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A classic pound cake recipe transformed into a “quarter” pound cake! Baked in a small baking dish, this buttery, tender, and golden Mini Pound Cake recipe yields the perfect amount for one or two people.

Searching for delightful mini cake recipes? Discover our rich Devil’s Food Cake, exotic Hummingbird Cake, classic Texas Sheet Cake, aromatic Spice Cake, and luxurious Red Velvet Cake. Each one is crafted to perfection in a smaller size, ideal for satisfying your cake cravings.

Why You’ll Love This Small Pound Cake Recipe

  • Individually Sized: This small pound cake recipe is perfect for one or two people.
  • Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples you likely already have.
  • Quick and Easy: No complicated steps, just straightforward baking.
  • Versatile: Can be served for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
  • Delicious: This mini cake is light and airy, with a rich and flavorful crumb.
One square pound cake in a small baking dish next to a cup of coffee.

What Is A Pound Cake?

The pound cake has a rich history that traces its roots back to England in the early 1700s. Traditionally, it was made with equal parts— a pound each—of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The French even have a name for it: “quatre-quarts,” meaning “four-fourths.” This original version was quite dense and dry, designed to serve a large crowd.

Fast forward to the mid-1800s, and the culinary world started craving lighter cakes. That’s when the pound cake began to evolve. Modern versions often include leavening agents like baking powder and altered ratios of the core ingredients, resulting in a cake that’s rich, buttery, and velvety in texture.

Today’s pound cake can be enjoyed in various ways—on its own, adorned with fresh fruit, or even as a base for other desserts like Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Cake.

In this recipe, I’ve aimed to capture the essence of the classic pound cake but in a mini, more manageable form. I call it a “quarter pound cake” because it’s about a quarter of the size of a traditional pound cake. It’s perfect for serving one or two people and can be baked in a small dish or divided between two ramekins. The result? A cake with a light, airy texture and an absolutely delightful flavor.

Ingredients

pound cake ingredients on a kitchen counter.

If you have any ingredients leftover from this mini pound cake recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Butter: Use salted butter. Make sure the butter is soft, not melted. A good way to check to see if your butter is the right consistency is to make an indention in the butter with your finger. If it’s easy to make an indentation and the butter keeps its shape, then it’s the correct temperature.
  • Sugar, vanilla, salt, and lemon juice: For excellent flavor.
  • Egg: An egg provides structure in cakes and one large egg is all you need.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour.
  • Baking powder: This ingredient helps the cake rise.
  • Milk: Milk adds moisture to the cake batter. Use any percentage of cow’s milk or almond milk.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Variations

If you’re looking to add a unique twist to your cake, these variations are worth trying.

  • Citrus Pound Cake: Add some zing to your cake by incorporating lemon, lime, or orange zest into the batter.
  • Nut-Filled Pound Cake: Fold in some chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans for added texture and a nutty flavor.
  • Chocolate Chip Pound Cake: For chocolate lovers, mix in mini chocolate chips before baking for a chocolatey surprise.
  • Spiced Pound Cake: Spice things up by adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of cardamom to the batter.
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How To Make A Mini Pound Cake

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small pound cake. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Heat the oven to 350° F (177° C).
  2. Lightly butter a 5-inch baking dish or a 4×6-inch baking dish with butter.

Pro Tip: I recommend placing the baking dish on top of a rimmed baking sheet to catch any possible spills when the cake is baking.

  1. In a small bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until well mixed. 
  2. Beat in egg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Add to butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine.
  5. Stir in the milk.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden.
six photos showing how to make a pound cake.
  1. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before inverting it over a plate and slicing it into squares.
four small squares of pound cake on a white plate.

Expert Tips

  • Use Real Butter: For the best flavor and texture, stick to real butter instead of margarine.
  • Softened Butter is Key: To check if your butter is at the right consistency, press it with your finger. If it’s easy to make an indentation but the butter still holds its shape, you’re good to go.
  • Cream for Texture: Blend the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that smooth, velvety texture. Aim for 2-3 minutes of beating, depending on your mixer’s speed.
  • Measure Flour Correctly: Avoid scooping flour directly with a measuring cup. Instead, fluff the flour first, spoon it into a dry measuring cup, and level it off with a flat-edged knife.
  • Calibrate Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is at the correct temperature for consistent results. Ovens can often run hotter or cooler than the set temperature, so investing in an oven thermometer is a wise choice.

Serving Suggestions

This Mini Pound Cake is a versatile dessert that pairs well with a variety of accompaniments.

  • Fruit Toppings: Elevate your cake by adding a dollop of whipped cream and a spoonful of fresh berry compote or a drizzle of fruit syrup.
  • Ice Cream Pairing: A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes for a heavenly combination.
  • Coffee or Tea: This cake pairs exceptionally well with a cup of your favorite coffee, hot chocolate, or tea, making it a perfect afternoon delight.
  • Dessert Wine: For an adult twist, serve the cake with a glass of dessert wine like Moscato or a late-harvest Riesling.
One square pound cake in a small baking dish being dusted with powdered sugar next to a cup of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dish to use for a mini pound cake?

