Food,  Life

Pound Cake for the Twins in My Life

This is a story of pound cake. And twins. Because they simply go together in my life.

Do you have twins in your life? I have always been mesmerized by twins. My grandfather was a twin. My grandmother had twin sisters. There were two sets of twins in my tiny graduating class…Connie, Bonnie, Ronnie, Donnie. I always could tell them apart. Knew who was a left hander, who was a right hander.

Today’s post is about another set of twins.

You see, MANY years ago, a cousin introduced me to this man who I love and married and is my best friend. AND, guess what.

He was a twin.

He had a twin sister. I learned he was the left hander and she was the right hander. I entered a new world of what it meant to watch adult twins interact as they grew older.

We live in the same small town. After we married, during early baby years, children growing years, career building years–they only saw each other at work when they worked at the family business for a few years, or holidays. Christmases were always spent together.

And then there were birthdays.

Can I tell you that no birthday is ever celebrated without the other? THE birthday is ALWAYS celebrated with the pound cake. Each one of them having their own. And, since her daughter’s birthday is two days from theirs, I now make three pound cakes each year.

This year was no different. All three cakes made. That crunchy bit on the top met with approval.

They all have ways to manage that cake. Sliced to savor for future use…tucked into ziplocs and into the freezer. They all know how to warm for the perfect piece in the microwave and enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot tea.

And the accolades continue each time they enjoy a piece. Thank yous by text. Each text blesses me…every time.

This year, I found a new way to “gift” those cakes. Dollar Tree has the most amazing cake keepers. So, out came their names in vinyl to add to the sides. Just a special way to “wrap” each pound cake for delivery and make that gift feel more special.

How many of you get what it’s like to be married to a twin?

I’d love to hear your stories.

It’s a truly special world. At times, I just sit back and watch. Even though they are vastly different, fraternal and different sexes, there are so many similarities that amaze me.

Things like being referred to as the “twins”; and, yet, keeping their identity intact.

At times, pulling out the same mechanical pencil. Or ink pen. Buying coats that are identical black, down coats without the other knowing.

So, there are little ways that catch me off guard.

There are the stories of when their mother found out she was pregnant with twins. Then, there are stories about which older sister was in charge of which twin. Of their antics. His, as the entertainer, even as a baby.

Now today, as adults, we continue that twin dance with dinners in, burgers grilled to put away in the freezer, meals out (covid style), and conversations that occur like clockwork. Calls at 9:30 every Sunday morning. Calls on her way to work. Evening calls that check to see how we are doing.

It’s a special connection.

I try and give them space. There’s definitely a twin thing that occurs that I can appreciate.

It has been my joy to follow the journey. Chuckle when a new similarity appears. Give space when needed for the two of them to share conversation and time. Watch the dance. Observe the interaction. Appreciate the world of twins.

I have already shared this pound cake on the blog, but today, to make it easier for you to find it again, here it is. Don’t forget to pin it so you don’t lose it! It’s a keeper. A bit of warning before you make it: it’s addictive! As a result, I promise you, you will be making it again!

Aunt Helen’s Pound Cake

This is the favorite family cake that is always the one chosen for birthdays!
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Bundt pan- I actually love using an angel food cake pan for this recipe.
  • mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Eggs
  • 3 C. Sugar
  • 1/2 lb. Butter softened
  • 1 t. Vanilla
  • 1/2 t. Almond Extract
  • 3 C. All purpose flour
  • 1/8 t. Baking soda
  • 1 C. Sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Mix together flour and baking soda and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Grease bundt pan.
  • Cream together butter and sugar with mixer.
  • Add eggs one at a time and continue beating. Add vanilla and almond extract.
  • Alternate adding flour mixture and sour cream into the mixture until very smooth.
  • Pour mixture into greased bundt pan.
  • Place into preheated oven for 5 minutes at 400 degrees, and then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until tester comes out clean.
  • Cool for a few minutes before trying to release from the pan.

Notes

This is the favorite family birthday cake! Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. It freezes beautifully! 
Enjoy!
 
TIP: I love using an angel food cake pan that I inherited from my Mother in law. Because of the straight sides and two pieces, it makes removing it from the pan so much easier.
 
Keyword birthday cake, pound cake

As I shared in the recipe, my favorite pan to use for this recipe is a two piece angel food cake pan. Again, that’s part of the legacy that goes with this recipe. I’ve tried to make pound cake in mini bundt pans, larger bundt pans and even silicone bundt pans; but, none of them quite provide the cake that we have all come to love.

I hope you’ll enjoy this recipe. Our birthday favorite. Perhaps, it will be your favorite one, too, whether you are cooking for twins, or not.

Enjoy those birthdays, friend. Celebrate abundantly. Life is too fleeting not to have more celebrations with those you love.

(Affiliate link included for your convenience. The price is the same for you with easier shopping. See my disclosure policy.)

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