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Christmas Cranberry Cake

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This festive Christmas Cranberry Cake is a delightful dessert that brings together the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweetness of a moist cake. Topped with a sugary glaze and a sprinkle of zest, this cake is a perfect holiday treat. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or just enjoying the season, this cake is sure to impress with its beautiful color and rich flavor. It’s an easy-to-make yet elegant dessert that pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or coffee. Ideal for family gatherings or as a thoughtful homemade gift, this cake will be the star of your holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for coating cranberries)

For the glaze:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 teaspoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
  • Prepare cranberries: Toss the fresh cranberries in a tablespoon of cornstarch to lightly coat them. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while baking. Set aside.
  • Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
  • Add the dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with sour cream and orange juice, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  • Fold in cranberries: Gently fold the coated cranberries into the batter.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Prepare the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and orange zest to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cake.
  • Serve: Slice and enjoy this festive, delicious Christmas Cranberry Cake!

Notes

  • For a twist, you can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
  • Make sure the cranberries are fresh, as frozen cranberries can be too moist and affect the texture.
  • The cake can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • If you don’t have orange juice or zest, lemon works as a great substitute.

Keywords: Christmas Cranberry Cake, Holiday cake, Cranberry dessert, Festive cake, Christmas treats, Cranberry orange cake, Easy Christmas dessert, Moist cranberry cake, Homemade Christmas cake, Cranberry cake recipe

Find it online: https://inqelab.com/christmas-cranberry-cake/