Christmas Cranberry Cake

Introduction

The Christmas Cranberry Cake is a delightful and festive dessert perfect for your holiday celebrations. Its rich flavor combined with the tartness of cranberries makes it a favorite among family and friends. With a creamy frosting and festive garnishes, this cake not only tastes incredible but also looks beautiful on your holiday table.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Christmas Cranberry Cake is a wonderful way to bring joy and sweetness to your holiday gatherings. It’s simple to prepare, and the ingredients are easy to find. The warm flavors and bright colors make it ideal for Christmas, and it’s sure to impress your guests. Plus, it’s a great way to use fresh cranberries, which are in season during the holidays.

How to Make Christmas Cranberry Cake

Making this cake involves a few straightforward steps. You’ll start by mixing your wet ingredients and sugar before adding flour and cranberries. Once mixed, simply bake it and let it cool before adding a delicious cream cheese frosting. Finally, a lovely drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of dried cranberries make this cake festive and fun.

Ingredients

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into chunks
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp whole milk
2 cups flour, plus more to coat the cranberries
2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (one 12 oz bag)
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened (for frosting)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (add more for desired consistency)
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Handful of dried cranberries (for garnish)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Coat the cranberries with flour in a small bowl.
Beat the eggs and sugar for 5-7 minutes until thick and creamy.
Add the softened butter and vanilla, mix well, then beat in the milk and salt.
Gradually stir in the flour and gently fold in the coated cranberries.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
Frost the cooled cake and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the cake, then sprinkle with dried cranberries.
Allow to set before serving.

How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Cake

Slice the Christmas Cranberry Cake into pieces and serve it on a festive plate. It pairs well with coffee or tea, making it a lovely treat for holiday gatherings. You can also enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special dessert.

How to Store Christmas Cranberry Cake

Store your Christmas Cranberry Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for about 4-5 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the cake without frosting for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it well.

Tips to Make Christmas Cranberry Cake

Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easy mixing.
Don’t skip coating the cranberries with flour; it helps them float evenly in the batter.
If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can add more sugar to the frosting.
Feel free to add nuts for extra crunch!

Variation

You can change the flavor of the frosting by adding lemon zest or orange zest for a citrus twist. You could also substitute walnuts or pecans for a different texture in the cake.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
A1: Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just make sure to keep them frozen until you are ready to use them, and you don’t need to defrost them.

Q2: Can I make this cake in advance?
A2: Yes, you can make the cake a day or two in advance. Just store it properly and add the frosting closer to serving time.

Q3: What can I use instead of cream cheese?
A3: If you want a different flavor, you can use mascarpone or Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese, though the taste will change slightly.