Perfect Pound Cake

2 sticks butter 3 cups flour

1/2 c. Crisco 1/4 tsp. salt

3 cups sugar 1/4 tsp. baking powder

5 eggs

1 cup milk 2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. lemon flavor 1/2 tsp. almond flavor*

Cream the butter, Crisco, sugar. (Now we're feeling healthy!) Mix in eggs. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine milk and flavorings. Alternate mixing in dry/liquid ingredients to the butter mixture. Pour batter into a greased, fluted metal pan.

Place in a COLD oven. Turn heat to 325 degrees. Bake approx. 1 hour 20 minutes.

*Depending on the flavor you prefer, you can always increase the almond or lemon flavorings to suit your taste. It is flavorful enough to serve without any topping, but be my guest and add whatever your heart desires.

This recipe is originally from Southern Living, but passed to me by my dear friend Leslie who is a master cook. It is basically no-fail.

What's your favorite topping for pound cake?