Cranberry White Chocolate Holiday Pound Cake
A rich, buttery holiday pound cake bursting with tart cranberries and creamy white chocolate. Perfectly moist, beautifully frosted, and ideal for Christmas gatherings or cozy winter mornings.
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Parchment Paper
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 187 g cake flour sifted for a soft, tender crumb
- ½ tsp baking powder helps the cake rise
- 1 pinch salt balances sweetness
- 1 cup cranberries fresh or thawed
- 140 g white chocolate chunks creamy sweetness in the crumb
- 115 g unsalted butter softened
- 300 g sugar adds sweetness and structure
- ½ cup heavy cream for a moist texture
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese rich and smooth
- 3 eggs for body and lightness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract adds warmth and depth
- 2 Tbsp browned butter for a nutty finishing touch
For the Frosting
- 56 g unsalted butter softened
- 112 g cream cheese softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar for thickness and sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract ties the frosting flavors together
For the Garnish
- 1 handful dried cranberries for color and texture
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil smooths melted chocolate
- ½ cup white chocolate chips for a glossy drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (or 350°F for non-convection). Butter and flour your loaf pan, then line with parchment paper.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift three times for a fine texture.
- In a small pan, brown the butter until amber and fragrant. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in heavy cream and mascarpone, then whisked eggs and vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients to the wet mix. Toss cranberries and white chocolate in a bit of flour, then fold into the batter.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan. Draw a shallow line down the center and drizzle browned butter into it.
- Bake 55–65 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack. Once cool, beat butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla for frosting. Spread over cake.
- Garnish with dried cranberries and drizzle melted white chocolate mixed with oil for a festive finish.
Notes
Traditional American pound cake with a festive twist — mascarpone adds creaminess while cranberries and white chocolate make it sparkle for the holidays.