Vanilla Sprinkle Pound Cake

PREP TIME: 30 MIN |  COOK TIME: 1 HR |  YIELD: 12-15 SLICES

Scrumptious Moment - Experimenting

While I didn’t have a special memory to inspire this creation, I was in the midst of experimenting with different cake and bread recipes. I wanted to create a birthday dessert that was both visually appealing and delicious, but without the overwhelming sweetness often found in traditional cakes. This Vanilla Sprinkle Pound Cake is the result—a perfect balance of the sweet vanilla flavor and colorful sprinkles you’d expect from a Funfetti cake, all wrapped up in a light, spongy texture. It’s the ideal treat for those who love celebrating with a cake but prefer a lighter, less dense option without all the frosting.

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VANILLA SPRINKLE POUND CAKE

Introducing the Vanilla Sprinkle Pound Cake! This cake combines the delightful sweetness of vanilla with a burst of colorful sprinkles, capturing the charm of a classic Funfetti cake but with a twist. The texture is light and spongy, making it a perfect alternative for anyone who loves to celebrate with a cake, but doesn’t want something heavy or overly sweet. This cake is a perfect blend of flavor and color, offering a festive and delicious treat that’s both soft and airy, with a vanilla bean glaze that provides a lighter alternative to heavy frosting. A simple yet delightful take on birthday cake that’s sure to brighten any celebration!

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WHAT IS A POUND CAKE?

Pound cake is a total classic—rich, moist, and so simple, you can practically make it with your eyes closed. Its name comes from the original recipe, which called for a pound each of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs—because why complicate things? Born in Europe, especially in England, this cake was the go-to for celebrations, a no-fail treat that was as easy as it was delicious.

While the original version still reigns supreme, the recipe has evolved to include ingredients like vanilla, citrus, or buttermilk for a little extra flair. For a lighter option, like this one, many include baking powder. And let’s not forget the toppings! A sweet glaze, fruit, or even nuts can turn this humble cake into a showstopper. See below for some of my favorite variations of pound cake!

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MY FAVORITE POUND CAKES

• Classic Vanilla Pound Cake – The timeless favorite, rich with buttery vanilla flavor.

• Lemon Pound Cake – Bright and zesty, perfect for a refreshing twist.

• Citrus Pound Cake – A mix of orange or lime for a burst of fresh, tangy flavor.

• Strawberry Pound Cake – Light and fruity, with fresh strawberry flavor woven throughout.

• Marble Pound Cake – A fun, swirled combination of vanilla and chocolate.

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Yield: 10-15 SLICES

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VANILLA SPRINKLE POUND CAKE

This Vanilla Sprinkle Pound Cake is a delightful, light twist on the classic, with a sweet vanilla flavor and vibrant sprinkles, making it the perfect dessert for any celebration!

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 1 cup (or two sticks) of unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup of birthday sprinkles

Vanilla Bean Glaze

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste
• 5-6 tablespoons of whole milk

Instructions

Making the Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and butter and line a bread/loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together (electric hand mixer preferred) the soft butter and granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
3. Whisk in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Pour half of the flour mixture into the wet batter until combined. Then pour in the whole milk. Pour the remaining of the flour mixture until just combined (DO NOT OVERMIX).
6. Add in the birthday cake sprinkles (leave a couple tablespoons for topping).
7. Pour the batter to the loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remainder of the Funfetti birthday sprinkles on top of the loaf.
8. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Use a knife at 45 minutes to insert into the loaf - if mostly clean, it is ready.
9. While the cake is cooling, make the glaze. [see below]
10. Pour the glaze on top of the loaf, let it set for 30 minutes in the fridge or immediately cut into slices and serve!

Making the Glaze

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner's sugar and milk (you make need to add more milk depending on the consistency you want).
2. Mix in the vanilla bean paste and stir thoroughly
3. Cool in the fridge to set for 10 minutes
4. Pour onto the pound cake.