The use of pounds to weigh cakes in certain regions, particularly in the United States and some other countries, is primarily due to historical and cultural reasons.
Tradition: The pound is an old unit of weight that has been used for centuries in English-speaking countries. It was widely used in trade and commerce, and this tradition has carried over to various aspects of daily life, including baking.
Culinary heritage: Many traditional recipes for cakes and other baked goods have been passed down through generations, and they often use measurements in pounds and ounces. As a result, bakers and home cooks in these regions are more accustomed to using pounds when referring to quantities for baking.
Familiarity and convenience: People in regions where the imperial system is prevalent are more familiar with pounds as a unit of weight in their daily lives. It can be more convenient to continue using familiar measurements when baking, especially for home bakers who are comfortable with the traditional recipes.
Limited adoption of metric system: The United States is one of the few countries that has not fully adopted the metric system as the official system of measurement. While the metric system is used in certain fields and industries, including scientific and medical contexts, the customary system (which includes pounds and ounces) is still widely used in everyday life.
In contrast, many other countries, particularly those in Europe and other parts of the world, use the metric system, including kilograms, for most measurements, including baking recipes.
It's worth noting that there is a growing trend toward using metric measurements, including kilograms, in baking, especially in professional settings and with the rise of standardized recipes online. However, in some cases, the use of pounds for cakes and other baked goods remains a cultural practice tied to historical conventions and regional preferences.