Do you mean the pound cake domes on the top and then cracks? If so, that's normal. Are you baking the pound cake in a loaf or a cake pan? Pound cake is generally baked in a loaf pan.

The link below will give you a lot more information about pound cake science.

-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Baking 911 - Butter/Pound Cakes

Grainlady, Thanks for the response. Yes, that's exactly what I mean, its almost like an air pocket at the top. But this is new (since I got a new stove). It taste the same, but I really like a pound cake to sit on the plate 'top up".
Thanks for the link, I'll check it out now.
Loretta

Have you checked your new oven with an oven thermometer to see if the temperature is correct? It may need to be recalibrated. It could be too hot if this has just started happening with your new oven. There shouldn't be any air pockets.

-Grainlady

Loretta:
I was going to suggest checking the oven temperature but she beat me to it.
It may be too hot.

Karen:
You could have waited a few more minutes. LOL !!!
Lou

OR the new oven isnt really preheated to the proper temp yet. We just recently had a discussion on this subject.

Are you letting the oven preheat for a good 30 minutes before putting the cake in?

I have one of those ovens like Shaun's. My old one pre-heated in 10 minutes or so, but my new one takes about half an hour and even when the temperature display SAYS 350, it isn't.

So, if you haven't adjusted to the preheat cycle of your new stove, that could be it too.

Annie

Lou - I'm still a pretty fast typist - 80-95 wpm, but I'm not so good at mind reading (LOL). Sorry I beat you to the punch. At least we're on the same page....

-Grainlady

Ladies, you all rock! When the stove beeped (to indicate it was at 325 degrees) I checked and it was reading approx 315 degrees! From now on I'll let it pre-heat longer as you suggested. I'm dancing around the room 'cause pretty cakes are gonna come out now, lol
Loretta

Loretta, my stove does that too, it took me forever to figure out that when it beeped at 350, it was actually about 318.

sigh. And it's a new stove. Granted, it's the cheapest one I could buy, (because I was a single Mom then and so broke I couldn't even pay attention) but it's only about 3 years old, sheesh.

May all your future cakes be perfect.

Annie

So would you mind sharing the recipe?

Loretta:
Is your oven electric ? 10 degrees doesn't seem like it should cause that problem.
Unless it is still preheating and the top burner is still red when you put it in the oven.
This may cause the top of the Batter to Crust over and bake before it rises.

Just a thought !!!
- - - - - - - - -

There must be something wrong with mine.

When it beeped at 325 Deg. preheat. I peeped in at the Thermometer, it read 325 Deg.
Lou

Yes, it is electric and to be honest, I have not noticed if the element is still red when I put it in.

Here's the recipe. I found it on Recipezaar and have used it for years. I've found that it will overflow a regular bundt pan, so I bake it in a large tube (12 cup??). It takes me approx 1 hour 20 minutes in my new stove.

Whipping Cream Cake Recipe #4141

Cake

1 cup butter
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 cups cake flour, sifted
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon extract (or almond or rum--whatever you feel like)

Cream butter and sugar in mixer bowl until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, flour, and whipping cream-mix well.
Stir in flavorings.
Spoon into a greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for about an hour or until cake tests done. Cool in the pan for several minutes.
Invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Garnish with powdered sugar, berry sauce, ice cream, or whatever strikes your fancy.
It is also excellent "unadorned."

© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com

When we got my brand new stove for the kitchen remodel it was 25° off. And that was a top of the line Wolf! And it takes forever to preheat. At least a half hour. DH, the engineer, thinks it is because the heating unit in the bottom of a stove is not out in the open, like old stoves, but is completely covered by a plate of steel so takes longer to preheat. Just the government watching out for us so we don't burn ourselves.
Clare

Clair:
I think your husband may be right.
Mine has a heating element, top and bottom.
Top, I use for Broiling.
Both elements are exposed. Like I said; on mine, when the Preheat goes to Bake at 350 Degrees, the inside temperature is 350 Degrees.

Bonnie :
Give your oven a test . Set it at 300 Deg. When the it goes to Bake, check the inside Temp.
See if it is the same or lower.
If it is lower , it is still heating and probably the top element is Hot. ???
Lou

If I don't wait for the Preheat light to go off, the top burner is still Bright Red.
Putting a cake in then, would cook the top in minutes.

Thus , maybe a raised Crust !!!
LOU

Loretta:
I made a boo boo. It was supposed to be you in the last thread , not Bonnie.

Clare:
Try turning it to 500 Degrees, when you preheat.
Maybe it will heat faster. LOL !!!!! LOL!!!!!!

I love it !!!

LOU