Description
Sweet holiday magic sparkles in this Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake, blending festive seasonal flavors with rich, buttery goodness. Warm spices and tart cranberries create a delightful dessert you’ll crave during winter celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a loaf pan with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cake.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure uniform integration. Blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt through a gentle whisking process to eliminate potential lumps.
- Gradually introduce dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Begin and conclude with dry ingredients to maintain optimal batter consistency.
- Delicately fold cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest into the batter, ensuring even distribution without deflating the mixture.
- Transfer batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for an even bake. Position in preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
- Allow cake to cool completely inside the pan before removing, then slice and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that maintains moisture and adds protein.
- Reduce sugar by using fresh cranberries and adding extra orange zest for natural sweetness and bright flavor.
- Toast cranberries lightly before folding into batter to enhance their nutty, caramelized taste and prevent sinking.
- Make gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend, ensuring the same tender crumb texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 397
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 106 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg