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:
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.
