Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share the best recipes from around the world. Today, we are going to show you how to make a Guyana pound cake, a rich and moist dessert that is popular in the South American country of Guyana. This cake is also known as sponge cake or butter cake, and it has a simple but satisfying flavor that goes well with any topping or sauce. Whether you want to enjoy it plain, with whipped cream, or with some fresh fruits, this cake will not disappoint you.
A Guyana pound cake is a variation of the classic pound cake, which originated in Europe and was named for its original ingredients: one pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The Guyana version uses cream cheese instead of butter, which gives it a more tender and moist texture. It also adds some lemon zest and vanilla extract for extra flavor. Some people like to add food coloring to the batter and swirl it with a knife to create a marble effect. This is optional, but it makes the cake more festive and fun.
What You Need to Make a Guyana Pound Cake
Ingredients
To make a Guyana pound cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 grams) of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of grated lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: food coloring in red and green
Equipment
You will also need the following equipment:
- A 9-inch (23 cm) bundt cake pan or a loaf pan
- A large mixing bowl
- An electric mixer or a whisk
- A rubber spatula
- A knife
- A cooling rack
- A wire whisk or a fork
- A small bowl
- A measuring cup or a spoon
- A toothpick or a skewer
How to Make a Guyana Pound Cake: Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the pan
Before you start making the batter, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease your bundt cake pan or loaf pan with some shortening or cooking spray. You can also line the pan with some parchment paper for easier removal. Set the pan aside while you make the batter.
Step 2: Cream the cream cheese and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer or a whisk until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. This step is important to create a smooth and creamy texture for your cake.
Step 3: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and lemon zest and mix well. The batter should be smooth and pale yellow.
Step 4: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined. Do not overmix the batter or your cake will be tough.
Step 5: Optional: Add food coloring and swirl the batter
If you want to make a marble effect on your cake, divide the batter into three equal portions. Leave one portion plain, and add some red food coloring to another portion and some green food coloring to the last portion. Mix well until you get your desired colors.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan in alternating colors. Then use a knife to swirl the batter gently to create a marble pattern. Do not overmix or you will lose the contrast between the colors.
Step 6: Bake the cake
Bake your cake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick or a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If you are using a loaf pan, you may need to bake your cake for longer, about 50 to 60 minutes.
Let the cake cool slightly in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a cooling rack and let it cool completely.
How to Serve and Store a Guyana Pound Cake
How to serve a Guyana pound cake
A Guyana pound cake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with some whipped cream, powdered sugar, or your favorite sauce. Some popular toppings for pound cake are:
- Lemon glaze: Whisk together some powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over the cake.
- Chocolate ganache: Heat some heavy cream in a small saucepan until simmering, then pour over some chopped chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy and pour over the cake.
- Fresh fruits: Slice some strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or any other fruits you like and arrange them on top of the cake. You can also add some mint leaves for a pop of color.
How to store a Guyana pound cake
You can store your Guyana pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze your cake for up to 3 months. To freeze your cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. To thaw your cake, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.
Table Breakdown: Guyana Pound Cake vs. Other Pound Cakes
Pound cakes are popular desserts in many countries and regions, and they have different variations depending on the ingredients and flavors used. Here is a table breakdown that compares Guyana pound cake with some other types of pound cakes:
| Type of Pound Cake |
Main Ingredients |
Flavor and Texture |
| Guyana Pound Cake |
Cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, lemon zest, vanilla extract |
Tender, moist, buttery, slightly tangy |
| Classic Pound Cake |
Butter, sugar, eggs, flour |
Dense, rich, buttery, sweet |
| Sour Cream Pound Cake |
Sour cream, butter, sugar, eggs, flour |
Moist, soft, buttery, slightly tangy |
| Cream Cheese Pound Cake |
Cream cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, flour |
Creamy, velvety, buttery, sweet |
| Lemon Pound Cake |
Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, lemon juice, lemon zest |
Bright, citrusy, moist, sweet-tart |
| Chocolate Pound Cake |
Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips or chunks |
Chocolatey, fudgy, rich, decadent |
| Marble Pound Cake |
Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder or food coloring (for the swirls) |
Dense, rich, buttery, sweet with contrasting colors and flavors |
FAQ: Guyana Pound Cake Recipe
What is the difference between Guyana pound cake and sponge cake?
Guyana pound cake and sponge cake are both types of cakes that have a light and airy texture. However, they have different methods of making and ingredients. Sponge cake relies on whipped egg whites to create air bubbles in the batter and has no added fat. Guyana pound cake uses cream cheese as the main fat source and beats the whole eggs with sugar to create aeration. Sponge cake is usually drier and lighter than Guyana pound cake.
Can I use regular cream cheese instead of softened cream cheese?
No. You need to use softened cream cheese for this recipe because it will blend better with the sugar and eggs. If you use cold cream cheese straight from the fridge,
it will be lumpy and hard to mix. To soften cream cheese quickly,
you can microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds or cut it into small pieces
and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Can I use margarine instead of butter-flavored shortening?
Yes. You can use margarine instead of butter-flavored shorteningto grease the pan. However, margarine has a lower melting point than shortening and may make the cake more greasy and less crispy. Shortening also helps the cake rise better and creates a finer crumb. If you want to use butter instead of shortening, you can do so, but you may need to reduce the amount of sugar slightly to prevent the cake from browning too much.
How can I tell if my Guyana pound cake is done?
The best way to tell if your Guyana pound cake is done is to insert a toothpick or a skewer in the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it has some moist crumbs attached, that is fine, but if it has wet batter, that means the cake is not done yet and needs more baking time. You can also check the color of the cake and see if it is golden brown on top and around the edges. Do not overbake your cake or it will become dry and tough.
Why did my Guyana pound cake crack on top?
It is normal for some pound cakes to crack on top during baking. This is because the crust forms faster than the center, which continues to rise and expand until it reaches its peak. The crack does not affect the taste or texture of the cake, and you can cover it with some glaze or topping if you want. To prevent or minimize cracking, you can try lowering the oven temperature slightly, placing the pan in the lower third of the oven, or using a lighter-colored pan that reflects heat better.
Why did my Guyana pound cake sink in the middle?
There are several possible reasons why your Guyana pound cake sank in the middle after baking. Some of them are:
- You opened the oven door too early or too often, which caused a sudden change in temperature and pressure that deflated the cake.
- You used too much leavening agent (baking powder), which created too many air bubbles that collapsed when they cooled down.
- You did not mix the batter well enough, which left some pockets of air or flour that did not bake evenly.
- You used expired or low-quality ingredients, which affected the chemical reactions and stability of the batter.
To avoid these problems, you should follow the recipe instructions carefully, measure your ingredients accurately, use fresh and high-quality ingredients, mix your batter just until combined, and bake your cake in a preheated oven without opening the door until it is almost done.
How can I make my Guyana pound cake more moist?
If your Guyana pound cake turned out dry or crumbly, you can try some of these tips to make it more moist:
- Add some sour cream or yogurt to the batter, which will add more moisture and tanginess to the cake.
- Brush some simple syrup (a mixture of sugar and water boiled until dissolved) over the warm cake, which will soak into the cake and make it sweeter and softer.
- Store your cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, which will prevent it from drying out.
- Microwave your cake for a few seconds before serving, which will restore some moisture and warmth to the cake.
Can I make a vegan version of Guyana pound cake?
Yes. You can make a vegan version of Guyana pound cake by substituting some of the ingredients with plant-based alternatives. For example, you can use vegan cream cheese (made from soy, cashew, almond, or coconut), vegan butter or oil, flax eggs (a mixture of ground flax seeds and water), and non-dairy milk. You can also add some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to help with the leavening and flavor. However, keep in mind that these substitutions may alter the texture and taste of your cake slightly.
Can I make a gluten-free version of Guyana pound cake?
Yes. You can make a gluten-free version of Guyana pound cake by replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum or guar gum. These gums help bind the ingredients together and create a similar structure to gluten. You can also add some almond flour or oat flour for extra flavor and nutrition. However, be aware that gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than wheat flour, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe accordingly.
Can I add some nuts or dried fruits to my Guyana pound cake?
Yes. You can add some nuts or dried fruits to your Guyana pound cake for some extra crunch and flavor. Some good options are walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, raisins, cranberries, cherries, or apricots. You can chop them finely and fold them into the batter, or sprinkle them on top of the cake before baking. However, do not add too much or your cake will become heavy and dense. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 1/4 cup of nuts or dried fruits per cup of flour.
Can I freeze my Guyana pound cake?
Yes. You can freeze your Guyana pound cake for up to 3 months. To freeze your cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. To thaw your cake, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Guyana Pound Cake
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make a Guyana pound cake. This cake is a delicious and easy dessert that you can make with simple ingredients and enjoy with your family and friends. It is also a great way to learn about the culture and cuisine of Guyana, a diverse and beautiful country in South America.
If you liked this recipe, you may also want to check out our other articles on how to make other types of cakes, such as carrot cake, cheesecake, or chocolate cake. You can also browse our blog for more tips and tricks on baking, cooking, and food in general. Thank you for reading and happy baking!