The rich heritage of Southern baking is alive and well in this beloved Cream Cheese Pound Cake. With a luxurious blend of butter and cream cheese, this cake delivers a moist crumb and a tender bite that’s both dense and delightfully rich. The subtle sweetness and hint of vanilla make each slice feel indulgent without overpowering your tastebuds.
This pound cake is a celebration of simple ingredients turned into something extraordinary. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, bringing it to a potluck, or just treating yourself with a cup of coffee, this cake is sure to become a cherished classic in your kitchen. One bite, and you’ll understand why this recipe stands the test of time.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 1/2 cups butter, softened
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1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
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3 cups sugar
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6 large eggs
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3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
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1/8 teaspoon salt
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
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Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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Sift together flour and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
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Stir in vanilla extract.
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Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
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Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour 40 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 12 servings
A Brief History of Pound Cake
The origins of pound cake date back to 18th-century Europe, where it got its name from its original formula: one pound each of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. This straightforward recipe made it easy to remember in an era before widespread literacy or standardized measuring tools.
As the recipe traveled and evolved, it became a canvas for regional flavors and preferences. In the American South, bakers began to enrich the basic formula with additions like sour cream, buttermilk, and—most notably—cream cheese. The cream cheese version brought not only a velvety richness but a tang that cut through the sweetness, making each bite more complex and satisfying.
Why Cream Cheese Makes a Difference
What sets this cake apart is the inclusion of cream cheese in the batter. Cream cheese has a dual function in the recipe—it acts as both a fat and a tenderizer. It enhances moisture retention while adding a mild tanginess that balances the sweet, buttery richness of the traditional pound cake.
The result is a cake that is denser than sponge cake but not heavy, moist without being greasy, and sweet without being cloying. The texture is tight-crumbed and luxurious, with a crust that turns slightly golden and crispy in the oven—especially if baked in a well-prepared tube pan.
Southern Living’s Signature Touch
Southern Living magazine has long been regarded as a curator of Southern cuisine. Its take on Cream Cheese Pound Cake has become one of the most beloved and widely reproduced versions, praised for its reliability, simplicity, and sublime results.
This particular recipe is a beautiful example of the “less is more” philosophy. With only a handful of pantry staples—flour, sugar, eggs, butter, cream cheese, and vanilla—it delivers a dessert that feels gourmet without being fussy. It’s the kind of recipe that turns out consistently well, even for beginner bakers, and improves with experience and subtle tweaking.
Texture and Flavor Profile
If you’ve never had a cream cheese pound cake before, you’re in for a treat. The first bite reveals a crisp exterior that gives way to a dense yet tender crumb. Unlike lighter cakes that may require fillings or frostings to stay interesting, this one shines all on its own.
The flavor is a rich symphony of butter and vanilla, with a very subtle tang from the cream cheese. That contrast is key—it prevents the sweetness from becoming overwhelming and keeps you coming back for slice after slice. The aroma, both during baking and once served, is comforting and nostalgic: buttery, vanilla-scented, and deeply inviting.
Perfecting the Bake
While the ingredients are simple, this cake rewards attention to technique. Creaming the butter, cream cheese, and sugar properly is crucial. This step incorporates air into the batter, which helps lift the dense crumb and ensures a smooth texture.
Another essential detail is the baking temperature. A lower oven temp, like 300°F (150°C), ensures the cake bakes slowly and evenly. Pound cakes are dense by nature, and high heat can cause them to brown too quickly on the outside while remaining underbaked inside. The lower temp allows the batter to cook uniformly, resulting in that perfectly golden crust and moist center.
Letting the cake cool properly is also critical. Removing it too early from the pan can cause it to break or collapse. Allowing it to rest for 10–15 minutes helps it set while still being warm enough to release cleanly from the pan.
Serving Suggestions
One of the beauties of cream cheese pound cake is its versatility. It’s perfect served plain, perhaps with a light dusting of powdered sugar. But it also pairs beautifully with fresh berries, fruit compote, or citrus glazes.
In colder months, consider serving it with warm spiced apples or poached pears. During summer, macerated strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream can turn a simple slice into a seasonal masterpiece. For more indulgence, drizzle it with caramel sauce or dark chocolate ganache.
If you’re entertaining, try cutting the cake into cubes and skewering them with fruit for elegant dessert kabobs. You can even grill slices lightly for a warm, toasty twist.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This cake keeps exceptionally well. In fact, many bakers say it tastes even better a day or two after baking, as the flavors have had more time to develop. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, it freezes beautifully—just wrap in layers and freeze for up to 3 months.
If freezing, it’s a good idea to slice the cake first and wrap individual portions. That way, you can thaw just what you need without defrosting the whole cake.
Occasions and Traditions
In many Southern homes, this cake isn’t just dessert—it’s a tradition. It’s brought out for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and funerals alike. It’s a gesture of care and love, often delivered to friends or neighbors during times of celebration or mourning.
It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift, especially when baked in mini loaf pans and wrapped in pretty parchment or twine. Because of its durability and shelf life, it travels well, making it a popular choice for mail-order or holiday shipping.
Modern Variations
Though the original remains the gold standard, there are countless variations that use this cake as a base. Some bakers like to fold in lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist. Others swirl in jam, chocolate, or even cream cheese filling for added decadence.
You can also adapt the recipe to suit dietary needs, using gluten-free flour blends or dairy-free cream cheese alternatives. While the results may vary slightly, the core richness and texture often remain impressively close to the original.
Why This Cake Endures
The enduring popularity of Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake comes down to more than just taste. It’s a sensory experience that evokes warmth, nostalgia, and connection. Each slice is a reminder of simpler times—of home kitchens, shared meals, and family stories passed down with recipes.
It’s also incredibly accessible. You don’t need professional skills or exotic ingredients to make it, just a little time, care, and the desire to bring joy to those around you.
Conclusion
Southern Living’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake is more than a recipe—it’s a ritual. It offers comfort in its familiarity and indulgence in its rich flavor and texture. Whether you’re baking it for the first time or the fiftieth, it never fails to deliver joy, slice by slice.
So next time you’re looking for a dessert that’s both elegant and effortless, consider this timeless classic. In a world full of ever-evolving food trends, the humble pound cake—especially one enriched with cream cheese—proves that some traditions are delicious enough to last forever.