Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Cherries & Orange — recipe brief and practical tips

# What this cake is

This cream cheese pound cake blends a traditional dense pound-cake crumb with a full block of cream cheese, chopped maraschino cherries, and bright orange zest. It's described as a good make-ahead Christmas cake that freezes well in portions.

# Why it works

# Ingredients (as provided)

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup cream cheese (8 oz)
• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 4 eggs
• Zest of 2 large oranges, finely minced
• 2 1/2 cups flour (reserve 1/4 cup to dust the cherries)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups well-drained maraschino cherries, chopped in half

Prep time: 30 minutes. Cook time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes.

# Method overview

1. 1Drain cherries very well. The author drains them on paper towels overnight with the pit-holes pointing down to avoid trapped liquid that discolors batter. Chop cherries in half when ready to use and keep the reserved 1/4 cup flour for dusting them before folding into the batter.
2. 2Make batter: cream sugar with cream cheese and butter, add extracts, eggs, and orange zest, then fold in dry ingredients with baking powder.
3. 3Dust cherries in the reserved flour just before folding them into the batter. This helps prevent bleeding and keeps cherries suspended rather than sinking.

# Practical tips and variations

• Cherry swap: Red glacé cherries may be used in place of maraschino cherries if you prefer less syrupy sweetness or a different texture.
• Citrus options: The recipe suggests trying clementines or tangerines in place of large oranges for seasonal variation.

• Freezer storage: Cut into portions, wrap pieces in multiple layers of plastic wrap, then wrap in foil to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer and thaw only what you need.

# Related uses

The batter is the same base used in the author's Cherry Pecan Cake and an Orange Brandy Fruitcake. That means you can adapt the formula by swapping mix-ins: nuts, dried fruit, or extra candied citrus will all work with the cream-cheese-rich batter.

# Bottom line