Million Dollar Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Million Dollar Cream Cheese Pound Cake

📝 Ingredients

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 7 large eggs, room temperature
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract (or 1 tbsp vanilla + 1 tbsp almond extract for amazing flavor)
  • Optional: zest of 1 lemon or orange

🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the oven & pan

  • Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  • Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan (or two loaf pans).
  • For extra insurance, line the bottom with parchment or use baking spray with flour.

2. Cream the butter, cream cheese & sugar

  1. In a stand mixer, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
  2. Add the sour cream and beat until fully incorporated.
  3. Add sugar gradually and beat 5 minutes until very light and creamy.
    → The extra creaming is key to the cake’s signature velvety crumb.

3. Add the eggs

  • Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
  • Scrape down the bowl as needed.

4. Add dry ingredients

  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Add the dry mixture to the batter in 3 additions, mixing on low just until combined.
  3. Add the vanilla (and any zest or almond extract).
  4. Do not overmix.

5. Bake

  1. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
  2. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes – 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on your oven.
  3. Cake is done when:
    • A skewer comes out mostly clean
    • Top is golden
    • Edges pull slightly from the pan

If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

6. Cool

  • Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes.
  • Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

✨ Optional Enhancements

Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp cream or water
  • ½ tsp vanilla

Whisk and drizzle over cooled cake.

Cream Cheese Frosting Drip

  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp cream
  • ½ tsp vanilla

Beat until smooth and drizzle thickly over the top.

Lemon Variation

Add zest of 2 lemons + replace 1 tbsp vanilla with 2 tbsp lemon juice.

🍰 Tips for a Perfect Million Dollar Pound Cake

  • Use room temperature butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs.
  • Cream the butter & sugar LONGER than you think — it creates the luxurious texture.
  • Bake low and slow at 325°F for a velvety crumb.
  • Let the cake fully cool before slicing for clean, beautiful slices.

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