Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cream Cheese Pound Cake, a delightful twist on the traditional recipe, introduces the richness of cream cheese for an incredibly moist, dense texture. This cake, known for its buttery, velvety crumb and golden crust, offers a simple yet elegant flavor profile, perfect for any occasion or a comforting treat.

Tasting Notes

The Cream Cheese Pound Cake offers a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. Its dense crumb provides a satisfying bite, and the subtle tang from the cream cheese adds a delightful twist to the traditional pound cake flavor. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or as a standalone treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Kitchen Equipment

• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• 10-inch bundt pan
• Parchment paper
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease the bundt pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips

• Ensure that the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for a smoother and creamier batter.
• Avoid overmixing the batter once the dry ingredients are added to maintain the cake’s dense texture.
• Experiment with different extracts, such as almond or lemon, for unique flavor variations.

Variations

• Lemon Glaze: Drizzle a simple lemon glaze over the cooled cake for a citrusy twist.
• Chocolate Swirl: Gently fold in chocolate chips or swirl chocolate batter into the plain batter for a chocolate-marbled effect.
• Nutty Delight: Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for a crunchy texture.

FAQs