If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that perfectly balances rich, buttery goodness with a subtle kick of warmth, then this Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe is about to become your new favorite. This cake combines the timeless, dense texture of a classic pound cake with the unique flavor of Southern Comfort whiskey, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and a little bit special. Whether you’re celebrating a family gathering or just treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, the moist crumb and warmly boozy notes of this pound cake will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe plays a crucial role, from the richness of the butter to the brightness of the extracts and the smooth depth added by the whiskey. The list might look simple, but each item is carefully chosen to build layers of flavor and give the cake its signature moist, tender texture.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for the cake’s structure, making it fluffy but firm.
- Baking powder: A touch of leavening to keep the pound cake from being too dense.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for the perfect creamy, rich texture and taste.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a lovely golden crust.
- Large eggs: At room temperature, for binding the batter and creating a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the cake’s flavor with warm, familiar notes.
- Almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty, fragrant depth.
- Southern Comfort whiskey: The star ingredient, infusing the cake with its distinctive, smooth, fruity character.
- Sour cream: At room temperature, for moisture and a slight tang, keeping the cake dense yet soft.
How to Make Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). Greasing and flouring a 10-inch bundt or tube pan is essential to ensure your pound cake releases effortlessly after baking. This little prep makes a huge difference for a clean presentation.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Doing this now means the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the cake, which helps with consistent rise and flavor balance.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes with a mixer, and it’s a critical step because the air you incorporate here contributes to the cake’s delightful crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
One at a time, add your eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, making sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next. This slow incorporation ensures a smooth batter. Then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, which complement the whiskey and add layers of flavor complexity.
Step 5: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream
Next, add your dry ingredients to the batter in three parts, alternating with the sour cream in between. Always start and finish with the dry ingredients. This careful folding prevents overmixing while keeping the batter smooth and velvety – the key to that perfect, tender pound cake texture.
Step 6: Stir in the Southern Comfort
This is the moment that transforms a classic pound cake into something magically Southern. Gently stir in the half-cup of Southern Comfort whiskey, ensuring it’s fully incorporated. The whiskey provides a warm, fruity depth that makes every bite a little celebration of flavor.
Step 7: Bake It to Perfection
Pour your luscious batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top so it bakes evenly. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This is the moment where patience pays off with that golden crust and moist interior.
Step 8: Cool and Optional Glaze
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes — this resting helps it set for easy removal. Then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra burst of Southern Comfort goodness, consider drizzling a simple glaze made from powdered sugar mixed with a touch more whiskey. It’s a lovely finishing touch that will have you swooning.
How to Serve Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a handful of toasted almonds can add texture and visual appeal. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also marry beautifully with the cake’s sweet and boozy tones, elevating the experience without overwhelming the delicate flavor.
Side Dishes
This pound cake shines brightest surrounded by light, complementary sides. Consider serving it alongside fresh fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. For a cozy touch, a cup of coffee or a glass of dessert wine creates a perfect pairing, enhancing the warm notes of the Southern Comfort.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe thick and layer it with mascarpone and fresh peaches for a stunning dessert parfait. You can even transform leftover slices into decadent French toast for a boozy brunch twist — the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your pound cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for up to five days and retains all its moist, buttery goodness, making it a great option for making ahead of time.
Freezing
If you want to keep the cake longer, freezing works wonderfully. Wrap it well to avoid freezer burn, and it will keep for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a tender, fresh-from-the-oven taste anytime.
Reheating
To revive your cake’s softness, warm slices in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or briefly heat in a low oven. A little warmth brings back all those comforting flavors and makes any leftovers feel freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute the Southern Comfort whiskey with another alcohol?
Absolutely! While Southern Comfort brings unique fruity notes, you can replace it with bourbon, spiced rum, or even a whiskey you love. Each will bring a slightly different character but maintain that warm, boozy essence.
Why does the recipe call for room temperature eggs and sour cream?
Using room temperature ingredients helps everything blend together smoothly, creating an even batter. This results in a lighter texture and better rise, which is critical for pound cake perfection.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Keep in mind, textures can vary with gluten-free baking, so it may require slight adjustments to the baking time or ingredient proportions.
Is it necessary to use both vanilla and almond extracts?
While you could omit one, using both extracts layers the flavors beautifully. The almond extract adds that nutty, aromatic dimension that complements the vanilla and Southern Comfort exceptionally well.
How do I know when the cake is fully baked?
The best test is inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid opening the oven too often, as temperature fluctuations can affect rising.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe a try. It’s one of those cakes that feels both nostalgic and exciting, with its tender crumb and that whisper of whiskey magic. Whether for a special occasion or a simple afternoon treat, this cake promises to bring warmth, smiles, and a little Southern charm straight to your table.
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Southern Comfort Pound Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 85 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Southern Comfort Pound Cake is a rich and moist dessert infused with the smooth flavors of Southern Comfort whiskey and almond extract. Perfectly dense with a tender crumb, it combines classic pound cake ingredients with a boozy twist that makes it ideal for special occasions or an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ cup Southern Comfort whiskey (or your preferred whiskey)
- 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or tube pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which typically takes about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts for enhanced flavor.
- Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream: Begin by adding one-third of the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Next, add half of the sour cream and gently blend. Repeat this process, alternating the dry ingredients in thirds and sour cream in halves, finishing with the dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the cake’s tender texture.
- Add Southern Comfort: Stir in the Southern Comfort whiskey until fully incorporated into the batter, adding a distinctive boozy depth and aroma to the pound cake.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt or tube pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating it is fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in its pan for about 10 minutes to set. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool completely. For an optional finishing touch, drizzle the cake with a glaze made from powdered sugar mixed with Southern Comfort whiskey for extra flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Make sure all your ingredients, especially eggs and sour cream, are at room temperature to ensure proper mixing and a smooth batter.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to avoid a dense or tough pound cake.
- Using a bundt or tube pan helps the cake bake evenly and creates a beautiful presentation.
- For a boozier glaze, adjust the amount of Southern Comfort to your taste but keep the powdered sugar ratio balanced to maintain the right consistency.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
