Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

Heavenly Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Baking a smooth cream cheese pound cake always feels like pure magic happening right in my kitchen.

Soft, rich textures emerge from simple ingredients waiting to become something extraordinary.

Traditional recipes can seem intimidating, but this approach breaks down complex steps into straightforward moments.

Dense yet delicate, each slice promises incredible comfort and satisfaction.

My grandmother first taught me how remarkable homemade desserts can be when crafted with patience.

The subtle blend of ingredients creates something far more special than store-bought alternatives.

You’ll adore how effortlessly this cake comes together with minimal technical skills required.

Slice into this delightful creation and savor every decadent moment.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake That’s Rich and Soft

  • Uncover the Delights of Cream Cheese Pound Cake
  • Master this recipe with basic kitchen skills, perfect for novice bakers seeking a foolproof dessert that requires minimal technical expertise.
  • Whip up a delectable cake in just under two hours, including preparation and baking, making it an ideal choice for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
  • Delight family and friends with a classic dessert that offers rich, creamy texture and nostalgic flavor, suitable for casual weeknight desserts or elegant dinner parties.
  • Enjoy the cake plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or dress it up with fresh berries and whipped cream for a stunning presentation that suits multiple occasions.

What You’ll Need for Pound Cake with Cream Cheese

Main Ingredients:

Cake Batter Base:
  • Butter, Cream Cheese: Provide rich, creamy texture and deep flavor, best when softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake structure.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to cake's moisture and structure, use fresh large eggs.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the cake's foundation, standard flour works best for consistent texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Flavor Enhancer:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds classic bakery-style flavor, pure vanilla provides the best taste.
  • Aluminum Foil: Used for protecting cake's surface during baking, optional but helpful.

Bake a Cream Cheese Cake That Stays Moist

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set the oven to 325F (163C). Generously coat a 10-inch bundt pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl. Whip the softened butter and cream cheese using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, airy texture. Keep mixing for about 3-4 minutes until it looks super fluffy.

Step 3: Sweeten and Enrich

Slowly sprinkle in the granulated sugar and blend until silky smooth. Drop in the eggs one by one, thoroughly mixing after each addition to create a uniform blend.

Step 4: Combine Dry Components

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Baking powder

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in three separate additions. Stir gently after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Transform Batter into Cake

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the surface. Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center- it should come out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil during the final 20 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Let the Cake Rest

Remove from oven and let the cake sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.

Tricks That Keep Pound Cake from Drying Out

  • Soften Ingredients Perfectly: Let butter, cream cheese, and eggs sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy consistency and even blending.
  • Check Cake Doneness Smartly: Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the cake's center- if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
  • Prevent Over-Browning Technique: Tent the cake with aluminum foil if the top browns too quickly, which protects the surface while allowing the interior to continue cooking evenly.
  • Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding lemon zest, almond extract, or a splash of bourbon to create unique taste profiles without compromising the cake's classic texture.
  • Store Cake Correctly: Wrap the cooled pound cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain moisture and freshness.

Pound Cake Storage Tips That Work

  • Store leftover pound cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Keep cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days if your kitchen is cool and dry.
  • Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and bring out the cake's rich flavors.

Foods and Drinks to Serve with Pound Cake

  • Spread bright, tangy lemon curd alongside rich slices of cream cheese pound cake for a refreshing contrast that cuts through the dessert's dense sweetness.
  • Brew a delicate, fragrant Earl Grey tea with subtle lavender notes to enhance the cake's creamy texture and provide a sophisticated drinking experience.
  • Serve a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream next to warm pound cake slices, creating a luxurious dessert that balances temperature and creamy textures.
  • Add a gourmet touch by pouring smooth, golden salted caramel sauce over cake slices, introducing a decadent salty-sweet dimension that elevates the classic dessert.

Add-Ins That Work in Cream Cheese Pound Cake

  • Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Pound Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Citrus Zest Variation: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, refreshing flavor profile. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of citrus zest during the mixing process to enhance the cake's taste.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Substitute part of the granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content. Use a 1:1 replacement ratio to maintain the cake's structure and sweetness.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace butter and cream cheese with coconut oil and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives. Use plant-based egg substitutes like flax eggs for a completely dairy-free version.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sinful Cream Cheese Pound Cake delivers pure Southern comfort with rich, velvety layers of indulgence. Warm slices promise heavenly moments that connect family traditions and sweet memories you’ll treasure forever.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (600g) granulated sugar
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 6 large eggs
  • 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Seasoning:

  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 325F (163C) and meticulously coating a 10-inch bundt pan with grease and flour to prevent potential sticking.
  2. Utilize an electric mixer to thoroughly blend softened butter and cream cheese, whipping until the mixture achieves a pillowy, aerated consistency with notable volume.
  3. Incorporate granulated sugar gradually, beating until the mixture transforms into a silky-smooth texture. Introduce eggs individually, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next.
  4. In a separate vessel, delicately combine flour, salt, and baking powder through a gentle whisking motion. Methodically fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in three distinct stages, maintaining a smooth incorporation after each addition.
  5. Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, stirring until perfectly harmonized. Transfer the velvety mixture into the prepared pan, distributing evenly with a spatula.
  6. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15-30 minutes. Monitor the cake’s surface, draping aluminum foil loosely over the top if browning occurs too rapidly.
  7. Once a toothpick emerges clean from the center, remove the cake and allow it to rest within the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire cooling rack.
  8. Permit the cake to reach complete room temperature, which allows the texture to settle and flavors to fully develop before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to guarantee smooth mixing and consistent texture.
  • Softened butter and cream cheese should be creamed together thoroughly to create a light, airy base for the pound cake.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter after adding flour to prevent a tough, dense cake texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, keeping the same measurements.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 413
  • Sugar: 50g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 119mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star