Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake (Printable)

Buttery pound cake loaf with vibrant strawberry marbling and a smooth vanilla glaze, perfect for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Strawberry Swirl

01 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
02 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch

→ Pound Cake

05 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
09 - 1 cup granulated sugar
10 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
11 - 1/3 cup sour cream, room temperature
12 - 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Vanilla Glaze

14 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons milk
16 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until strawberries break down and mixture thickens slightly. Dissolve cornstarch in 1 teaspoon water and stir into the strawberry mixture. Cook for 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
04 - In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
05 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract.
06 - On low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour. Do not overmix.
07 - Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the cooled strawberry mixture over the batter and swirl gently with a knife. Repeat with remaining batter and strawberry mixture, swirling the top layer.
08 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
09 - Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over the cooled loaf. Allow glaze to set before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Stunning visual appeal with vibrant strawberry swirls throughout the cake
  • Perfect balance of rich, buttery pound cake and fresh fruit flavor
  • Impressive presentation that's easier to make than it looks
  • Versatile dessert suitable for spring gatherings, teatime, or everyday enjoyment
  • The homemade strawberry swirl offers superior flavor compared to artificial alternatives
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth, evenly textured batter
  • Don't skip cooling the strawberry mixture completely—warm fruit can disrupt batter consistency
  • Use gentle swirling motions with a knife; overworking creates muddy color instead of distinct swirls
  • Check doneness at 50 minutes; oven temperatures vary and overbaking leads to dry cake
  • Let the glaze set fully before slicing for clean, professional-looking pieces
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best texture and flavor
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