Kool-Aid's unsweetened drink mix packs add vibrant color and flavor to this dense and rich pound cake. It tastes just like childhood! Grab the kids to do a fun science experiment before making the cake.
5 packs (0.65oz) cherry Kool-Aid unsweetened drink mix
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup whole milk
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, room temperature
6 cups powdered sugar (or 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar)
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 large eggs, room temperature
4 1/2 cups cake flour
Preheat oven to 300°F. Place a large bowl in your sink and add Kool-Aid, baking soda, and milk. Let it bubble, stirring occasionally, until all the bubbles have burst. Prepare Old Country Kitchenware square tube pan by brushing with pan coat (if using two piece pan, fit with a parchment paper square between the two pieces first). Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until pale, light and fluffy (about 6 minutes at medium speed). Add baking powder and 1/2 cup flour, beat until combined. With the mixer running on low, add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Alternate adding the flour and milk mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix each addition of flour just until it disappears before adding more liquid. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and beat for another 10 seconds. Pour batter into prepared tube pan and gently shake to settle the batter. Place on middle rack of oven with a baking sheet on the rack below it to catch any drips. Bake 2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let cool until the pan is comfortable enough to handle. (If using two-piece pan, place it over a metal can and press down to remove the outer piece first). Transfer the cake to a wire rack in two steps: first, turn the cake up on its side, then invert fully. Let cool completely.
Cherry Kool-Aid Glaze
1 pack (0.13 oz) cherry Kool-Aid unsweetened drink mix
4 cups powdered sugar
4-5 tablespoons water, milk, or juice
With an electric mixer, beat together Kool-Aid, powdered sugar, and liquid. Add liquid a tiny splash at a time until desired consistency. If a thicker icing is desired, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time. If a thinner icing is desired, add more liquid, one teaspoon at a time. Slowly drizzle over cooled cake.
