This Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake is a festive and flavorful dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with the richness of a classic pound cake. Here’s how to make it:
Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration (Optional):
- Additional cranberries
- Orange zest
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- a. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
2. Prepare the Cranberries:
- a. If using fresh cranberries, chop them coarsely. If using frozen, make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid.
3. Make the Pound Cake:
- a. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- b. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- c. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- d. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- e. Fold in the chopped cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Bake:
- a. Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top.
- b. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- c. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make the Glaze:
- a. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Glaze the Cake:
- a. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.
7. Decorate (Optional):
- a. Garnish the top of the cake with additional cranberries and orange zest for a festive touch.
8. Serve:
- a. Slice and serve your Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake. Enjoy the delightful blend of flavors!
This Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake is a beautiful and tasty addition to your holiday dessert table. The cranberries add a burst of color and a hint of tartness to the rich pound cake.
