Description
This Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake is the ultimate holiday dessert! It’s rich, buttery, and moist with bursts of tart cranberries and creamy white chocolate chunks. Topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, a sprinkle of dried cranberries, and drizzled white chocolate, this cake is as festive and delicious as it is beautiful. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, or cozy winter evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 187 grams cake flour (1 ½ cups + 3 tablespoons, sifted)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 140 grams (5 oz.) white chocolate chunks
- 115 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 300 grams (1 ½ cups) sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons browned butter
For the Frosting:
- 56 grams (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 112 grams (4 oz.) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (adjust for thickness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Garnish:
- Handful of dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Oven:
- Preheat the convection 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 (or 9 x 5 x 3-inch). Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Sift the Dry Ingredients:
- Combine the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift three times and set aside.
- Brown the Butter:
- In a small saucepan, brown 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until golden with a nutty aroma. Remove foam and cool.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- Whisk together eggs and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a mixer, beat softened butter until creamy. Slowly add sugar and continue mixing until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in the heavy cream and mascarpone until smooth.
- Combine Batter:
- Turn the mixer to low speed. Alternate adding the sifted dry ingredients and egg mixture until just combined.
- Toss cranberries and white chocolate chunks in a little flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold them into the batter.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top and tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Use a butter knife to create a line down the center of the batter and pour the browned butter into the line.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If browning too quickly, tent with foil.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Make the Frosting:
- Beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until creamy.
- Frost and Garnish:
- Spread frosting over the cooled cake and chill until set.
- Melt white chocolate chips with vegetable oil on low heat until smooth. Drizzle over the cake and sprinkle with dried cranberries.
Notes
- If using frozen cranberries, thaw, rinse until the water runs clear, and pat dry.
- Measure the flour carefully—over-measuring can result in a dense cake.
- For a clean drizzle, transfer melted white chocolate to a small zip-lock bag, snip the corner, and pipe over the cake.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 17g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg