John's Pound Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Deluxe Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 package vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1/3 cup of Crisco or margarine
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 (14 oz) can condensed milk
- Tube/Bundt cake pan
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large glass bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Then mix in the remaining wet ingredients.
- Grease your tube cake pan with margarine and dust lightly with flour. Pour in batter and bake in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool for 30 minutes before eating. You could pour thawed frozen strawberries in syrup on the cut slices but, honestly, the taste is so good, who needs it!
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Why is my pound cake dry?
A: Make sure you're measuring the water and condensed milk accurately, and don't overbake. Check with a toothpick at 50 minutes - it should come out clean but the cake should still be moist.
Q: Can I use a different pan?
A: A tube or Bundt pan works best for even baking and the classic pound cake shape. If using a regular cake pan, reduce baking time and check for doneness earlier.
Tips and Techniques
Don’t skip greasing AND flouring the pan - the flour helps the cake release cleanly. Let it cool the full 30 minutes before trying to remove it from the pan to prevent breaking.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Crisco or margarine: butter or vegetable oil
- vanilla instant pudding mix: other pudding flavors like lemon or butterscotch
Equipment Needed
- tube pan or Bundt pan
- large glass mixing bowl
- electric mixer or whisk






