A decadent and moist chocolate cream cheese pound cake Gordon Ramsay recipe is a showstopper dessert. This indulgent treat combines the richness of chocolate with the tangy creaminess of cream cheese, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Imagine sinking your fork into a slice of moist, chocolatey pound cake, the tang of cream cheese adding a delightful surprise in every bite.
This chocolate cream cheese pound cake is perfect for special occasions or a weekend treat. It’s sure to impress your family and friends with its rich flavor and beautiful presentation. While this isn’t a specific Gordon Ramsay creation, it incorporates the quality and techniques you’d expect from a Ramsay-inspired dessert. For more delicious cake recipes, check out our pound cake recipe collection.
This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even if you’re a beginner baker. With clear step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to create this impressive dessert with confidence. Get ready to discover the delicious magic of a chocolate cream cheese pound cake! If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like our chocolate pound cake.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
Ingredient Spotlight: Cream Cheese
The cream cheese in this recipe isn’t just an afterthought; it plays a starring role. It adds a wonderful tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the chocolate. Even more, the cream cheese creates a wonderfully moist and dense texture, making this pound cake truly irresistible.
Gordon Ramsay’s Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. This will prevent the cake from sticking and ensure a clean release.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for the batter. Use an electric mixer for best results.
- Sugar and Eggs: Gradually add the sugar, beating until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Looking for other ways to use buttermilk? Try our mayonnaise biscuit recipe.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and spread evenly. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Down: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake prevents it from crumbling.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Pound Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them blend together smoothly.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Oven Temperature: Accurate oven temperature is crucial. Use an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is calibrated correctly.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 60-minute mark. Insert a wooden skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Troubleshooting Common Pound Cake Problems
- Dry Cake: If your pound cake is dry, it might be overbaked. Try reducing the baking time by a few minutes. You can also try brushing the cake with simple syrup after it cools to add moisture. For more tips, see our guide on how to keep pound cake moist.
- Sunken Cake: A sunken cake can result from opening the oven door too early or underbaking. Avoid opening the oven door during the first hour of baking. Make sure the cake is fully baked in the center before removing it from the oven.
Chocolate Ganache (Optional)
A rich and decadent chocolate ganache elevates this chocolate cream cheese pound cake to the next level. It’s surprisingly easy to make and adds a beautiful glossy finish. While this isn’t a specific Gordon Ramsay recipe, it embodies his principles of simple elegance and impactful flavor. Learn more about the health benefits of cocoa powder.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
This ganache is incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, like dark chocolate or milk chocolate, to create your own unique flavor combinations. You can also add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor. For those interested in the nutritional aspects of chocolate, here’s a guide to the health benefits of dark chocolate.
Making Gordon Ramsay’s Chocolate Ganache
- Heat the Cream: Place the heavy cream in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not boil.
- Pour over Chocolate: Remove the cream from the heat and pour it over the finely chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute to melt the chocolate.
- Whisk and Add Butter: Gently whisk the mixture until smooth and glossy. Stir in the softened butter until combined. This adds richness and shine to the ganache.
Now, drizzle this luscious ganache over your cooled chocolate cream cheese pound cake and prepare for pure chocolate heaven!
Serving and Storage
This chocolate cream cheese pound cake is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it further with a few simple additions. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the rich chocolate flavor beautifully. Fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries, add a touch of brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate syrup adds an elegant touch. You can find more delicious serving suggestions for pound cake in our Just a Little Bite recipes.
Consider serving this pound cake with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. It’s also perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or potlucks. A warm slice of this cake is pure comfort food, and sharing it with loved ones makes it even more special. No matter how you serve it, this chocolate cream cheese pound cake is guaranteed to impress!
Storing Your Pound Cake
To keep your pound cake fresh and moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gordon Ramsay’s famous dessert?
While Gordon Ramsay is renowned for his savory dishes, he doesn’t have one specific “famous” dessert. He’s created many stunning desserts, often featuring classic techniques with a refined, modern twist. His sticky toffee pudding is a popular choice, showcasing his skill with rich, comforting flavors. While this chocolate cream cheese pound cake isn’t a signature Ramsay dish, it certainly reflects his emphasis on quality ingredients and balanced flavors. For more Ramsay-inspired dishes, try his scrambled eggs recipe.
Why does my cream cheese pound cake fall?
A fallen pound cake can be disappointing, but it’s often easily preventable. Common culprits include overmixing the batter, opening the oven door too early during baking, or an incorrect oven temperature. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a dense and potentially fallen cake. Maintaining a consistent oven temperature and resisting the urge to peek too soon helps the cake rise properly.
What makes a pound cake turn out dry?
Overbaking is the most common reason for a dry pound cake. Baking for too long removes too much moisture. Using too much flour or not enough fat (butter and cream cheese, in this case) can also contribute to dryness. Using accurate measurements and checking for doneness with a toothpick at the recommended time helps ensure a moist and tender cake.
How do you make Gordon Ramsay’s chocolate ganache?
Gordon Ramsay’s approach to chocolate ganache is typically simple yet effective. It often involves heating heavy cream to a simmer and pouring it over finely chopped chocolate. Allowing the hot cream to melt the chocolate gently, followed by gentle whisking, creates a smooth and glossy ganache. The ratio of cream to chocolate can be adjusted for desired consistency, with more cream yielding a thinner ganache.
Enjoying Your Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of baking a beautiful and delicious cake from scratch. This chocolate cream cheese pound cake, inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s focus on quality and flavor, is a true testament to that. I hope this recipe brings joy to your kitchen and creates a memorable dessert experience for you and your loved ones.
Baking is a journey of discovery, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Share your baking triumphs and any creative variations you try in the comments below. Did you add a different type of chocolate? Perhaps a swirl of raspberry sauce? I can’t wait to hear about your delicious adventures!