If you’re searching for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert, look no further than Southern Comfort Pound Cake. This luscious cake is the definition of indulgence: golden and crisp on the outside, sumptuously moist within, and laced with the warm, caramel-kissed notes of Southern Comfort whiskey liqueur. It’s the kind of old-fashioned treat that never goes out of style, wonderful for celebrations or just because you need a sweet hug in cake form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe celebrates simple, high-quality ingredients that come together in truly magical ways. Each one has a starring role to play, giving the Southern Comfort Pound Cake its magnificent texture, rich flavor, and delicate crumb.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Lends that trademark richness and a beautiful golden color — be sure it’s soft, not melted, for the best creaminess.
- Vegetable shortening (1/2 cup): Combines with butter to produce a uniquely tender crumb and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Granulated sugar (3 cups): Sweetens the cake generously while helping create that lovely, rosy exterior crust.
- Large eggs (6): Bind everything together and add an irresistible silkiness to every slice.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The backbone of pound cake’s structure — measure with care and don’t pack it down.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Ensures just the right amount of lift for a perfectly domed cake.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Highlights all the sweet and buttery flavors, making every ingredient pop.
- Whole milk (1/2 cup): Keeps the crumb wonderfully moist and tender from the inside out.
- Southern Comfort or other whiskey liqueur (1/2 cup): The heart and soul of the cake — brings a warm, spiced, unmistakably Southern flair.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Infuses depth and that classic dessert aroma you crave in every good pound cake.
How to Make Southern Comfort Pound Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to ensure even baking, and take a moment to generously grease and flour a 10-inch bundt or tube pan. This step is key for an easy release and a cake that looks just as good as it tastes. Get your ingredients measured and ready — it’ll make the process smooth as silk.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Shortening, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, and sugar. Use a stand mixer or handheld electric beater for best results, and cream for a full 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is fluffy, pale, and doubled in volume. This step is crucial for making your Southern Comfort Pound Cake light yet satisfyingly dense.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. You’ll notice the batter becoming rich and silky as the eggs emulsify with the fat and sugar. Don’t rush this part — patience pays off with a luscious, homogenous batter.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening and seasoning are perfectly distributed, giving your cake a consistent texture with no surprises.
Step 5: Mix Milk and Southern Comfort
Pour the whole milk and Southern Comfort into a measuring cup and give it a quick stir. This mixture will infuse the batter with richness and a subtle, sophisticated warmth that makes every bite special.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
With your mixer on low, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk-Southern Comfort mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined — overbeating can make your cake tough. Finish by stirring in the vanilla extract for one last boost of flavor.
Step 7: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide it into the oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes. Check at the 1-hour mark, but don’t open the oven too early if you want a gorgeously risen crust. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Unmold
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes; this gives it structure and makes unmolding less risky. Invert the pan onto a wire rack and let your beautiful Southern Comfort Pound Cake cool completely before slicing. If you’re feeling fancy, give it a quick brush with a combo of Southern Comfort and powdered sugar for a sticky-sweet glaze.
How to Serve Southern Comfort Pound Cake
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar is always a classic choice, but for real Southern flair, try a drizzle of Southern Comfort-spiked glaze or even a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berries or sliced peaches pair beautifully and add a pop of color, making your pound cake as pretty as it is delicious.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong serving thick slices of Southern Comfort Pound Cake with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. For a brunch twist, pair it with fresh fruit salad or creamy Greek yogurt on the side. Coffee, sweet tea, or even a little extra nip of Southern Comfort aren’t required, but highly encouraged!
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive dessert table centerpiece, arrange slices in a spiral and garnish with orange zest or candied pecans. Feeling playful? Cut cubes of cake for a Southern Comfort Pound Cake trifle with layers of pudding and fruit, or skewer chunks for a fun fondue. The cake’s sturdy crumb stands up perfectly in all sorts of creative desserts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Southern Comfort Pound Cake keeps beautifully! Simply wrap any leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Storing at room temperature preserves its perfect crumb and prevents it from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save some cake for later (as if that ever happens!), let the cake cool completely, then wrap whole or sliced portions in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature for best results.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth, pop a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or gently toast it in a low oven. The cake’s buttery richness and aroma come alive again, making leftovers feel fresh-from-the-oven special.
FAQs
Can I use bourbon or another whiskey instead of Southern Comfort?
Absolutely! While Southern Comfort gives a unique sweet spice, any favorite whiskey or whiskey liqueur will work, lending a slightly different but delicious richness to your pound cake.
Why is my pound cake dense or heavy?
Pound cake should be rich but never stodgy. Be sure to cream the butter, shortening, and sugar until very fluffy, and don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour. This ensures a tender, light crumb every time.
How do I prevent my cake from sticking to the pan?
Properly greasing and flouring your pan (or using baking spray with flour) is the key. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes before inverting, and it should slip out beautifully with its golden crust intact.
Is it better served fresh or does it improve with time?
Many agree that Southern Comfort Pound Cake is even more flavorful the next day as the liqueur and butter meld. Simply wrap it up well and enjoy the flavor deepening overnight.
Can I make mini pound cakes instead of one large cake?
Definitely! Divide the batter among mini bundt pans or loaf pans, reduce the baking time, and keep an eye on them. They make charming gifts — who wouldn’t love their own tiny Southern Comfort Pound Cake?
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking a Southern Comfort Pound Cake, and sharing it is even better. Whether you keep it simply dusted or dress it up, this cake shines with Southern charm and unforgettable flavor. I hope it finds a home in your kitchen the way it has in mine — don’t be surprised if you start coming up with reasons to bake it again and again!