The size of your baking dish can make or break this recipe.
A 5×5-inch dish with a depth of 1 3/4 inches is ideal, as it holds about 1.5 cups and has a 25-square-inch base area.
A 4×6-inch dish with a 24-square-inch area is a good alternative.
You can also use two 10-ounce ramekins or mini loaf pans for this recipe.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

How can I make my pound cake moist?

Achieving a moist pound cake is all about the baking time and accurate measurements. Start by checking the cake’s doneness at the 40-minute mark using a toothpick test. A clean toothpick means your cake is done. Also, ensure your oven’s temperature is accurate with an oven thermometer. For precise flour measurement, opt for the spoon and level method.

How do I store pound cake?

It’s best to store a pound cake at room temperature with an airtight cover. It will remain fresh for 4-5 days at room temperature.

Can I freeze pound cake?

Yes, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month.

Can I double this pound cake recipe?

Absolutely, you can easily scale this recipe to make a “half-pound cake”. Simply double the ingredient quantities. You have a couple of options for baking dishes: either use two small dishes as specified above, or opt for a single 8.5-inch round dish with a 50-square-inch base area. A 7×7-inch square dish with a 49-square-inch base area will also work well.

Two green ramekins filled with pound cake on a floral napkin.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

A spoon in a pound cake baked in a ramekin next to another pound cake in a ramekin all wrapped in a floral cloth napkin.

Explore More Mini Cake Recipes

If this Mini Pound Cake has tickled your taste buds, you’re in for a treat with our other mini cake options. From fruity delights to chocolate indulgences, there’s something for everyone:

Four slices of pound cake dusted with powdered sugar on a plate with five decorative lemon wheels on a metal tray with a mug of coffee and a floral cloth napkin.

If you’ve tried this pound cake or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Mini Pound Cake

4.86 from 92 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Cool: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 squares
A classic pound cake recipe transformed into a "quarter" pound cake! Baked in a small baking dish this buttery, tender and golden Mini Pound Cake recipe yields the perfect amount for one or two people.

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • ¼ cup salted butter softened, plus 1 tablespoon more for greasing
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup low fat milk

Instructions 

  • Heat oven to 350° F (177° C)
  • Lightly butter a 5×5-inch baking dish or a 4×6-inch baking dish with butter. Place the baking dish on top of a baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until well mixed. 
  • Beat in egg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine.
  • Stir in the milk.
  • Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is golden.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes before inverting over a plate.
  • Best if served warm.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Use Real Butter: For the best flavor and texture, stick to real butter instead of margarine.
  • Softened Butter is Key: To check if your butter is at the right consistency, press it with your finger. If it’s easy to make an indentation but the butter still holds its shape, you’re good to go.
  • Cream for Texture: Blend the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that smooth, velvety texture. Aim for 2-3 minutes of beating, depending on your mixer’s speed.
  • Measure Flour Correctly: Avoid scooping flour directly with a measuring cup. Instead, fluff the flour first, spoon it into a dry measuring cup, and level it off with a flat-edged knife.
  • Calibrate Oven Temperature: Ensure your oven is at the correct temperature for consistent results. Ovens can often run hotter or cooler than the set temperature, so investing in an oven thermometer is a wise choice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 356kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 201mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 460IU, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Recipe Rating




161 Comments

    1. The lemon flavor is not strong. If you would like to make a lemon pound cake with a stronger lemon flavor, leave out the vanilla and use 3/4 teaspoon of lemon juice.

  1. Oh my gosh it’s awesome very easy to make. You could easily serve this for four peoples with some fresh fruit and whipping cream. Highly recommend the pound cake. Before removing from the pan I went around the cake with a plaster knife, to make it easy to remove. I used the 4 by 6 pan. Will be making again.

  2. Made this on numerous occasions, soooo freaking yummy. When I have buttermilk on hand I use that instead of milk. You won’t regret making this!

  3. For health reasons I will have to pass on the white flour, salted butter and sugar, do you have any suggestions what to use instead? Thanks

    1. Hi Marie, I haven’t tested this recipe with other types of flour except for King Arthur Brand 1:1 Gluten-Free flour which works very well. Unsalted butter or vegan butter can be used instead of salted butter. Although we have not tested this pound cake recipe with sugar substitutes, other readers have used Truvia and Stevia with success.

    1. We provide ingredient amounts for every recipe on our website. You can always find this information at the bottom of every page in the recipe box. Either click the “Jump To Recipe” button at the top of each page or simply scroll down to it. You can print the recipe from the recipe box with all the information you need.

    1. Yes. If you’d like to make a half-pound cake, just double the ingredients in this recipe and either use 2 small 5×5-inch baking dishes, 2 4×6-inch baking dishes, or use one 8 ½-round baking dish that has a base area of 50 square inches or a 7×7-inch square baking with a base area of 49 square inches.

  4. This is the best pound cake recipe ever! I’ve made it multiple times and it is perfect each time. It will be my go-to from here on out.

  5. This is a FABULOUS recipe. It’s as delicious as it looks and super easy. Incredible; gorgeous; wonderful. Thank you, Joanie!

  6. This is a favorite. I have made it twice and it is so good. Love your recipes. Thank you for providing.