Strawberry Swirl Cream cheese Pound Cake | Festive & Easy | Christmas Special 🎄
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups butter, (softened)
- 3 cups sugar
- 226 grams cream cheese, (softened)
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…” cup strawberry glaze
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). There’s something about warming up the oven on a chilly winter day that makes the kitchen feel extra cozy!
2. Make the batter:
- Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter on medium speed until it’s creamy and fluffy. Slowly add in the sugar, one cup at a time, and keep beating until the mixture is light and airy. This step is key to a beautifully textured pound cake!Next, add the cream cheese and beat until smooth and creamy. One by one, mix in the eggs, beating just until blended after each addition. Pro tip: Crack the eggs into a small bowl first to avoid any shell surprises!
3. Add the dry ingredients:
- Gradually add the flour to the wet mixture, beating at low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix, as we want to keep the batter light and fluffy. Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts, and your batter is ready.
4. Layer the batter and glaze:
- Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Pour one-third of the batter into the pan, spreading it evenly. Then dollop about 8 teaspoons of strawberry glaze on top. Grab a wooden skewer or a butter knife and gently swirl the glaze into the batter. Repeat this process for the next layer, and finish with the remaining batter on top.
5. Bake to perfection:
- Bake the cake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a long wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. As the cake bakes, your kitchen will fill with the heavenly aroma of butter, vanilla, and strawberries—pure holiday magic!
6. Cool and serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Once cooled completely, garnish with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for an extra festive touch, or simply slice and serve.