Christmas Cranberry Cake
Christmas is a time for celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious and festive cake? The Christmas cranberry cake is the perfect dessert to serve at any holiday gathering. The sweet and tart flavors of cranberries, combined with the rich and buttery texture of the cake, create a perfect balance of flavors. If you’re looking for a cake that is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and delivers a mouth-watering result, then you’re in the right place. We have a foolproof Christmas cranberry cake recipe that will be the perfect addition to your holiday table. So, get ready to learn how to create a cake that will leave your guests feeling satisfied and delighted.
How Can You Add More Flavor to This Christmas Cranberry Cake?
Absolutely! The thing about cakes is that you can add different ingredients to make them more flavorsome and give them more texture. Here are a few ways you can make this Christmas cranberry cake more festive:
- Chocolate: Adding chocolate chips to the cake adds a rich, deep chocolaty flavor we all love. Add white, milk, or dark chocolate chips to this cake. Gently fold the chocolate chips before baking the cake and enjoy a delicious blend of flavors.
- Mixed berries: You can use mixed berries other than cranberries. Berries are a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making this cake tasteful.
- Nuts: Adding chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, almond, or macadamia adds a crunch to the cake, making it more enjoyable.
- Booze: Enjoy the spirit of Christmas by adding a little booze to your Christmas cranberry cake. Add dark or light rum or a splash of your favorite whiskey or brandy for spicy notes. If you love the citrusy flavor, feel free to add orange liqueur.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon powder or nutmeg can take your cake to the next level. It not only adds notes of sweet and woodsy flavor but also brings in warmth and aroma.
How to Make Gluten-Free Christmas Cranberry Cake
If you want to make a gluten-free Christmas cranberry cake, all you have to do is replace one main ingredient, i.e., all-purpose flour. You can either choose gluten-free all-purpose flour or use a completely different combination.
For every 2 cups of all-purpose flour, use:
- 1 ¼ cup rice flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
Which Frosting Is Best for Christmas Cranberry Cake?
There are several frosting ideas when it comes to the Christmas cranberry cake. Here are a few ideas for you to try:
- Marzipan: A traditional frosting made with ground almonds, sugar, egg whites, and honey. It has a sweet, fluffy, and almond-like flavor.
- Royal Icing: Made with icing sugar, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Perfect for decorating both cakes and cookies.
- Buttercream Frosting: Versatile and flavorful. Choose from American, Italian, or Swiss buttercream for your preferred taste.
Can You Store Christmas Cranberry Cake?
Store leftover Christmas cranberry cake by placing it in a cool, dry place. It will last for up to 3 days on your kitchen counter. If you wish to refrigerate it, you can, but the cake may dry out.
Christmas Cranberry Cake – The Recipe
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 16 slices
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, room temp
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ tsp. baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″x13″ pan with non-stick spray.
- In a mixing bowl, add sugar and eggs. Whisk using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and slightly thick.
- Add vanilla extract, baking powder, and butter. Continue to whisk for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour, whisking until just combined. Add cranberries and gently mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level it.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.
- Let cool, remove from the pan, and place on a cooling rack.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and serve your Christmas cranberry cake.
