Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a rich, moist dessert that blends the tangy cream cheese with the sweet strawberry preserves, creating a flavor combination that’s irresistible. Perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or an afternoon tea, this cake is sure to impress with its delicate texture and fruity burst.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup strawberry preserves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed mixture, mixing until fully combined.
5. Pour half of the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Spoon the strawberry preserves evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, spreading it out to cover the preserves.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12 slices
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Variations

1. Other Fruit Preserves: Try substituting the strawberry preserves with raspberry, blueberry, or peach preserves for a different fruity twist.
2. Add Lemon Zest: For a citrusy kick, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter.
3. Cream Cheese Glaze: Drizzle a cream cheese glaze over the cooled cake for extra sweetness and a beautiful finish.
4. Nutty Option: Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for added texture and flavor.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the pound cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Reheating: To reheat, slice individual pieces and microwave them for 10-15 seconds, or warm the whole cake in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.

10 FAQs

1. Can I use reduced-fat cream cheese in this recipe?
   Yes, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese, but it may slightly alter the texture and richness of the cake.
2. Can I make this cake without a Bundt pan?
   Yes, you can use a standard 9×13-inch cake pan instead of a Bundt pan. Just reduce the baking time to around 55-60 minutes.
3. Can I use fresh strawberries instead of strawberry preserves?
   Fresh strawberries can be used, but they may not provide the same rich, concentrated flavor as preserves. You can simmer fresh strawberries with sugar to create your own preserves.
4. How can I make this cake gluten-free?
   To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
5. What if I don’t have a Bundt pan?
   If you don’t have a Bundt pan, you can bake the cake in two 9-inch round cake pans or a loaf pan.
6. How do I know when the cake is done?
   Test the cake with a toothpick. When inserted into the center, it should come out clean without any wet batter.
7. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
   While margarine can be substituted, butter provides the best flavor and texture in this cake.
8. Can I add chocolate chips to this cake?
   Yes, you can fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for an added chocolatey touch.
9. Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
   You can reduce the sugar by about 1/4 cup for a less sweet version, but be mindful that it may alter the texture slightly.
10. How can I make this cake more festive for the holidays?
    You can decorate the cooled cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or top it with a few extra strawberry slices or holiday-themed sprinkles.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a deliciously moist and flavorful dessert that combines the richness of cream cheese with the sweetness of strawberry preserves. This cake is perfect for any occasion and can be easily customized to suit your tastes. Whether you enjoy it as is or with one of the suggested variations, this pound cake will surely be a hit at your next gathering!

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