Espresso Pound Cake with Cranberries and Pecans

A rich, moist pound cake infused with espresso flavor and studded with cranberries and pecans. This elegant dessert features a sweet coffee glaze and is topped with additional nuts and dried fruit for extra texture and visual appeal.

12 servings
2 hr

Ingredients

  • 1⅜ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup golden brown sugar
  • 1⅔ tablespoons instant espresso powder
  • 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
  • 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 9 x 5 x 3-inch metal loaf pan. Dust pan with flour, tapping out excess.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Whisk eggs and vanilla in small bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon espresso powder in large bowl until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer running, gradually add egg mixture. Add flour mixture in 2 additions, beating on low speed just to blend after each addition. Beat batter 30 seconds on medium speed. Add 3/4 cup pecans and 3/4 cup cranberries; beat just to incorporate evenly. Transfer batter to pan.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Bake cake until top is golden and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 5 minutes. Invert cake; remove pan. Turn cake top side up; cool on rack.

    75 min

  4. 4.

    Mix powdered sugar, milk, and 2 teaspoons espresso powder in medium bowl. Spread glaze over top of cake, allowing some to drip down sides. Sprinkle 1/4 cup nuts and 1/4 cup cranberries over. Let stand until glaze sets, about 20 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

    25 min

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