Southern Living Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
If you're looking for a delicious dessert that will impress your guests, look no further than the Southern Living Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake. This cake is a perfect combination of creamy, rich flavors and sweet, fruity goodness. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this amazing recipe, explore its ingredients and preparation, and share some tips for making the perfect cake every time.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the preparation, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need to make this delicious cake:
- 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
- 1-2 drops red food coloring (optional)
Most of these ingredients are likely to be found in your pantry or local grocery store, so there's no need to worry about sourcing any exotic or hard-to-find ingredients.
Preparation
Now that you know what ingredients you need, let's take a look at how to prepare this delicious cake:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, mix together the strawberry preserves and food coloring (if using).
- Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Spoon the strawberry mixture over the batter, then top with the remaining batter.
- Using a knife, swirl the strawberry mixture through the batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
As you can see, the preparation of this cake is not too complicated, but it does require some time and attention to detail. Be sure to follow the recipe closely, and don't rush any of the steps, to ensure that your cake turns out perfectly every time.
Tips for Making the Perfect Cake
Here are some tips for making the perfect Southern Living Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake:
- Make sure your butter and cream cheese are completely softened before starting the recipe. This will ensure that they combine smoothly and evenly with the sugar.
- When adding the eggs, be sure to beat each one well before adding the next. This will help to incorporate air into the batter and create a lighter, fluffier cake.
- When adding the flour mixture, be sure to do so gradually, alternating with the milk. This will help to prevent lumps and ensure that the batter is smooth and well combined.
- When swirling the strawberry mixture through the batter, be sure to do so gently and evenly. This will help to create a beautiful marbled effect throughout the cake.
- Be sure to grease and flour your tube pan thoroughly before adding the batter. This will help to prevent sticking and ensure that the cake comes out of the pan easily.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. This will help to ensure that the flavors have had a chance to meld together and that the cake is at its best.
Conclusion
The Southern Living Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a delicious dessert that is sure to impress your guests. With its creamy, rich flavors and sweet, fruity goodness, this cake is perfect for any occasion. Follow the recipe closely, and use the tips we've shared, to ensure that your cake turns out perfectly every time. Happy baking!