Why is a pound cake called a pound cake when it doesn't even weigh a pound in the store when you buy it?

daBomb619

It is made with a pound of butter, a pound of flour, a pound of sugar and a pound of eggs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_cake Oct 13 09, 7:11 PM

BRY2K

A pound cake is a simple loaf cake made from equal parts flour, butter, sugar and eggs. It gets its name from the original recipe, which first appeared in English and American cookbooks in the 18th century, and which called for a pound of each of the principal ingredients. The French name quatre-quarts, four quarters, comes from the fact that the cake is made from equal weights of its four main ingredients. In English it is called "pound cake" for the same reason: originally the recipe included one pound each of flour, sugar, butter and eggs. http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/pound-cake/ http://www.cookthink.com/reference/2465/Why_is_it_called_a_pound_cake (Or maybe it is just deception by big American business...take your pick!) Oct 13 09, 7:13 PM

29CoveRoad

so the weight is a lie it dosen't weight a pound? Oct 13 09, 7:16 PM

BRY2K

I guess so. Oct 13 09, 7:17 PM

Zbeckabee

I don't think it's a secret plot to destroy the world: Pound cake refers to a type of cake traditionally made with a pound of each of four ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. However, the quantity is often changed to suit the size of the cake that is desired. As long as the ratio is preserved, the resulting cake will generally be very similar to that using the traditional quantities. Hence, any cake made with a 1:1:1:1 ratio of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar is also called a pound cake, even if the quantity used is smaller or larger than a pound. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_cake Also see #21379: http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question21379.html Oct 13 09, 7:23 PM

Baloo55th

Probably doesn't cost a pound either.... Oct 14 09, 4:55 AM