Cranberry Pound Cake Perfection: Your Go-To Holiday Dessert Recipe (2024)

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Savor the sweet-tart delight of homemade cranberry pound cake, ideal for any occasion. Discover how to create this delectable treat, perfect for holiday feasts or the next time you want a classic dessert.

Cranberry pound cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of the holiday season and beyond.

The tartness of fresh cranberries balances the moist, buttery crumb of this delicious pound cake.

Cranberry is one of the classic holiday flavors, often featured in dishes like cranberry sauce, relish, pies, and desserts like festive pound cakes. Whether in sweet or savory preparations, cranberry flavors offer a festive and iconic touch to recipes.

This dessert begins with a blend of butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, creating a tender and buttery crumb. The star of the show is the vibrant cranberries, which add a burst of color and a sweet-tart flavor as they release their juices during baking.

Cranberry Pound Cake is a versatile dessert suitable for various occasions throughout the year.

It shines as a festive addition to holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas time. But it’s not just a Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake! This delicious cake is a lovely choice for brunches, dinner parties, potlucks, and picnics, adding a sweet-tart delight to any occasion.

How to Make Cranberry Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
12 oz cranberries
1 cup milk

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Cream for 2-3 minutes or until noticeably lighter in color.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.

Mix until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix.

Wash and dry cranberries.

To prevent cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking, lightly coat them with a small amount of flour in a small bowl before folding them into the batter.

Relevant Recipes

Cherry Sheet Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipes for Bundt Cakes
Fall Cake Flavors

How to Customize Your Cranberry Pound Cake:

Add orange or lemon zest to the batter for a refreshing citrus twist.
Incorporate chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
Create a cream cheese swirl between cake layers for a creamy contrast
Combine fresh cranberries and orange zest for a dual burst of cranberry and citrus flavors to make a cranberry orange pound cake recipe
Fold in white chocolate chips to balance the tartness of cranberries with creamy sweetness.
Include warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a spiced variation.
Opt for mini loaves for individual servings.
Decorate with sugared cranberries for an elegant touch.

Cranberry Bundt Cake FAQs

Why is my pound cake not moist?

If your pound cake is not moist, it could be due to overbaking, incorrect measurements, overmixing, or using expired ingredients. Ensure precise measurements, avoid overmixing, and use moistness-enhancing ingredients like sour cream or yogurt. Additionally, proper storage, adequate greasing of the pan, and allowing the cake to cool thoroughly are essential for baking a moist pound cake,

Can I use frozen cranberries in the recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in your Cranberry Pound Cake recipe. However, it’s essential to use them directly from the freezer without thawing to prevent excess moisture in the batter. However, whenever possible, use fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture.

Can I make a glaze for the Cranberry Pound Cake?

Yes, you can make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or citrus juice (like orange or lemon juice). Drizzle it over the cooled cake for added sweetness and flavor.

Ingredients

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
12 oz cranberries
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and soften butter.
Mix together sugar and eggs.
Add vanilla and butter.
Slowly beat in flour.
Fold in cranberries.
Pour into a prepared bundt pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let your cranberry cake cook and then lightly dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tips to Removing Your Cranberry Pound Cake from the Bundt Pan

One of the most stressful moments in cake making is removing bundt cakes from the pan.

Cover the inside of the bakeware with a generous layer of cake release or cooking spray prior to baking. Let it cool for about 15 minutes on a cooling rack after taking it out of the oven. Once you've done this, carefully turn over bottom side up so that gravity pulls down to remove easily without breaking apart or cracking.

Alternatives to this Delicious Cake

This delicious pound cake makes a great gift at Christmas time. Bake individual loaves in a 5-inch loaf pan.

Make your recipe into an orange cranberry pound cake by mixing in 2 tsp of orange zest or orange juice. The sweetness of orange pairs wonderfully with the cranberry flavors.

Drizzle this great recipe with a cream cheese frosting.

Can you freeze Cranberry Pound Cake?

Yes. Let your pound cake cool to room temperature, then wrap in aluminum foil and put your cake into a freezer safe ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.