Chocolate Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
This Chocolate Cheese Pound Cake is a delightful combination of rich chocolate and creamy cheese, resulting in a moist and decadent treat perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it as a dessert or indulging in a slice with your morning coffee, this pound cake is sure to impress. The addition of cream cheese not only enhances the texture but also adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the chocolate. Here’s how to make this scrumptious cake.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by ensuring that all your ingredients are at room temperature. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth, even batter. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 10-inch Bundt pan or two loaf pans generously with butter. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out any excess.
2. Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The combination of these two ingredients forms the rich and creamy base of your pound cake.
3. Add the Sugar: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, beating well after each addition. Continue to beat on medium speed for an additional 3 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy and pale in color.
4. Incorporate the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are fully incorporated, which helps in creating a smooth and consistent batter. After adding all the eggs, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—do not overmix, as this can lead to a dense cake.
7. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The chocolate chips will add pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cake, enhancing the overall chocolate flavor.
8. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles trapped in the batter. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 75-85 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If using loaf pans, check for doneness around the 60-minute mark.
9. Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Afterward, carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Make the Chocolate Glaze: While the cake cools, prepare the chocolate glaze. In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. If you prefer, you can also melt the ingredients in a double boiler.
11. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the chocolate glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. For a more polished look, use a spatula to spread the glaze evenly over the cake.
12. Serve and Enjoy: Let the glaze set for about 10-15 minutes before slicing the cake. This pound cake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Tips for the Perfect Pound Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring that your butter, cream cheese, eggs, milk, and sour cream are at room temperature is key to achieving a smooth, even batter and a tender crumb.
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing the batter, especially after adding the flour, can lead to a dense and tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Proper Cooling: Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing or slicing to prevent it from falling apart.
This Chocolate Cheese Pound Cake is a rich and indulgent dessert that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. Whether for a special occasion or just because, this cake is sure to be a hit with chocolate lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike. Enjoy!
