clean from the cake when it’s fully cooked.
- Let the cake rest for ten minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a drying rack for final cooling.
Your cake will be ready, but there’s still the glaze to finish it off.
- Combine the confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice in a bowl and whisk it briskly. Add more sugar to thicken the glaze if necessary.
- Place the cake on a serving platter or dish and drizzle the glaze on top.
You can place the cake in the refrigerator to set the glaze before serving, or enjoy it immediately!
Helpful Accessories for the Best Pound Cake
- You can get an attractive-looking pound cake with a fluted tube pan. This Cuisinart Chef’s Nonstick Bakeware Fluted Cake Pan is perfect for this recipe.
- To help with mixing, invest in a quality whisk set. This Ouddy 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisk Set is perfect for all of your baking needs.
- A non-stick spatula is ideal for mixing cake batter. Try this U-Taste PremiumSilicone Spatula Set for baking.
Tips for the Perfect Pound Cake
How do I bake a cake in the oven?
With our simple steps, you’re ready to get started with your first-pound cake.
This will become a favorite for any occasion.
- Try adding extras into your pound cake for more flavor. Chocolate chips are popular with this recipe.
- Add candied lemon or orange pieces on top of the glaze for some extra presentation.
- Always preheat your oven for baked recipes. Adding the cake pan too early can result in an undercooked cake.
- Grease your pan, even if it’s advertised as non-stick. There’s nothing worse than having a cake stick and fall apart as you remove it from the pan.
- If you don’t have a tube pan, a simple round cake pan will work. Just be sure to test the cake with a toothpick to ensure it’s cooked all the way through.
Baking a Pound Cake is Fun and Easy
Now you know how to bake a cake in the oven you’ll find that the process is fun and easy.
Baking at home is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and this pound cake recipe is one of the easiest to get started with.