Mini Cherry Pound Cakes, a cup of steaming tea, and a tree-side chat is my new favorite way to end the day.
I had a craving. And a revelation. I’d been dreaming for days about my sister Nicole’s cherry pound cakes, and thinking for days about what to share as a final post before Christmas. Eureka!!
A homemade holiday gift that Nic bestows, these little glazed cakes are tender and delectable – everything we love about pound cake…and then some! Buttery and sweet, they hit the mark. The best thing about them? Their luscious almond-cherry flavor.
Nicole discovered this recipe years ago. Published in Christmas with Southern Living 2004, it’s been a staple in her house for a good long time, and I predict will become one in my house, too. Nic obligingly texted me photos of the recipe straight from her cookbook, and before even reading a word, I knew it was a keeper…any recipe that is covered in splatters and splashes must be tried and true!
I’ve adapted the recipe, ever-so-slightly, by making the cakes even smaller than the already petite loaves that the original recipe makes. By using two 8-cavity non-stick mini loaf pans, I’ve gone all-out mini. A lovely dessert for one, or sweet nibbles to share, these adorable little cakes make for a nice addition to your holiday fare.
INGREDIENTS FOR MINI CHERRY POUND CAKES:
For the cakes:
- maraschino cherries
- butter
- shortening
- sugar
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- milk
- almond extract
- vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- butter
- cream cheese
- powdered sugar
- milk
- vanilla extract
- maraschino cherries
Whether you enjoy these mini cakes for dessert, or by the tree with a cup of tea, I hope they help accentuate the moment with sweetness.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful holiday.
Buon Appetito!
MORE HOLIDAY SWEETS:
MILK CHOCOLATE ROASTED PEANUT CLUSTERS
HOLIDAY ‘HELLO DOLLY’ COOKIE BARS
CHOCOLATE ITALIAN MEATBALL COOKIES
Mini Cherry Pound Cakes
Description
Mini Cherry Pound Cakes, a cup of steaming tea, and a tree-side chat is my new favorite way to end the day.
Ingredients
Mini Pound Cakes
1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Glaze
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped cherries
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300 F.
Drain cherries and discard the juice. Chop cherries and set aside.
Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with electric hand mixer until creamy.
Gradually add sugar, beating for 1 minute.
Add eggs one at a time, beating until yolk is fully mixed in.
In a small bowl, combine flour and salt.
Gradually add flour to butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Beat at low speed until fully combined.
Stir in extracts and a heaping 1/2 cup of chopped cherries. (Save remaining cherries for the glaze.)
Spoon batter into prepared mini loaf pans.
Bake for 35 – 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. (Check at 35 min.)
In the meantime, prepare glaze. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk. Beat until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and remaining chopped cherries. Set aside.
Remove cakes from the oven and cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.
Remove cakes from pans. Place on wire racks set on large sheets of wax paper.
Drizzle cherry glaze over the slightly warm cakes.
Serve warm, or refrigerate and bring to room temperature when ready to serve.
Notes
Adapted from Christmas with Southern Living 2004
The pans I used: Perfect Results Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pans 8-Cavity (Not sponsored.)
Ummm I really want to try this recipe, but I’m not much of a baker and the ingredient ‘shortening sugar’ has me stumped. Please explain?
Hi Laura – sorry about that! That was a typo… they are two separate ingredients. It’s fixed in the body of the post; although the recipe card was correct. I hope you try it – soooo good!
The icing and cherry cookies look great! I will definitely try to cook it! Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!
These are so pretty and fun! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Mimi! Happy holidays!
I love cherries so much and your mini pound cakes look sooo soft! I know I’d love these. Merry Christmas to you my friend!! XO
I think you’d love them, Katherine! Hoping your holiday season is absolutely wonderful!
These look so fluffy and delicious Annie! I know we’d really enjoy the flavors. They’d be perfect for gifting too!
They make for the perfect homemade gift! Have a great week, my friend!
These look delicious! 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
Just lovely and the perfect bit alongside a cuppa 🙂 And of course, all those bits of pretty cherries are perfectly festive. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Annie!
Merry Christmas, Jennifer! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday!