Rating: 4.5 stars
60 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 38
  • 4 star values: 13
  • 3 star values: 7
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0

This healthy pound cake recipe isn't just delicious—it also only requires one bowl to make. For the best cake texture, be sure to beat the sugar and butter together long enough in Step 2 to look creamy—the time it takes to get there varies according to the type of electric mixer you have. Serve with brunch or alongside a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2016; updated February 2023

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

active:
30 mins
total:
4 hrs
Servings:
8
Advertisement

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.

    Advertisement
  • Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and beat in ricotta, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and vanilla until just combined. Sprinkle flour on top, then evenly sprinkle baking powder and salt over the flour. With the mixer on low speed, beat until almost combined. Add blueberries and gently fold into the batter. Transfer to the prepared pan.

  • Bake the cake until starting to brown around the edges and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen the cake, then invert it onto the rack. Carefully turn it right-side up. Let cool completely.

  • Clean the bowl, add confectioners' sugar and whisk in the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice until smooth. Brush the glaze on the cake.

To make ahead

Wrap cooled cake airtight and store at room temperature for up to 1 day; glaze shortly before serving.

Tip

Room-temperature eggs make cakes fluffier. Here's a quick trick--place them (in the shell) in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

one 1-inch-thick slice
303 calories; protein 8.4g; carbohydrates 44.9g; dietary fiber 3.3g; sugars 24.8g; fat 11g; saturated fat 6.3g; cholesterol 96mg; vitamin a iu 433.3IU; vitamin c 7.3mg; folate 15.4mcg; calcium 148.3mg; iron 3.7mg; magnesium 9mg; potassium 124mg; sodium 318.6mg; added sugar 21g.

1 starch, 1 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 medium-fat meat, 1 1/2 fat

Advertisement