Delicious Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake Recipe

A slice of cake with a steaming cup of tea is synonymous with comfort and warmth. But what if I told you there was a way to elevate this classic treat to new heights? Look no further than the Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake recipe.

Pound cake is a staple in British baking, and this recipe is perfect for those who love the tangy and sweet flavour of cranberries. With a tender crumb and hints of orange, this cake is perfect for any occasion, but especially during the holiday season.

The simplicity of this recipe also makes it ideal for beginner bakers, but experienced bakers looking for a new twist on an old classic will appreciate it too. So, let’s get started on whipping up a delicious Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake that will impress your friends and family alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cranberry glazed pound cake is perfect for any occasion, but it’s especially fitting for the holiday season. If you’re looking to wow your guests, this recipe is sure to do just that. Here are a few reasons why you’ll fall in love with this cake:

Firstly, it has a wonderfully moist and tender crumb, giving it a delightful texture that melts in your mouth. It’s baked with a mix of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda that work together to create that perfect pound cake texture.

Secondly, the combination of sweet and tart flavors in this recipe is truly divine. The tangy taste of fresh cranberries mixed with sweet granulated sugar creates the perfect blend of flavors. Plus, the addition of orange juice and zest adds a subtle yet refreshing citrus flavor that complements the cranberries perfectly.

Thirdly, the glaze recipe included in this recipe takes the cake to another level! The cranberry glaze adds an extra layer of tartness while being perfectly sweet at the same time.

Lastly, this recipe is highly versatile. You can make substitutions or variations as per your preferences or ingredient availability. For example, you can add white chocolate chips or fresh lemon juice and zest instead of orange.

Overall, this cranberry glazed pound cake is not only delicious but also visually appealing. Its beautiful deep red color makes it look festive and inviting on any dessert table. You’re sure to love this cake just as much as I do!

Ingredient List

Before diving into the steps, it is important that you prepare all of the necessary ingredients for this Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake recipe. Here’s what you need:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Optional: 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

For the Cranberry Glaze:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 to 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Note that certain ingredients can be substituted depending on your preference or taste buds. So once you have all these ingredients in hand, it’s now time to follow these easy steps.

The Recipe How-To

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Before starting with the recipe, it is always a good idea to gather all the needed ingredients. For this Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake, you need butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, and salt. You also need fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice and zest for a citrusy twist.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)

Before you start with anything else, make sure that your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cake gets baked evenly without leaving any raw spots.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This helps in incorporating air into the mixture resulting in a lighter cake.

Step 4: Add eggs one at a time

Add in eggs one at a time into the creamed butter-sugar mixture. Beat each egg thoroughly before adding the next one to avoid curdling of the mixture.

Step 5: Add orange zest and mix

Add in orange zest to give the cake an underlying citrusy flavor. Mix well till it’s well dispersed.

Step 6: Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together

In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder thoroughly. This step makes sure that everything is evenly mixed resulting in a more uniform texture of your final cake.

Step 7: Fold in flour mixture alternating with sour cream

Once you have mixed the dry ingredients separately from wet, it’s time to combine them. Alternatively fold in flour mixture and sour cream just until everything is well combined as over-mixing can result in a tough cake.

Step 8: Fold in fresh or frozen cranberries

Fold in fresh or frozen cranberries to the batter giving the cake a festive and bright pop of color.

Step 9: Bake for 55-60 minutes

Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. Pour the batter into it and smooth the top with a spoon. Put it in the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Step 10: Prepare orange cranberry glaze

Meanwhile, prepare your Orange Cranberry Glaze in a small saucepan by mixing together orange juice, cranberries, and sugar until it thickens.

Step 11: Remove cake from oven and let cool

Once baked, remove cake pan from the oven and let it cool for around 10-15 minutes.

Step 12: Pour glaze over cooled cake

Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen its grip on the cake to release it easily onto a plate. Spoon your prepared cranberry glaze recipe ingredients over

Substitutions and Variations

If you’re looking to switch things up with this Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake recipe, there are a few substitutions and variations that you can make. One of the simplest is using different types of fruit in the glaze or in the cake batter itself. For example, instead of cranberries, you could try making a lemon cranberry pound cake by using lemon zest and/or juice in place of the orange zest and juice. Or, you could experiment with other fresh fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries.

If you’re looking for a Christmassy twist on the recipe, consider adding some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the cake batter. You could also mix in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture.

For a decadent twist on the glaze, try using white chocolate instead of powdered sugar. Simply melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips with ¼ cup of heavy cream and pour the mixture over the cooled cake. Top with fresh cranberries for an elegant and festive touch.

If you prefer a more tangy flavor profile, consider making an orange cranberry sour cream pound cake. Replace half of the butter in the recipe with sour cream and use freshly squeezed orange juice in the glaze instead of water. Top with candied orange slices for a beautiful and flavorful garnish.

Lastly, if you’re short on time or ingredients, consider using a boxed cake mix as a base for this recipe. Simply follow the instructions on the box to prepare the cake batter and then add diced cranberries or cranberry sauce to it before baking.

