Christmas Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Christmas Vanilla Pound Cake is a timeless holiday treat that fills your home with warm, inviting aromas. With its rich buttery texture and classic vanilla flavor, it’s perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy afternoon dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Grease and flour a 10-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
3. Step 3: Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure even incorporation.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently after each addition.
7. Step 7: Stir in the vanilla extract for that classic flavor boost.
8. Step 8: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Step 10: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from breaking.

Tips & Variations

• For extra festive flair, fold in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or chopped nuts before baking.
• Use full-fat milk or substitute with buttermilk for added moisture and slight tang.
• Ensure butter is fully softened but not melted to maintain the proper cake texture.
• To enhance vanilla flavor, toast a vanilla bean pod and scrape the seeds into the batter along with the extract.

Storage

Store the pound cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm slices gently in the microwave or oven until just heated through to retain moisture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste, as salted butter contains added salt.

How do I know when the pound cake is fully baked?

The best way is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the cake is done. Avoid opening the oven door frequently to maintain even baking.

Christmas Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 142 reviews

• Author: Naomi
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 12 servings) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This classic Christmas Vanilla Pound Cake is a rich, buttery dessert perfect for holiday celebrations. With a moist texture and delicate vanilla flavor, it’s an irresistible treat to enjoy with family and friends. The recipe combines simple pantry ingredients into a luscious pound cake that bakes to a golden perfection, making it an ideal choice to bake today and savor during festive gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature once the batter is ready.
2. Prepare the pan: Grease and flour a 10-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent the cake from sticking during baking.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
4. Add eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed butter mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure even distribution and emulsification.
5. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
6. Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently to maintain a smooth batter without overmixing.
7. Add vanilla extract: Stir in the vanilla extract carefully to infuse the batter with a rich vanilla aroma and flavor.
8. Pour into pan: Transfer the prepared batter into the greased and floured loaf pan, spreading it evenly for uniform baking.
9. Bake the cake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.
10. Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
• Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the pound cake tender.
• If the cake begins to brown too much on top during baking, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
• You can add citrus zest or festive sprinkles to customize the cake for holiday occasions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: pound cake, vanilla pound cake, Christmas cake, holiday dessert, baked cake, moist pound cake