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A slice of blue velvet swirl vanilla pound cake. | lilicooks.com
Cultural and Historical Context
Pound cake is a classic Southern favorite originally made with a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. The blue velvet version owes its name and inspiration to the more famous red velvet cake. Using butterfly pea powder brings a Southeast Asian twist and gives the cake its unique sapphire hue.
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Pro Tips
For bold blue marbling always use high quality butterfly pea powder and do not skimp on quantity or your color will be muted
Be gentle with the swirling step too many swirls will muddy the colors rather than creating pretty ribbons
Room temperature butter eggs and cream are crucial for a dense yet soft pound cake skipping this makes the batter seize
Recipe FAQs
→ How does butterfly pea powder affect the cake?
Butterfly pea powder gives the cake its striking blue color without altering the classic vanilla flavor, making it visually appealing.
→ Why is heavy cream used in the batter?
Heavy cream adds extra moisture and richness, resulting in a tender, buttery crumb texture for the pound cake.
→ Can I substitute salted butter with unsalted?
Yes, unsalted butter works well. Consider adding a small pinch of salt to enhance flavor if using unsalted butter.
→ What type of glaze pairs best with this cake?
A simple vanilla or cream cheese glaze complements the flavors and enhances both texture and taste.
→ How can I achieve distinct swirls when baking?
Layer the blue velvet batter atop a portion of the vanilla batter, then gently swirl with a knife before baking for a marbled effect.