No matter which variation you choose, be sure to adjust your cook time as needed and keep an eye on your oven temperature to ensure that your pound cake comes out moist and delicious every time!

Serving and Pairing

If you’re serving this cranberry glazed pound cake during the holidays, consider pairing it with a hot cup of tea, coffee or mulled wine to add a festive touch. The tartness of the cranberry pairs perfectly with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Additionally, a dollop of whipped cream can add an extra layer of indulgence to this already decadent dessert.

If you’re short on time, you can also serve this cake as a dessert alongside other holiday favorites, such as gingerbread cookies or pumpkin pie.

If you’re looking for a twist on the traditional cranberry and orange flavor combination, try serving this cake with lemon curd or white chocolate ganache. The tangy lemon or creamy white chocolate will provide a nice contrast to the sweet and tart flavor of the cranberries.

No matter how you choose to serve it, be sure to cut the slices thick enough for each person to get at least one whole cranberry in their piece. After all, that’s the star ingredient in this delightful cake!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

Making this cranberry glazed pound cake ahead of time is a great idea if you want to have a stress-free dessert during an event. Once the cake is cooled, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to five days.

To reheat the cake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the unwrapped cake on a baking sheet before placing it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This will help maintain its moistness and freshness.

If you’ve frosted the cake, it is best not to freeze it as the cream cheese frosting might not hold up well after thawing. If you have leftovers or simply want to store them for another day, place them in an airtight container or cover the cake with plastic wrap but skip frosting it.

As for the cranberry glaze, you can make it ahead of time and store it refrigerated in a lidded container up to three days ahead of serving. When ready to serve, let the glaze come to room temperature and whisk until smooth. You can even heat it slightly in the microwave for about 10 seconds before drizzling over the cake.

With these helpful tips, you can easily make your cranberry glazed pound cake ahead of time and enjoy it without any hassle!

Tips for Perfect Results

To ensure that your Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake comes out perfect every time, I have a few tips to share with you.

1. Use fresh cranberries:

For the best flavor and texture, it’s recommended to use fresh cranberries rather than canned or dried ones. The tartness of fresh cranberries balances the sweetness of the pound cake, making a perfect combination.

2. Let the butter and cream cheese soften at room temperature:

When baking, it’s always important to use softened butter and cream cheese. Softened butter will easily blend with sugar and give your cake a moist texture while cream cheese softening eases it beating into a smooth texture.

3. Don’t overmix the batter:

Once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cake.

4. Use orange zest:

Adding orange zest to the batter gives it a unique flavor and also complements the tartness of the cranberries. It’s an excellent way to elevate the cranberry taste.

5. Do not underbake or overbake:

Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake is baked for about an hour in an oven preheated 350°F, and careful timing is crucial. An under-baked cake will result in a collapsed center, while an overbaked cake will be dry.

6. Decorate with fresh cranberries for presentation:

A great way to make your Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake even more mouthwatering is by using fresh cranberries to decorate its glaze topping.

By following these tips, you’ll make sure that your Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake turns out perfect every time!

FAQ

Now that you know how to make a scrumptious Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake, it is natural to have some questions regarding the recipe. In this section, we aim to answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about this delectable dessert. Whether you are wondering about substitutions, leftovers, or storage tips for your pound cake – you’ll find all of your answers in this section. Without further ado, let’s dive into it.

How do I make sure my pound cake is moist?

Achieving a moist and tender pound cake can be more simple than you think. One technique I particularly enjoy is introducing a bit of milk (you can use buttermilk, heavy whipping cream, or half and half) and baking powder to the batter. The combination creates a magical effect, producing a pound cake with an incredibly soft texture.

What is Elvis Presley pound cake?

The Sterns obtained a recipe for pound cake that was dear to Elvis, given to them by his childhood friend, Janelle McComb, on the tenth anniversary of his passing in 1987. As per the Sterns, every Christmas, McComb would bake two loaves of this cake and take them to Graceland.

Why is my pound cake not moist?

When a cake turns out dry, it’s possible that it was left in the oven for too long or there was an imbalance in the ingredients. The latter could be due to an excessive amount of flour or an inadequate amount of butter and sugar. In such scenarios, adjusting the oven temperature or removing the cake earlier can save it from being too desiccated.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, why settle for a boring plain pound cake or a predictable fruitcake when you can have a Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake that combines the best of both worlds? This recipe is perfect for those who are looking for something festive, flavorful and easy to make during Christmas and other special occasions. With its moist and tender crumb, zesty orange undertones and vibrant cranberry glaze, this Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake is sure to impress your family and guests.

Whether you serve it as a coffee cake for breakfast, an afternoon tea snack or as a dessert after dinner, this Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake will be a crowd-pleaser. By using simple ingredients from your pantry and some fresh or frozen cranberries, you can whip up this cake in no time. Plus, you can substitute or vary the recipe to suit your taste such as adding lemon zest or white chocolate chips.

So why not give this recipe a try? Bring some holiday cheer to your table with this delicious Cranberry Glazed Pound Cake. You won’t regret it!

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