This recipe for cranberry cake is a perfect holiday dessert. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s so moist, rich, and decadent, you’ll be dreaming about it all year long.
Are you looking for a festive dessert to make for your upcoming holiday party? Why not try this delicious cranberry cake? It’s the perfect blend of sweet and tart, and it’s sure to please everyone.
Plus, it’s easy to make, so you can focus on enjoying your party. So what are you waiting for? Try this cranberry cake today!
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Is there anything better than a delicious and moist cranberry cake during the holidays? Cranberry Cake is the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving!
This recipe is so easy to follow and it yields a delicious, moist cake that everyone will love. Be sure to give this recipe a try this holiday season!
Cranberry Cake Recipe
Here are some commonly asked questions
How long does it take to make this cake?
This cake is simple to make in just over an hour. The batter whips up quickly, in just about 10-15 minutes. Then once you get it baking, and you clean up your dishes it is ready in no time at all.
What is cranberry cake?
A cranberry cake is a dessert cake typically made with fresh or frozen cranberries. It can also include other fruits, such as raisins, currants, or chopped apples.
What kitchen tools do I need to make this cake recipe?
You will need the following tools to make this recipe –
- Mixing Bowl
- 9×13 baking dish
- mixer
- prep bowls
- wooden spoons
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients for Cranberry Cake
- granulated sugar
- eggs – large
- butter – softened to room temperature
- vanilla extract
- almond extract
- all-purpose flour
- whole cranberries – fresh or frozen
Can this cake be frozen?
Yes – this cake can be frozen. I actually did freeze this one here in the photos so I can lessen the prep for the holidays this year.
Make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and then another layer or either plastic wrap or press and seal. Then keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to thaw the cake you will want to place it in the refrigerator the day before you’d like to serve it.
Does cranberry cake need to be refrigerated?
No, this cranberry cake does not need to be refrigerated. However, it will last longer if it is stored in the fridge.
How to Make Cranberry Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9×13 baking pan or casserole dish with parchment paper and then set aside.
- Using a stand mixer, combine the sugar and eggs. Beat with the whisk attachment until thick and fluffy. This takes 5-7 minutes.
- Then beat in the butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Switch to the paddle attachment and slowly mix in the flour.
- Remove the bowl and then fold the cranberries into the batter using a firm rubber spatula. The mixture will be quite thick – that’s okay.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. I found that the easiest way to smooth it out into the pan is to dampen your hands and press it into an even layer in the pan as you would cookie dough.
- Sprinkle the top with some of the additional granulated sugar.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the toothpick test comes out clean. This one was done in 57 minutes.
- Remove and place the pan on a wire rack to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Can you make a cranberry cake with white chocolate?
Yes – add chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips to the batter when you are folding in the cranberries. White chocolate is a wonderful pairing with cranberries.
Pro Tips for Cranberry Cake
- Add chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts
- Swap out the almond extract with orange zest
- This can be made using a large bowl and hand mixer or electric mixer.
- Don’t skip adding sugar to the top of the cake.
- The cake batter will be thick once the dry ingredients are added.
- I prefer using fresh cranberries but frozen will work fine too.
- Be sure to watch the baking time once you get past 45 minutes since all ovens bake a bit differently.
- You can add a splash of orange juice or orange extract in place of the extracts if desired.
- This sweet buttery cranberry Christmas cake recipe is similar to coffee cake in its consistency with tart cranberries, a tender crumb, and sparkling sugar on top gives the perfect sweetness to the cake.
- This delicious cake is the perfect cake for serving at Christmas dinner, bringing to a potluck, or another holiday gathering.
- Top with a simple orange glaze or fresh orange zest for added flavor.
- If you want to give this to neighbors for holiday gifts, make this Christmas cranberry cake in disposable pans.
- I have not tested this with almond flour or any other flour substitute.
- If you would like to make this when it isn’t the holiday season, try swapping the cranberries with fresh blueberries.
- Try sprinkling the top with a little orange zest for a pop of flavor.
Don’t miss these other great cranberry recipes
- Sparkling Cranberries
- Cranberry Orange Mimosa
- Cranberry Salad Recipe
- Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
- Cranberry Quick Bread
- Crockpot Cranberry Cider
- Cranberry Cupcakes
- Apple Cranberry Spritzer
Why is cranberry cake popular for the holidays?
Cranberry cake is popular for the holidays because cranberries are in season during these months. Cranberries are also a traditional flavor for the holidays. This cake can be served as a dessert or as a snack cake.
What to Serve with Cranberry Cake
Here are a few options for recipes to serve with this classic cake…
What is the best frosting for a cranberry cake?
The best frosting for a cranberry cake is buttercream frosting. You can also use cream cheese frosting or whipped cream frosting.
How long does a Cranberry Cake last?
This cranberry cake will last for 2-3 days.
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Products I love when making this cranberry cake…
This cake recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made a classic holiday cake recipe like this before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this dessert recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)
If you love this easy cranberry cake recipe, you’re going to love these other holiday recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Cranberry Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar + more for topping
- 3 eggs – large
- 3/4 cup butter – softened to room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 12 ounces whole cranberries – fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9×13 baking pan or casserole dish with parchment paper and then set aside.
- Using a stand mixer, combine the sugar and eggs. Beat with the whisk attachment until thick and fluffy. This takes 5-7 minutes.
- Then beat in the butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Switch to the paddle attachment and slowly mix in the flour.
- Remove the bowl and then fold the cranberries into the batter using a firm rubber spatula. The mixture will be quite thick – that’s okay.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. I found that the easiest way to smooth it out into the pan is to dampen your hands and press it into an even layer in the pan as you would cookie dough.
- Sprinkle the top with some of the additional granulated sugar.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the toothpick test comes out clean. This one was done in 57 minutes.
- Remove and place the pan on a wire rack to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- 9×13 baking dish
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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