Description
Sweet summer memories bloom in this strawberry lemonade pound cake loaf, blending zesty citrus notes with luscious berry undertones. Moist crumb and tangy glaze invite you to savor each delightful slice of pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease and flour coating.
- Using a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
- Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Blend in vanilla and lemon extracts for enhanced flavor profile.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt through a whisking motion.
- Gradually integrate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Maintain a gentle mixing technique, starting and concluding with dry ingredients until just incorporated.
- Delicately fold lemon zest and diced strawberries into the batter, distributing ingredients evenly without overmixing.
- Transfer batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge clean. Cover with foil if top browns too rapidly.
- Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Construct the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until achieving a silky consistency. Optional: incorporate strawberry puree for additional color and flavor dimension.
- Once cake reaches room temperature, artfully drizzle glaze across the surface. Permit glaze to set briefly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Prevent strawberries from sinking by tossing them in a light dusting of flour before folding into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake.
- Achieve a tender crumb by using room temperature ingredients, which blend more smoothly and create a more uniform texture.
- Enhance lemon flavor by adding a tablespoon of lemon zest directly into the glaze for an extra bright, citrusy punch.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s soft and moist consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 434
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 166 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg