Description
Festive holiday magic sparkles in Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake, blending rich buttery goodness with tart seasonal berries. Sweet comfort meets elegant dessert perfection, inviting winter celebrations and delightful moments shared around warm kitchen tables.
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
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and prepare a loaf pan with a light coating of grease and flour.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy consistency.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure smooth integration. Blend in the vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Create a separate bowl and thoroughly combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisk.
- Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the butter base, alternating with sour cream. Ensure the first and final additions are the dry ingredients, maintaining a consistent, velvety texture.
- Gently fold in the cranberries, along with orange juice and zest, mixing with delicate strokes to distribute evenly without crushing the fruit.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, carefully smoothing the surface to create an even layer.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge completely clean.
- Allow the cake to rest and cool completely within the pan before carefully removing and serving.
Notes
- Prevent cranberries from sinking to the bottom by tossing them in a light dusting of flour before folding into the batter.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum.
- Create a zesty flavor boost by adding extra orange zest or replacing some sour cream with fresh orange juice for enhanced citrusy notes.
- Ensure even baking by rotating the loaf pan halfway through cooking time and covering the top with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg