Saturday, January 16, 2010

Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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Tonight was the third time I made this cake, and it hasn’t failed me yet. Either that means it’s extremely easy, or I’m becoming a better baker. Or maybe a bit of both.
I won’t lie – it’s rich. Any cake that doesn’t call for frosting, only powdered sugar – is probably pretty rich. Usually that doesn’t stop me, however. Me & the Hubs love our sugary frostings. But this one truly doesn’t need any frosting.
This recipe came from an insert in the Sunday paper – American Profile, I think it’s called. I usually don’t try these recipes, but I’m so glad I gave this a shot.
Tools Needed
  • Bundt pan - If you’re a new baker, it’s worth the investment, just for the array of wonderful cakes you can make in this pan. I was lucky; Mom gave me hers.
  • Mixing Bowl
  • small bowl for beating eggs
  • Mixer
  • Measuring cups for liquid
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spatula to scrape mixing bowl
  • Toothpicks to test for doneness
  • Cooling rack
Ingredients
  • butter or shortening to grease pan & flour to coat pan after greasing OR
  • this lovely stuff (see note below)
Crisco-Cooking-Spray-with_4B7E4C8E-fabulous!-pink
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened (this means room temperature or you’ll get little lumpies)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 18 oz. package yellow cake mix
  • 1 3 oz. (small) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries (I’ve always used frozen, but I thaw & drain them)
  • Powdered sugar (optional)
Note: My Bundt pan has all these cool nooks & crannies so I used the Crisco spray pictured above. It seemed a bit greasy after spraying so I coated the pan with some powdered sugar since I was going to top it w/the sugar anyway. Worked fine.
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Lightly spray 9-inch tube or Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust w/flour (or powdered sugar, as I did).
  3. Combine cream cheese and oil in medium bowl; beat with mixer at HIGH speed until smooth & creamy. 
  4. Beat the 4 eggs in small bowl.
  5. Add cake mix, pudding mix, beaten eggs and vanilla to cream cheese & oil mixture. Beat at MEDIUM speed.
  6. Fold in berries. Batter will be THICK. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
  7. Bake 60 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on rack. (If you can’t wait, it’s really good served warm.) Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
Serves 16. (Did they really say 16? Guess they cut smaller slices than we do!)
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Just look at all them blueberries! Yum! I really must try it this summer with some fresh berries, though.
I did try this once with cranberries instead of blueberries. Dried cranberries. Didn’t turn out so good. The dried cranberries absorbed any liquid and the cake was much drier. The taste was still good – just not as moist.
I’ve since made a cranberry orange nut bread and rehydrated the berries in orange juice for an hour before putting them in the batter. That might work with this cake, I don’t know. Guess I’ll have to experiment.

Ok, I'm linking to this wonderful party for the 1st time. That's a big, big step for a newbie! But, go and check out everyone else's great ideas!

Beauty and Bedlam

Happy Baking!
Colleen

11 comments:

MisAdventuresofMomof3 said...

Looks yummy Colleen! (I'm not new at cooking) but I heart new recipes. Following from MBC.

Angela C said...

I could use a piece of your cake right about now, it looks delicious! Got any left? I am following you from MBC.

Sandra said...

Awww this cake looks so yummy! Too bad I'm trying to diet. lol It isn't working out too well though.

Dropping in from Mombloggers group and I'm following you now. Thanks for following me.

I am redoing my blog, so I'll be adding you to my blogroll too.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

That looks amaaaaaazing!!! I want to give this one a try. :) I love anything with blueberries. I'm visiting from Jen's party. Hope you'll stop by! :)

Joy@TPMG said...

This looks sooo good. What a great site.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Oh yum. That sounds so decadently delicious!

Unknown said...

This cake looks soooooo yummy. Which I had a slice right now. WOW! Happy baking.

Angela said...

Yumm! This looks so good! :-D I may have to try this soon!

Aunti said...

Makes one's mouth water!

Paula@One Mom's Corner of the World said...

This looks so good! I had to bookmark it. I'm visiting from Mom Bloggers Club and signed up to be your follower. Stop by my blog when you get the chance.

Melissa said...

Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!! I linked up! Hope you will stop by and follow simple as 1-2-3~ Thanks again! Your blog(S) are way cute!!

http://simpleas1-2-3.blogspot.com/