National Pound Cake Day

National Pound Cake Day is celebrated on March 4 every year. Pound Cake is a traditional cake made with four ingredients: butter, eggs, flour and sugar. As long as the proportions are kept the same, the cake results will be the same as the traditional recipe.

Why National Pound Cake Day?

Pound cake is a traditional cake made first using one pound of each of the four main ingredients, eggs, four types, sugar and butter. Then it is baked in a pan or bordered bundle. It is served after freezing or covered with a layer of icing sugar.

The recipe of pound cake was invented in the early 1700s in Europe, it has gone through many different ingredients and now there are many variations of pound cake available on the cooking lists of people who love cake. You can reduce sugar or cream for health concerns, using gluten or dairy-free ingredients for dietary purposes.

Pound cake is so delicious that it can be used with desserts, sweets and fruits. You can cover Nutella or garnish with coffee flavored ice cream for a sweeter creaminess to enhance its flavor.

Cake lovers and bakers all over the world enjoy this day by baking and eating cakes.

Interesting Facts on National Pound Cake Day

Although pound cake’s tradition, there are many different types of pound cake recipes in different continents. Here are some interesting facts about the variation of pound cake that you will find interesting.

• South American Recipe- They make the original traditional pound cake. This recipe is also popular in the Sothern continent of the United States.
• French Pound Cake - In France, pound cake is known as “quatre quart”, which means four quarters. In addition to the above four ingredients, they also like to add pureed banana rum to enhance the flavor.
• Mexican Pound Cake- Mexicans call it panqué. They bake cakes according to tradition. Then add walnuts to make panqué Nueces or raisins to make panqué con pasas (meaning cake battered with raisins).

The History of National Pound Cake Day

The true origin of pound cake is not known. But it is thought that people in the northern part of Europe used to make pound cake in the early 1700s using one pound of each ingredient. Then in 1796, the recipe for pound cake was published in the book American Cookery. The pound cake recipe has been modified by many people over the years in different countries.

In 1851, Eliza Leslie made a recipe in Direction of Cookery, with using 10 eggs, beating them, and adding lemon or orange juice. In the Indian Meal version of the pound, cornmeal derived from dried corn can be used in place of flour. At first, the pound cake has mentioned in 1828 in the Indian Meal Book.

The name pound cake seems to have originated in 18th century Europe, where the recipe first appeared to call for the one-pound weight of each ingredient. This is actually a very clever way to ensure that a recipe can be easily shared in a time when many people don't necessarily know how to read and write.

This recipe will make a sizable cake for those who have tried it exactly as it is. (Theoretically, the result would be a 4-pound cake!) So it's more likely that these cakes are made for large gatherings or with the intention of selling off individual slices. This is a bit different from today's "pound cakes" which are usually about the size of a small loaf pan.

As recipes evolve, they tend to stick to equal parts proportions of all ingredients, but adjust so that the cake will be smaller. An easy way to do this is to simply halve or halve the pound measurement.

Nowadays, cakes are available to buy at the store to have a lighter, buttery consistency. Besides, depending on the specific location, the style and taste may vary slightly. In the UK, pound cake is commonly known as Madeira cake, and in France, one can find variations with chocolate or even lemon juice as a way to create variety.

How to Celebrate National Pound Cake Day

It is a wonderful way to share this time with your family and friends to share happiness on National Pound Cake Day.

Bake a pound cake

It is so easy to make a pound cake, therefore, why not to try making a pound cake.

To have a new thing on this traditional classic, try to make it with sour cream instead of butter, for a super moist cake that melts in your mouth.

Mix all things together and add some vanilla essence, and sprinkle the resulting cake with icing sugar and berries for a little extra sweetness.

Do not forget to share it with your family and colleagues!

Baking several ones at once for later is a great way to save time and have something sweet on hand.

Host a Pound Cake Bake Off

A party for Pound Cake Bake can be a great event! Invite a few people to participate in the baking and set strict or loose rules for everyone to enjoy. Select a number of tasting judges ahead of time to vote for the winner.

It can be fun to see how different pound cakes are, even using the same recipe. For those who just like to think beyond themselves, consider asking each participant to make two pound cakes – one to judge in the Bake Off section and one to auction off to the highest bidder. In other way, charge at the door for each guest - and their entrance fee is a piece of cake and soft drink. Of course, the proceeds will go to a charity of your choice!

Share your memory

Capture all your friends and family's wonderful enjoyment moments, click pictures of each cake flavor and post those recipes on social media. Also, add recipes you've invented. Don't forget to share them on the social media with the hashtags such as #NationalPoundCakeDay, #PoundCake, #PoundCakeDay.