Who doesn’t love the delightful combination of cream cheese and strawberries in a moist and rich pound cake? This recipe for Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake promises to be a showstopper at any gathering or simply a comforting treat for yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this heavenly pound cake, gather the following ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for strawberries)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Batter
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Creaming Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth.
Adding Sugar: Gradually add 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Beat until light and fluffy.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients
Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in vanilla extract.
Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
Preparing Strawberry Swirl
Sweetened Strawberries: In another bowl, toss chopped strawberries with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Mash slightly with a fork to release juices.
Swirling Technique: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Spoon half of the sweetened strawberries over the batter. Use a knife to swirl strawberries gently into the batter.
Repeat with the remaining batter and strawberries.
Baking and Finishing
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving and Storing Tips
Once cooled, slice your Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake and serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Conclusion
Indulge in the decadence of this Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake, where every bite is a perfect balance of creamy richness and fruity sweetness.
Whether for a special occasion or a comforting dessert, this recipe is sure to delight everyone.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before using to avoid excess moisture in the cake batter.
2. How can I prevent my pound cake from sticking to the pan?
Grease your loaf pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour before pouring in the batter.
3. Can I omit the cream cheese or substitute it with something else?
The cream cheese adds richness and moisture to the cake.
If you prefer, you can substitute it with an equal amount of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a similar texture.
4. Can I freeze this pound cake?
Yes, you can freeze this pound cake.
Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container before freezing.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
5. Can I add other fruits to this pound cake recipe?
Absolutely! You can experiment with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even a mix of berries to create your own unique swirl flavors.