Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze

This Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a delightful blend of traditional and modern flavors, featuring a rich, buttery texture enhanced with cream cheese for moisture. A zesty lemon glaze adds a refreshing twist that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. It's easy to prepare and offers a satisfying balance of flavors without compromising on the sweet essence of a classic cake.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice to create the glaze.
10. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top.