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This month’s baking partner’s challenge is to make pound cake. I made lemon pound cake with an apricot pineapple filling and an orange glaze.

This recipe makes 1 loaf, but if you want to use a Bundt pan, double the recipe.  Make sure this cake bakes in a cold oven,  DO NOT PREHEAT OVEN.

Active Time: 20 min
Total Time: 3 1/2 hr (includes cooling)
from Gourmet | September 2005

ELVIS PRESLEY’S FAVORITE POUND CAKE
1 sticks (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for buttering pan
1 1/2 cups sifted cake flour plus additional for dusting
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 and 1/2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
1/2 cup heavy cream

• Generously butter pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess flour, line the bottom  of the pan with parchment paper.
• Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes in a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or 6 to 8 minutes with a handheld mixer. 
• Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. 
• Reduce speed to low and add half of flour, then all of cream, then remaining flour, mixing well after each addition. 
• Scrape down side of bowl, and then beat at medium-high speed 5 minutes. Batter will become creamier and satiny.
• Transfer the batter into pan and tap the pan against work surface once or twice to eliminate air bubbles.
• Place pan in (cold) oven and turn oven temperature to 350°F. 
• Bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out with a few crumbs adhering, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. 
• Cool cake in pan on a rack 30 minutes. 
• Run a thin knife around inner and outer edges of cake, then invert rack over pan and invert cake onto rack to cool completely.