A Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake is a delightful addition to the holiday table. Here’s a recipe that incorporates the festive flavors of cranberries into a classic pound cake:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons orange juice
- Orange zest for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate Mixing:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the sour cream or Greek yogurt. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Cranberries and Orange Zest:
- Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and orange zest into the batter using a spatula or spoon.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze (Optional):
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If using the glaze, mix together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled cake and sprinkle with orange zest if desired.
- Serve:
- Once the glaze has set, slice and serve the Christmas cranberry pound cake.
This festive pound cake boasts the tartness of cranberries combined with the citrusy touch of orange, making it a delightful holiday dessert or snack. Adjust the sweetness by modifying the glaze or adding a dusting of powdered sugar.
