Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Prepare the Oven and Pan

1. Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking a moist and tender pound cake without the risk of overbaking the outside while the inside remains undercooked.
2. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This ensures that your cake will come out easily once it’s baked and keeps it from sticking to the pan. You can use butter or cooking spray, and then dust the pan with a little flour to prevent the cake from sticking.

Prepare the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is important for evenly distributing the dry ingredients and ensuring that the cake rises properly. Set this mixture aside for now.

Make the Cake Batter

1. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed and mix for about 3-4 minutes, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The combination of butter and cream cheese will create a rich, moist texture for your cake.
2. Once the butter, cream cheese, and sugar are well-combined, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This allows the eggs to incorporate fully into the mixture and ensures the cake batter has a smooth consistency. Don’t rush this process, as each egg helps to create structure in the cake.
3. Next, stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream. The sour cream will help keep the cake moist and tender while adding a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.

Combine the Dry Ingredients and Add the Strawberries

1. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overworking the batter can result in a denser cake. Use a spatula or mixer on low speed to avoid incorporating too much air.
2. Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, gently fold in the pureed strawberries. The pureed strawberries will give the cake its beautiful pink color and sweet, fruity flavor. Be sure to mix until the batter is evenly pink and smooth, ensuring that the strawberries are fully integrated into the cake.

Bake the Cake