Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday is a delightful treat that captures the essence of the festive season. This cake is not only moist and flavorful but also beautifully adorned with white chocolate cream cheese frosting and dried cranberries. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or as a sweet gift for loved ones. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet frosting creates a delicious balance that will leave everyone craving more. Let’s dive into how to bring this festive delight to your table!
Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday: 12 Festive Reasons to Bake — Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday is a delightful treat that captures the essence of the festive season. This cake is not only moist and flavorful but also beautifully adorned with white
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
This cake is a standout for several reasons. First, its rich flavor combinations—sweet, tart, and creamy—make it a perfect Cranberry Dessert for Christmas. Second, it’s visually appealing, making it an excellent centerpiece for your holiday table. You’ll find that this Cranberry Cake Recipe for Holidays is easy to follow, even for novice bakers. Additionally, it features a delightful Cranberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting that elevates it from ordinary to extraordinary. Finally, the versatility of this cake allows for numerous variations, such as Cranberry Almond Cake for Holiday Celebrations, ensuring that it can be enjoyed in many forms.
Ingredients for Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
Gather these items:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 2/3 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups cranberries
- 8 oz cream cheese, brick style, full fat
- 6 oz white chocolate, melted & cooled
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-3 tablespoons cream
- 2 oz white chocolate, melted (for topping)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (for topping)
How to Make Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch cake pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy (at least 2 minutes).
- Step 4: Add in the vanilla extract and orange zest, then mix in the eggs one at a time until combined.
- Step 5: In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the sour cream and milk.
- Step 6: With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture about one-third at a time, alternating with about one-third of the sour cream and milk mixture until combined.
- Step 7: Gently fold in the cranberries with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Step 8: Pour/spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 27-33 minutes, or until the top looks set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Step 9: Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until soft.
- Step 10: Beat in the white chocolate (make sure it’s not piping hot before adding it in).
- Step 11: Mix in the powdered sugar about one cup at a time, alternating with the cream until the desired sweetness is reached.
- Step 12: Frost the cooled cake.
- Step 13: Sprinkle the top with dried cranberries and drizzle white chocolate on top.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
Keep these in mind:
- Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Don’t overmix the batter; stop as soon as there are no visible flour streaks.
- For a festive touch, consider adding a sprinkle of orange zest on top before serving.
- This cake can be served warm or cold; both are delicious!
Best Ways to Serve Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
For an unforgettable dessert experience, serve your cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. This Delicious Cranberry Cake for Christmas Dinner pairs beautifully with coffee or spiced chai. You can also slice it into smaller pieces for a perfect dessert offering at holiday gatherings.
How to Store and Reheat Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For meal prep, consider portioning it out into smaller containers. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday
What’s the secret to perfect Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday?
The secret lies in the balance of flavors. Using fresh cranberries adds a tartness that complements the sweetness of the frosting. Ensuring your cake is baked until just done keeps it moist and tender.
Can I make Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance. Just be sure to frost it right before serving for the best flavor and presentation.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday?
To avoid common mistakes, make sure to accurately measure your ingredients and not to overmix the batter. This will ensure a moist and fluffy cake without any dense spots.
Variations of Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday You Can Try
Looking to mix things up? Consider making a Cranberry Spice Cake for the Holidays by adding spices like nutmeg or ginger. You could also try a Cranberry Holiday Cake by incorporating layers of different flavors or adding a layer of chocolate ganache between the cake layers. Another fun idea is a Moist Cranberry Cake for Christmas Parties where you add nuts or seeds for extra texture.
Cranberry Christmas Cake Holiday: 12 Festive Reasons to Bake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive Cranberry Christmas Cake perfect for the holiday season, topped with white chocolate cream cheese frosting and dried cranberries.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 2/3 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups cranberries
- 8 oz cream cheese, brick style, full fat
- 6 oz white chocolate, melted & cooled
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–3 tablespoons cream
- 2 oz white chocolate, melted (for topping)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch cake pan.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, & salt.
- In a large bowl beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy (at least 2 minutes).
- Add in the vanilla extract & orange zest, then mix in the eggs 1 at a time until combined.
- In a liquid measuring cup whisk together the sour cream and milk.
- With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture about 1/3 at a time alternating with about 1/3 of the sour cream & milk mixture until combined.
- Gently fold in the cranberries with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Pour/spoon the batter into the prepared pan & bake for 27-33 minutes, or until the top looks set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until soft.
- Beat in the white chocolate (make sure it’s not piping hot before adding it in).
- Mix in the powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, alternating with the cream until the desired sweetness is reached.
- Frost the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle the top with dried cranberries and drizzle white chocolate on top.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
