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–+ servings
Square side shot of a southern cream cheese pound cake on a cake stand
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5 from 8 votes

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Rich, buttery, and dense, with a moist crumb and golden exterior, this classic Southern cream cheese pound cake recipe is truly the best!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword cream cheese pound cake, pound cake recipe with cream cheese, southern cream cheese pound cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 16 people
Calories 459kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) salted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 6 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3 cups bleached cake flour (such as Swans Down brand)
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Grease and lightly flour a tube pan or Bundt pan; set aside. Do not preheat oven.
  • In a large bowl, use the paddle attachment on an electric stand mixer to cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the cream cheese; beat until smooth, about 30 seconds. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl periodically.
    Process shot showing how to make a cream cheese pound cake
  • Gradually add the flour, mixing on low speed after each addition, and scraping the bowl as needed. Mix just until combined, about 1 minute total.
    Adding flour to a bowl of cream cheese pound cake in a stand mixer
  • Add the salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until smooth.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Tap it a couple of times on the counter to release any big air bubbles.
    Pound cake batter in a Bundt pan
  • Place the pan on a rack in the lower third of the cold oven. Shut the oven, and turn the temperature to 300°F. Bake the cake until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 50 minutes – 2 hours.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert on a serving plate or wire rack to cool completely.
  • Dust with powdered sugar, then slice and serve.
    Dusting pound cake with powdered sugar

Video

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture.
  • Use a block of full-fat cream cheese. Do not use spreadable cream cheese from a tub or whipped cream cheese for this recipe.
  • Cream the butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes.
  • Mix on low once the flour is added; don't overmix.
  • Bake starting in a cold oven.
  • Cool 10-15 minutes before removing from the pan.
  • Cake flour gives a lighter crumb; avoid substituting with all-purpose flour.
  • Grease and flour the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  • Add glaze or powdered sugar once fully cooled.
  • Recipe adapted from Southern Living.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 812IU | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg