Christmas cranberry cake is the ideal dessert for the holiday season, bringing together the tartness of fresh cranberries with the warmth of spices and citrus zest. This moist, flavorful cake is as beautiful as it is delicious, making it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
The cake’s base is wonderfully tender, thanks to a mix of butter, sugar, and eggs. Adding buttermilk (or yogurt) gives it a slight tang, which complements the sweetness of the cake. The cranberries are the star of the show, providing a burst of tartness in every bite. When baked, the cranberries soften and release their juice, creating pockets of sweet-tart goodness throughout the cake. For a festive touch, you can also sprinkle a handful of cranberries on top before baking, creating a beautiful, jewel-like effect once it’s finished.
To elevate the flavors, the cake is infused with a hint of orange zest, which brightens up the rich, holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The combination of citrus and spice makes this cake incredibly aromatic and perfectly suited for Christmas. The cake itself is wonderfully moist, yet not too dense, allowing the flavors to shine without being overwhelming.
For added indulgence, top the cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, orange juice, and a dash of vanilla. The glaze adds a sweet finish that complements the tart cranberries and adds a bit of extra holiday sparkle. Alternatively, you can dust the top with powdered sugar for a more subtle, wintry look.
This Christmas cranberry cake can be made ahead of time, and it only gets better as the flavors meld together. It’s a great option for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, and is perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings. Whether served with a dollop of whipped cream or enjoyed on its own, this cake is the perfect blend of festive flavors, making it a must-bake for the season.
While it is important to maintain a balanced diet, the holiday season calls for a little indulgence. The Christmas Cranberry Cake allows you to satisfy your sweet tooth while embracing the joy and festive spirit of the occasion. Remember, moderation is key, and savoring a slice or two of this cake can be a delightful part of your holiday celebrations. For complete perfection, pair it with a chai latte.
So, get ready to spread some merry cheer with our irresistible Christmas Cranberry Cake! Gather your ingredients, preheat your ovens, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream room temperature
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
- 3 egg 1 whole and 2 egg whites lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen and thawed
- cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- cranberries Optional
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Sparkling sugar for rolling, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt.
- In another bowl, combine whole milk, sour cream, melted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in the cranberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, whole milk, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top.
- For candied cranberries (optional), toss cranberries in granulated sugar until coated. Allow them to dry, then roll in sparkling sugar. Use them as a festive garnish for the cake.
- Slice and serve the Christmas Cranberry Cake. Enjoy the festive flavors!
Nutrition
Perfect for Christmas! My kids went crazy for it! Add a little more sugar for extra sweetness if needed 😊
Great recipe! I made it for my office party. It disappeared fast, but I forgot to take a picture first! Lol.
This cake is absolutely divine! The burst of cranberry flavor is perfect for the holidays. I’m making it again this year!
I didn’t have all the ingredients and used yogurt instead of sour cream. Cake turned out weird, not sure I’d make this again.
Delish! Used frozen cranberries and they worked just fine. Cream cheese frosting was the best part!
Is it possible to leave out the cream cheese? I don’t like it and I won’t eat it!
Not the best cake I’ve made. The frosting was too sweet for my taste. A bit disappointed.
I hear ya! I find frosting can be way too sweet sometimes. Maybe you could try reducing the sugar next time or use a different frosting. Hope your next cake turns out better!
Ugh, I burnt mine. This is why I don’t bake!!
Burnt? That sucks! But maybe you just left it too long in the oven. Baking is super easy once you get the hang of it!
Don’t worry! Baking can be tricky. Maybe try lowering the oven temp next time? 😅
Too sweet for my taste. The sugar content seems way too high! Next time, I’ll cut back on the sugar.
I get what you mean! I added more cranberries and it balanced out the sweetness nicely. Maybe give that a try next time!
OMG this cake is life!! 🎉 I’m not even kidding, I ate half the pan in one sitting.
This cake was a hit at our family gathering! So moist and flavorful. