The Ultimate Cream Cheese Pound Cake: A Bakery-Style Delight
A Detailed Guide to Baking Perfection
Discovering the Magic of Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Pound cakes have been a classic dessert for centuries, known for their dense, moist texture and rich flavor. What makes this Mile High Cream Cheese Pound Cake stand out is the incorporation of cream cheese into the batter, creating a smooth and velvety crumb. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and adorned with sugar pearls, this dessert is a showstopper for any occasion.
This Pound Cake Stands Out
The secret lies in its ingredients and method. With a combination of butter and cream cheese, this cake achieves an unbeatable texture—light, moist, and full of flavor. The dual extracts of vanilla and almond add a depth of flavor that’s irresistible.
Key Features:
Rich Cream Cheese Flavor: Infused in both the cake and the frosting.
Perfect Texture: Dense yet airy, thanks to careful mixing and high-quality ingredients.
Elegant Presentation: Decorated with cream cheese frosting and optional sugar pearls for added charm.
Essential Baking Tips for Success
Preparing the Ingredients
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, ensure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This allows for even mixing and a smooth batter.
Measure Accurately: Precision is key in baking. Use measuring cups for dry ingredients and a kitchen scale for better accuracy when needed.
Perfecting the Technique
Creaming the Butter and Sugar: Take your time with this step. Beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar for about five minutes to incorporate air, which contributes to the cake’s height and lightness.
Adding Eggs One at a Time: Mixing the eggs in one by one ensures even distribution and a stable batter.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients Gradually: Adding the flour mixture slowly prevents overmixing, which can lead to a dense cake.
Baking the Cake
Preheating the Oven: Always preheat to 325°F to ensure consistent baking.
Greasing the Pan Thoroughly: Use a nonstick baking spray for an even coating.
Checking Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean.
Cooling: Allow the cake to rest for 20 minutes before removing it from the pan, and let it cool completely before frosting.
Why This Cake Is Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or a casual tea party, this cream cheese pound cake is versatile enough to suit any event. Its rich flavor and elegant appearance make it a crowd-pleaser.
Part 2: Simplified Recipe
Preparation Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Pound Cake:
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups granulated sugar
2 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
10 large eggs (room temperature)
12 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
For the Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sugar pearls (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Batter
Preheat your oven to 325°F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and beat until fluffy (about 5 minutes).
Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure the batter is evenly mixed.
Step 2: Baking the Cake
Spray an 18-cup bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
Pour the batter into the pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.
Step 3: Preparing the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Decorating the Cake
Spread or pipe the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
If desired, sprinkle sugar pearls for an elegant touch.
Enjoy!
Your homemade cream cheese pound cake is ready to impress. Share it with loved ones or savor it as a well-deserved treat for yourself.
