Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
A rich and buttery Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake infused with orange zest and dotted with tart cranberries, finished with a creamy white chocolate glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting, this festive loaf delivers the warmth and flavor of Christmas in every slice.
Equipment
- 9x5-inch loaf pan
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Rubber Spatula
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
- Saucepan (for glaze)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest about 1 medium orange
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for coating cranberries
For the glaze:
- 6 ounces white chocolate chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract and orange zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to the wet mixture, starting and ending with flour.
- Toss cranberries in 2 tablespoons of flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold them into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 60–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze: melt white chocolate and cream together over low heat, stirring until smooth. Add vanilla and let cool slightly.
- Drizzle glaze evenly over the cooled cake and garnish with extra cranberries or orange zest if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories 410 kcal
- Carbohydrates 48 g
- Protein 5 g
- Fat 22 g
- Saturated Fat 13 g
- Cholesterol 115 mg
- Sodium 160 mg
- Fiber 1 g
- Sugar 31 g
