"The" Pound Cake

This is a recipe I married into; I actually made it the first time when I was engaged and will be making it this afternoon for the 8th year in a row. This is my husband's birthday cake, a recipe passed down from his grandmother. He always wants this simple, old-fashioned, basic pound cake (were I to be picking my birthday pound cake, I'd pick a cream cheese pound cake or something equally decadent, but I have to admit that the simplicity here is delicious).

• 3 sticks softened butter
• 2 1/4 c. sugar
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 c. milk
• 3 c. flour
• 3 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. mace (optional, but I always put it in)
• 1/4 t. salt
• 2 t. vanilla

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Beat 20 minutes all together. 
3. Pour batter into greased and floured tube pan.
4. Put in cold oven. Turn oven to 350 degrees. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes (toothpick test).