Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This no-fuss cream cheese pound cake is delicious and requires only a few pantry and fridge staples to come together. The nice part? It takes about 15 minutes to whisk up the batter before baking it in the oven. You can get creative with the pan you use—try one with a decorative shape so that your cake comes out with fun grooves and designs. You can also go wild with the toppings; drizzle on a glaze or caramel sauce. Or keep it simple by spooning on some berries or sprinkles to give it a pop of color and flavor. This recipe can work for modest weeknight desserts or big celebrations, depending on how you deck it out.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake Ingredients

EMILY DAVIS for Taste of Home

• Butter: We cream softened butter with the sugar to create the smooth batter for this pound cake.
• Sugar: We rely on granulated sugar to enhance this cream cheese pound cake with sweet flavors.
• Cream cheese: We use softened cream cheese in the batter to give this cake rich flavors and a moist crumb.
• Eggs: The eggs are responsible for helping the cake maintain its shape as it bakes.
• All-purpose flour: We use all-purpose flour because it helps the pound cake achieve its dense structure.
• Baking powder: The baking powder in this recipe helps the cake rise and become fluffy and airy.

Directions

Step 1: Make the batter

EMILY DAVIS for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Cream the butter, sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl until light and fluffy—about five to seven minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.

Step 2: Bake the cake

EMILY DAVIS for Taste of Home

Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Transfer the batter to the cake pan. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 80 to 90 minutes. Then, remove the cake from the oven and cool it in the pan for 10 minutes before moving it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with desired toppings.

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Cream Cheese Pound Cake Variations

• Top with a cream cheese glaze: This cake is delicious, but pouring a cream cheese glaze on top will help it look stunning and infuse it with tangy, rich flavors.
• Add a swirl: You can enhance the cream cheese pound cake by swirling strawberry or raspberry jam into the batter before baking. This will create a beautiful design and infuse the cake with a delightful burst of flavor.
• Make it chocolaty: Fold some chocolate chips into the batter to add rich and sweet notes to this cream cheese pound cake.

How to Store Cream Cheese Pound Cake

If you have leftover cream cheese pound cake store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh at room temperature for three to seven days.

Can you make this pound cake recipe with cream cheese ahead of time?

If you’re hoping to bring this cream cheese pound cake to a picnic or gathering, you can easily make it ahead of time. Follow the recipe and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for three to seven days. Then, once you get to your event, you can serve it.

Can you freeze this cream cheese pound cake?

If you have leftover slices of cream cheese pound cake, you can store them in the freezer. Put them in an airtight container or a freezer-friendly bag. They can stay fresh for up to two to three months in the freezer.

How long does cream cheese pound cake last?

You can store this cream cheese pound cake in an airtight container on your counter for three to seven days or freeze it for two to three months.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake Tips

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Can I use a bundt cake pan instead of a tube one?

In this recipe, you’ll see it calls for a tube pan but if you want your cake to come out with a fun design use a decorative bundt pan.  Grease and flour the pan so the cake comes out seamlessly after baking regardless of your choice.

Can I make a vegan version of this cream cheese pound cake?

If you prefer plant-based sweets, you can adapt this recipe with a few simple swaps. Use vegan butter and cream cheese and swap each egg for 1/4 cup of applesauce. The texture may differ from the original but it’ll still taste delicious.

How do I know when the cream cheese pound cake is finished baking?

Check out its appearance to determine if the cream cheese pound cake is ready. Once it starts to rise and turns a golden brown, take it out of the oven. You can also insert a toothpick into the cake. The cake is ready if the toothpick comes out clean without any batter sticking to it.