This rich, moist, buttery cake is infused with five different extracts — usually vanilla, lemon, almond, coconut, and rum — to give it deep, layered flavor in every bite. It’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want a show-stopping yet simple dessert.
🍰 Five Flavor Pound Cake
🧁 Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (or use more butter if preferred)
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp coconut extract
- 1 tsp rum extract
For the glaze (optional but classic):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or water
- 1/2 tsp each of the five extracts (or to taste)
🔪 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan
- Preheat to 325°F (163°C).
- Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan thoroughly.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter, Shortening & Sugar
- Beat butter and shortening together until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add sugar and beat for 3–5 minutes until light.
4. Add Eggs
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Alternate Milk & Dry Ingredients
- Add flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with milk in 2 parts.
- Start and end with the flour.
- Mix just until smooth.
6. Add Flavor Extracts
- Stir in all five extracts: vanilla, lemon, almond, coconut, and rum.
7. Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool & Glaze
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
- Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled cake if desired.
✨ Tips for Success:
- Room temp ingredients make a smoother batter.
- Don’t skip greasing the Bundt pan well — those ridges love to cling.
- For extra moisture, brush cake with glaze while it’s still warm.
🧁 Variations:
- Swap rum extract for brandy, maple, or orange for a different twist.
- Add a swirl of cream cheese filling for a rich surprise inside.
- Bake as mini loaves for gifting!