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Welcome, my fellow bakers! I am thrilled to share with you my recipe for a classic British cake that will bring a rich and decadent touch to your holiday season. It’s the Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe, a moist and buttery dessert that is perfect for sharing with friends and family.
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I’ve always been fascinated by the history of traditional desserts. The pound cake is one of the most enduring classics of English baking, dating back to the 1700s. The recipe got its name from its original ratio of ingredients: one pound each of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.
Over time, variations were introduced to this classic recipe, including the addition of sour cream or buttermilk to make it more moist and an assortment of seasonal fruits and spices for added flavor. And for this Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe, the star ingredients are green and red maraschino cherries!
I have fallen in love with this recipe because it’s so easy to make yet produces remarkable results every time. Be sure to follow my step-by-step instructions closely and use only high-quality ingredients to achieve a moist cake with melt-in-your-mouth texture.
So, let’s get started! Preheat your oven, grease your loaf pan, and let’s create some magic together! This Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe will be your new go-to for any holiday occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a winning recipe that will impress your holiday guests? Look no further than the Noel Pound Cake Loaf recipe! This mouth-watering cake is perfect for any occasion and will leave you feeling satisfied and festive.
This loaf recipe is easy to make yet delivers a rich, buttery flavor with the perfect hint of sweetness. With ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, butter, and eggs, your kitchen will be filled with the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cake in no time.
But what sets this recipe apart are the colorful and flavorful toppings: red and green maraschino cherries. These cherries add a pop of color to the cake while also providing a sweet and tangy taste sensation that complements the buttery cake beautifully.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it can also be adapted to suit your preferences. You can use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour to make it gluten-free or swap out eggnog for sour cream to give it a unique holiday twist. The possibilities are endless!
In addition to being customizable, this recipe is also versatile in its serving options. Serve sliced pieces as dessert or enjoy it for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s perfect for brunches, potlucks or even as a grab-and-go snack.
Trust me when I say that this Noel Pound Cake Loaf recipe will meet all your expectations and then some. It’s guaranteed to become one of your go-to recipes during the holiday season and beyond.
Ingredient List
Let’s get started with the perfect ingredient list to make a delicious Noel Pound Cake Loaf. Below are the essential ingredients and quantities that you’ll need:
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 cups of softened butter
- 3 cups of sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1 jar (16 ounces) of green maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1 jar (16 ounces) of red maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
This recipe makes one loaf, so you will need a loaf pan to pour the batter into. Make sure to have all your ingredients placed on the kitchen counter before you start mixing them together so that it will be easier to prepare.
The Recipe How-To
After gathering all the ingredients needed for this Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe, we can now proceed to the how-to section of this recipe. Here, I will guide you through each step to ensure that you’ll have a successful and delicious outcome.
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and the Loaf Pan
In this first step, we will be preparing our oven by preheating it to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in order to prevent the cake from sticking, grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Next, in a small bowl, whisk together 2 and 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until they are well combined. Set this mixture aside as we will be using it later in Step 4.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together 1 and 1/2 cups of softened butter and 3 cups of sugar until they become light and fluffy. Add in 6 large eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding another.
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients and Fold in the Cherries
Next up, add your dry ingredient mix into your wet ingredient mix gradually, mixing well on low speed after each addition. By this time, your mixture should be smooth and fully incorporated. Finally, fold in 1 cup of sour cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and half a jar each of red maraschino cherries (diced) and green maraschino cherries (diced).
Step 5: Pour the Batter and Bake
Once your batter is fully mixed-in with cherries, gently pour it into your prepared loaf pan, ensuring the batter is evenly distributed. Then, place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for at least 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
After baking, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then release the cake from the pan, still leaving it on the wire rack to finish cooling completely. Once cooled, you can slice the cake into desired portions and serve with a complementing beverage or side dish.
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to switch things up with this Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe? Here are a few substitution and variation ideas to inspire you!
1. Fruit: While maraschino cherries are a classic choice for this recipe, you could also use fresh or frozen fruit for a different twist. Consider using cranberries or mixed berries for a festive touch, or opt for tropical fruits like pineapple and mango for a unique flavor.
2. Nuts: If you’re a fan of nuts, consider folding in chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking. This will add some crunch and nuttiness to each bite.
3. Liquids: For even more holiday flavor, consider swapping out the sour cream in the recipe for eggnog. This will give your pound cake a rich, creamy texture and a subtle hint of eggnog.
