Swift Ina Garten Vanilla Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

This vanilla cream cheese pound cake elevates baking from mundane to magical, turning simple pantry staples into a symphony of flavor.

Silky cream cheese weaves luxurious richness through every golden-brown crumb.

Butter whispers decadence, while vanilla adds elegant warmth that embraces your senses.

Soft and dense, each slice promises comfort beyond mere dessert.

Generations of bakers have perfected this classic recipe, infusing love into every tender morsel.

Warm from the oven, this pound cake beckons with an irresistible aroma that signals pure indulgence.

Let your taste buds embark on a delectable journey that celebrates home-baked perfection.

Modifications and Add-Ins to Try

• Perfect Ingredient Swaps: Replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangy, lighter texture that maintains moisture and reduces fat content.
• Flavor Boosting Technique: Infuse extra depth by adding orange zest or almond extract alongside vanilla, creating complex aromatic undertones that elevate the traditional pound cake profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap cooled cakes tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 3 days or freeze up to 3 weeks, ensuring consistent moisture and convenient preparation.
• Garnish Like a Pro: Dust cooled cakes with powdered sugar, drizzle with light glaze, or top with fresh berries to transform simple pound cake into an elegant dessert presentation.

Slice and Serve Ina’s Pound Cake

• Pair with Afternoon Tea: Slice the pound cake into delicate wedges and serve alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a classic afternoon indulgence.
• Create Decadent Dessert Plate: Top warm cake slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, drizzle with caramel sauce, and sprinkle toasted almond slivers for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Breakfast Extravaganza: Toast pound cake slices lightly, spread with fresh ricotta cheese, and garnish with seasonal berries and a light honey drizzle for a luxurious morning treat.
• Gift with Love: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper, tie with a rustic twine, and share as a heartwarming homemade gift for friends and family gatherings.

Tips to Store Vanilla Pound Cake Properly

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store pound cakes in airtight containers at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining soft texture and rich flavor.
• Refrigerate with Care: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap or store in sealed containers in refrigerator for up to 7 days, ensuring moisture retention.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Package whole cakes or slices in freezer-safe wrap, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving for best quality.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Cut cooled cakes into slices before storing, making portion control easy and preventing repeated exposure to air that can dry out delicate texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 510 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients for Ina Garten Vanilla Cream Cheese Pound Cake

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth blending.
• Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat, soft cream cheese for rich, creamy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Use pure white sugar for consistent sweetness and fine crystal structure.

• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract with robust, authentic flavor.
• Vanilla Bean Seeds: Select plump, moist vanilla pods with dark, fragrant seeds.

• Cake Flour, Salt: Use finely milled cake flour for tender crumb and select kosher or fine sea salt for balanced flavor.
• Demerara Sugar: Pick coarse, golden sugar crystals for delightful crunchy exterior coating.

• Eggs: Choose fresh, large eggs at room temperature for smooth incorporation and optimal texture.

Tools for Making Vanilla Cream Cheese Pound Cake

• Stand Mixer: Powerful kitchen tool for blending ingredients smoothly and creating light, fluffy textures.
• Loaf Pans (2): Essential for shaping and baking perfect pound cake with even sides.
• Baking Spray: Quick method to prevent cake from sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Spatula: Helps smooth batter surfaces and scrape mixing bowl edges for thorough blending.
• Mixing Bowls (2): One for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients during preparation.
• Sifter: Ensures cake flour and salt are lump-free and evenly distributed.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevents bottom from becoming soggy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredient incorporation.

Directions for Baking This Creamy Pound Cake

• Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to 325°F and spray two loaf pans with cooking spray. Sprinkle a light dusting of golden sugar across the interior to create a delicate caramelized crust.

• Whip Creamy Foundation

In a stand mixer, combine softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Blend on medium speed until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, silky texture that looks absolutely irresistible.

• Build Flavor Profile

Lower mixer speed and gently introduce eggs one at a time. Splash in vanilla extract and scrape those luxurious vanilla bean seeds into the batter. Mix until everything dances together in perfect harmony.

• Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Sift flour and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl. Slowly fold this powdery mixture into the creamy base, ensuring every bit is incorporated without overworking the batter.

• Transform in Oven

Pour the velvety batter evenly into prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a gentle touch. Slide the pans into the oven’s center and bake for 60-70 minutes. The cakes are ready when a toothpick emerges clean and the kitchen fills with an intoxicating aroma.

• Cool and Serve

Let the cakes rest in their pans for half an hour, allowing them to settle. Transfer to a cooling rack and wait patiently before slicing into these golden, tender masterpieces.

Velvety Ina Garten Vanilla Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s vanilla cream cheese pound cake combines rich dairy ingredients with classic baking techniques for an elegant dessert. Creamy texture and delicate vanilla notes make this cake perfect for afternoon tea or special gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 sticks (340 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
• 6 extra-large eggs (room temperature)
• 3 cups (375 g) cake flour (sifted)
• 2 ½ cups (500 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsps demerara or turbinado sugar
• Baking spray with flour (for greasing)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and prepare two 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pans by coating with cooking spray and dusting with Demerara sugar for a caramelized exterior.
2. Creaming: Utilize an electric mixer to blend softened unsalted butter, room temperature cream cheese, and granulated sugar at medium speed until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous, and airy consistency, roughly 3-4 minutes.
3. Egg Integration: Lower mixer speed and incorporate eggs methodically, ensuring thorough blending after each addition while meticulously scraping bowl sides for uniform mixture.
4. Flavor Infusion: Delicately fold in pure vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds, allowing aromatic elements to disperse evenly throughout the batter.
5. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Sift cake flour and salt together, then gradually introduce to the creamy base on low speed, mixing until just combined to maintain a light, tender texture.
6. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces to eliminate air pockets, then position in oven center and bake for 60-70 minutes, rotating midway to ensure consistent golden browning.
7. Doneness and Cooling: Verify cake completion by inserting a clean toothpick into the center; when it emerges clean, remove from oven and allow to rest in pans for 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Optimize Butter Temperature: Use room temperature butter, cream cheese, and eggs for smooth, even mixing that creates a luxuriously soft cake texture.
• Prevent Overmixing: Mix dry ingredients just until combined to maintain the cake’s delicate, tender crumb and prevent a tough, dense result.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Dust loaf pans with Demerara sugar for a caramelized, crispy exterior that adds delightful crunch and subtle sweetness.
• Cooling Technique: Let cakes rest in pans for 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, ensuring structural integrity and easier removal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 58 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg