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

Published October 4, 2025

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
•1½ cups powdered sugar
•2 tablespoons milk

Cooking Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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

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

•1½ cups powdered sugar

•2 tablespoons milk

Cooking Instructions

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

5 min

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

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

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