4. Frosting: While this pound cake is delicious on its own, you could also frost it with your favorite frosting recipe. For example, try topping it with vanilla bean frosting for an extra dose of vanilla flavor.
5. Shape: Though this recipe is specifically written as a loaf cake, you could also make it as mini bundt cakes or cupcakes for individual portions. Just adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on them as they bake.
No matter how you choose to personalize your Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe, just remember to have fun in the kitchen and enjoy the sweet results!
Serving and Pairing
Nothing beats the pleasure of biting into a slice of this indulgent Noel Pound Cake Loaf, especially when accompanied with a delicious beverage. With its dense and moist texture, this cake is perfect for serving as an afternoon snack or as a dessert. Here are a few pairing suggestions that will elevate your taste experience and take it to another level.
To make the most out of the sweet and nutty flavor of this cake, consider serving it with vanilla bean ice cream. The creamy texture and delicate aroma of the ice cream will balance out the sweetness of the cake creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
If you are looking for a refreshing twist, pair this delightful pound cake loaf with some sparkling apple cider. The sparkling cider offers a crisp contrast to the fruity sweetness of the maraschino cherries while lifting its overall taste profile.
For those who prefer a classic pairing, serve your Noel Pound Cake Loaf with a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning or after dinner. The bold taste of coffee or tea will complement the rich buttery flavor notes of the cake beautifully.
No matter how you choose to serve your Noel Pound Cake Loaf, one thing’s for sure: it is best enjoyed shared with friends and family during the holidays or any time you want some comfort food goodness!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Ah, the joys of being able to prepare ahead and enjoy later. In this section, I will give you some tips on how to make the most out of your Noel Pound Cake Loaf.
First things first, if you’re planning on storing this cake loaf, make sure it’s completely cool before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to three days. However, if you want to keep it fresh and moist longer, freezing it is a great option. Wrap the pound cake loaf again in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
If you need to reheat it after having been stored for a while, here’s what you should do. Remove the cake loaf from the freezer or fridge and let it thaw until it comes back to room temperature. If reheating freshly baked cake loaf as well, preheat your oven at 325°F (165°C). Place your cake loaf on a baking sheet and heat it up for about 10 minutes in the oven (*).
Note that reheating your Noel Pound Cake Loaf isn’t necessary if you’re serving it with toppings like whipped cream or ice cream.
With these tips, nothing can stop you from enjoying delicious pound cake loaf anytime!
Tips for Perfect Results
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I know that even with the best recipe, things may not always turn out perfectly. That’s why I want to provide some helpful tips to ensure that your Noel Pound Cake Loaf turns out just right.
Firstly, make sure to measure your ingredients accurately. This is especially important when it comes to the leavening agents, such as baking soda. Too much or too little can greatly affect the texture of your pound cake. A kitchen scale can be a useful tool in ensuring precise measurements.
Next, it’s important to properly prepare your loaf pan. Grease and flour the pan well to prevent the cake from sticking and ensure an even bake. If using a non-stick pan, you can skip the flour and simply grease the pan, but be careful not to over-grease as it can cause the edges of the cake to become too brown.
When adding in the maraschino cherries, make sure to drain them thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help prevent any excess liquid from weighing down the cake and causing it to sink in the middle.
Speaking of sinking, if you find that your cake has sunk in the middle, don’t fret! Simply slice off the top and cover it with frosting or whipped cream. No one will be any wiser.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and variations of this pound cake recipe. For example, try replacing some of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nuttier flavor, or adding in some eggnog instead of sour cream for a festive twist.
With these tips in mind, your Noel Pound Cake Loaf is sure to turn out perfectly every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious and classic British dessert. With its rich texture and ingredients like vanilla extract, sour cream, and maraschino cherries, this recipe will surely leave your taste buds wanting more.
Whether you’re trying it for the first time or have been making it for years, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. And with its versatility for substitutions and variations, you can make it your own and experiment with different flavors.
So don’t wait any longer! Gather up your ingredients and get baking. This Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe is the perfect addition to any holiday gathering or even as a sweet treat for yourself. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Noel Pound Cake Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounce) jar red maraschino cherries
- 1 (6 ounce) jar green maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Drain cherries well; finely chop cherries; press them gently between paper towels to absorb excess moisture; set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter, using and electric mixer on medium speed, until creamy.
- Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until the yellow yolk disappears.
- Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda; stir in cherries.
- Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
- Beat batter on low speed just until blended after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla; pour batter into a greased/floured 9x5 inch loafpan.
- Bake in a 325° oven for 1 hour or until a pick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on wire rack 10 minutes.
- Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.