The holiday season is here, and with it comes the joyful chaos of planning big meals. Let’s be honest, after all the main course planning, dessert can feel like one thing too many. You want something special, but you also don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
I’ve been there. That is why I am so excited to share this recipe for Cranberry Christmas Cake. It’s one of my favorite Christmas Dinner Desserts because it looks so impressive but is surprisingly easy to make. It’s a real showstopper that tastes like home.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this cake is incredibly straightforward. If you are new to baking, this is a great place to start. There are no complicated steps or fancy equipment needed. It’s one of those truly Simple Christmas Desserts that delivers big on flavor.
The taste is just wonderful. It has a rich, buttery crumb that is so tender. The tart cranberries cut through the sweetness, creating a balanced and festive bite every single time. It is a fantastic choice for your Holiday Desserts Christmas table.
You will also love how beautiful it looks with just a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Those red cranberries look like little jewels scattered throughout the cake. It has a rustic charm that feels so welcoming during the holidays, making it one of the best Easy Holiday Desserts.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into chunks
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for tossing the cranberries
- 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (about a 12 ounce bag)
- Powdered sugar or sparkling sugar for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Berries
First things first, get your oven preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grab a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. You will want to grease it and flour it well. This step ensures your beautiful cake comes out cleanly later.
Next, take your cranberries and place them in a small bowl. Sprinkle a handful of flour over them and toss gently. You want every berry to have a light coating. This little trick keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while it bakes.
Step 2: Create the Fluffy Egg Base
In a large bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat them together for about 5 to 7 minutes. This is an important step. You are looking for the mixture to become pale, increase in volume, and get thick.
When you lift the beaters, the batter should fall back into the bowl in slow, thick ribbons. This process incorporates a lot of air, which gives the cake its lovely light texture. It’s a key part of making great Christmas Dinner Desserts.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Now it is time to add the chunks of slightly softened butter and the vanilla extract. Beat these in until they are well incorporated, which should take about two minutes. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a little bit curdled at this stage, it will come together.
After that, beat in the milk and salt. Just mix until they are combined. You are building layers of flavor for one of the most delightful Easy Holiday Desserts.
Step 4: Fold in Flour and Cranberries
Gently stir in the flour until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix here. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much and make your cake tough. We want a tender crumb.
Finally, fold in your flour coated cranberries. Use a spatula to gently mix them throughout the batter. Now your batter is ready. Scrape every last bit into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Step 5: Bake to a Golden Brown
Place the pan in your preheated oven. The cake will bake for 40 to 50 minutes. I suggest starting to check it at the 40 minute mark, as all ovens are a little different. A tester inserted into the center should come out clean.
Keep in mind, you might get some cranberry juice on the tester, and that is perfectly okay. If the top of the cake starts to get too brown before the center is cooked, you can lightly cover it with a piece of foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Step 6: Cool and Garnish
Once it’s done baking, take the cake out of the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. You must let it cool completely in the pan before you even think about slicing it. This allows the cake to set up properly.
When it is fully cool, you can garnish it. A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes it look like a festive winter wonderland. This is how you create amazing Christmas Dinner Desserts without the stress.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing this cake is easy. You can keep it at room temperature for up to three days. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
If you want it to last a little longer, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. The buttery cake will firm up in the cold, so I recommend letting a slice sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before enjoying it.
Tips
Want to add a little extra flavor? Try adding the zest of one orange to the batter when you add the vanilla. Cranberry and orange are a classic holiday combination that works beautifully here. It adds a lovely brightness.
Don’t skip the step of beating the eggs and sugar for the full time. This is what creates the cake’s light and airy structure. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference in the final result of your Holiday Desserts Christmas treat.
For serving, this cake is wonderful on its own. But if you want to make it extra special, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side is a fantastic addition. This cake is a star among Christmas Dinner Desserts.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A beautiful, festive, and delicious Cranberry Christmas Cake that is bound to become a new holiday favorite. It is proof that Simple Christmas Desserts can be the most memorable ones.
This recipe is all about bringing warmth and joy to your holiday table without adding stress to your schedule. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this wonderful cake. Happy baking, and happy holidays! This is one of the best Christmas Dinner Desserts.
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?
Yes, absolutely. You can use frozen cranberries for this recipe. The best part is you do not need to thaw them first. Just take them straight from the freezer, toss them in flour, and fold them into the batter.
Why Did My Cranberries Sink to the Bottom?
This usually happens if the cranberries were not coated in enough flour. The light flour coating helps them grip the batter and stay suspended while the cake bakes. Make sure each berry has a nice, even dusting before you mix it in.
Can I Make This Cake in a Different Pan?
You can try. A 10 inch round cake pan would work, but you may need to adjust the baking time. A bundt pan could also be a festive option, but make sure to grease and flour it extremely well. Keep an eye on it as it bakes, as different pan shapes can change the baking time.
What Does it Mean for Eggs to ‘Stream into Ribbons’?
This is a common baking term. After beating the eggs and sugar for several minutes, the mixture becomes very thick. When you lift the beaters, the batter that drips off should be so thick that it creates a visible, ribbon like trail on the surface of the batter in the bowl for a few seconds before disappearing.
Cranberry Christmas Cake
A wonderfully easy and festive Cranberry Christmas Cake, perfect for holiday gatherings. This simple dessert features a rich, buttery crumb with tart cranberries and a beautiful dusting of powdered sugar.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, get your oven preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grab a Rectangular Cake Pan. You will want to grease it and flour it well. This step ensures your beautiful cake comes out cleanly later. Next, take your cranberries and place them in a small bowl. Sprinkle a handful of flour over them and toss gently. You want every berry to have a light coating. This little trick keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while it bakes.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Using a Cordless Hand Mixer or stand mixer, beat them together for about 5 to 7 minutes. This is an important step. You are looking for the mixture to become pale, increase in volume, and get thick. When you lift the beaters, the batter should fall back into the bowl in slow, thick ribbons. This process incorporates a lot of air, which gives the cake its lovely light texture. It’s a key part of making great Christmas Dinner Desserts.
- Now it is time to add the chunks of slightly softened butter and the vanilla extract. Beat these in until they are well incorporated, which should take about two minutes. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a little bit curdled at this stage, it will come together. After that, beat in the milk and salt. Just mix until they are combined. You are building layers of flavor for one of the most delightful Easy Holiday Desserts.
- Gently stir in the flour until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix here. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much and make your cake tough. We want a tender crumb. Finally, fold in your flour coated cranberries. Use a spatula to gently mix them throughout the batter. Now your batter is ready. Scrape every last bit into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Place the pan in your preheated oven. The cake will bake for 40 to 50 minutes. I suggest starting to check it at the 40 minute mark, as all ovens are a little different. A tester inserted into the center should come out clean. Keep in mind, you might get some cranberry juice on the tester, and that is perfectly okay. If the top of the cake starts to get too brown before the center is cooked, you can lightly cover it with a piece of foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Once it’s done baking, take the cake out of the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. You must let it cool completely in the pan before you even think about slicing it. This allows the cake to set up properly. When it is fully cool, you can garnish it. A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes it look like a festive winter wonderland. This is how you create amazing Christmas Dinner Desserts without the stress.
Notes
Want to add a little extra flavor? Try adding the zest of one orange to the batter when you add the vanilla. Cranberry and orange are a classic holiday combination that works beautifully here. It adds a lovely brightness.
Don’t skip the step of beating the eggs and sugar for the full time. This is what creates the cake’s light and airy structure. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference in the final result of your Holiday Desserts Christmas treat.
For serving, this cake is wonderful on its own. But if you want to make it extra special, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side is a fantastic addition. This cake is a star among Christmas Dinner Desserts.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
