This mini vanilla pound cake is luxuriously buttery, dense yet tender, and perfect on its own or topped with a glossy chocolate ganache. Simple to prepare, it’s ideal for afternoon tea, dessert, or gifting to friends. With a few basic ingredients, you can create perfectly portioned cakes that taste like they came from a bakery.
Mini Vanilla Pound Cake
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, slightly below room temperature | ½ cup (113g / 4 oz) |
| Sugar | 1 cup (200g / 7.1 oz) |
| Large eggs, room temperature | 2 |
| Sour cream, full-fat | ⅔ cup (160ml) |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 1 ½ cup (180g / 6.3 oz) |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease mini cake molds and dust with flour, tapping out the excess, or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment until fluffy and creamy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Sour Cream
In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, then add them gradually to the butter mixture while mixing at medium speed. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter while mixing on low speed, scraping the sides and bottom to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter. Finish folding gently with a spatula.
Step 5: Fill Pans and Remove Air
Spoon the batter into prepared molds, filling each about three-quarters full. Tap the molds gently on the counter or run a skewer through to release trapped air bubbles.
Step 6: Bake the Cakes
Bake mini cakes for about 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. For larger oval or square cake tins, bake at the same temperature for 50–55 minutes.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the cakes to cool before removing from the molds. Serve plain, or pour over a rich chocolate ganache for a decadent finish. These mini cakes are perfect for any occasion, from simple snacks to elegant desserts.
