Festive Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake Recipe: A Holiday Delight

Celebrate the holiday season with this decadent Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake, a perfect blend of tangy cranberries, rich white chocolate, and a creamy glaze. This holiday dessert is not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious, making it a crowd-pleaser at any festive gathering. Follow this easy-to-follow recipe to create a moist, flavorful pound cake that will become a cherished tradition in your home.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 187 grams cake flour (sifted)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup fresh or thawed cranberries
• 140 grams white chocolate chunks
• 115 grams unsalted butter (softened)
• 300 grams sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons browned butter

For the Frosting:

• 56 grams unsalted butter (softened)
• 112 grams cream cheese (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (or more as needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Garnish:

• Handful of dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (or 350°F if not using convection). Butter and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 x 3-inch loaf pan, lining it with parchment paper.
2. Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt three times. Set aside.
3. Brown 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan until amber, then remove foam and let cool.
4. Whisk eggs with vanilla extract and set aside.
5. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add heavy cream and mascarpone, mixing well.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and eggs to the wet mixture on low speed.
7. Toss cranberries and white chocolate chunks with flour to coat, then fold into the batter.
8. Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and tap to remove air bubbles. Drizzle browned butter down the center.
9. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
10. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
11. Prepare the glaze by mixing butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the cooled cake.
12. Melt white chocolate chips with vegetable oil and drizzle over the cake. Sprinkle with dried cranberries.
13. Refrigerate until the glaze sets. Enjoy this festive treat with family and friends!