Soft & Moist Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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## **👩‍🍳 Instructions**

### **1️⃣ Prepare the Ingredients**
1. Preheat your oven to **325°F (163°C)** and grease and flour a **9×5-inch loaf pan** or a **10-inch bundt pan** for a more decorative shape.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the **flour**, **baking powder**, **baking soda**, and **salt**. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, blend the **fresh strawberries** into a smooth puree. You’ll need about **1/2 cup** of this puree for the cake batter. Set aside any extra for the glaze.

### **2️⃣ Make the Pound Cake Batter**
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the **butter** and **cream cheese** together until light and fluffy using an electric mixer (about 3-4 minutes).
2. Gradually add the **sugar** and continue beating until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
3. Add the **eggs**, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in the **vanilla extract** and **strawberry puree**.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients, alternating with the **milk**. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

### **3️⃣ Bake the Cake**
1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan or bundt pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for **60-70 minutes** (for a loaf) or **50-55 minutes** (for a bundt pan), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
3. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about **10 minutes** before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

### **4️⃣ Make the Strawberry Glaze (Optional)**
1. While the cake is cooling, whisk together the **powdered sugar**, **strawberry puree**, and **milk** in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake for an extra layer of sweetness and a pop of strawberry flavor.

### **5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!**
1. Slice the cake and serve as is or with fresh whipped cream, additional strawberries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
2. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to **3 days** or refrigerate for **up to a week**.

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## **🍽 Tips & Variations**

✔ **Add Strawberry Pieces:** For extra texture, you can fold in **diced fresh strawberries** into the batter before baking. This will give you bursts of fresh fruit in each slice.
✔ **Make It Even More Indulgent:** Add a dollop of **whipped cream** or a scoop of **vanilla ice cream** on top for an indulgent treat.
✔ **Change Up the Glaze:** Try substituting the strawberry glaze with a **cream cheese glaze** or even a **chocolate drizzle** for a different flavor profile.
✔ **Add Zest for Extra Flavor:** A teaspoon of **lemon zest** or **orange zest** in the batter can complement the strawberry flavor beautifully.
✔ **Make Mini Pound Cakes:** If you want individual servings, you can bake the batter in mini loaf pans for a fun twist.

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### **✨ Final Thoughts**

**Soft & Moist Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake** is the perfect dessert to enjoy year-round, but it especially shines during the warmer months when strawberries are in season. With its rich, buttery texture, vibrant strawberry flavor, and creamy glaze, this cake is sure to be a hit at any gathering. It’s easy to make, wonderfully moist, and full of sweet, fruity goodness that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds.

💬 **Tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out!** 🍓🍰

Looking for more fruity cakes or irresistible dessert recipes? Feel free to ask, and I’d be happy to share more delicious ideas!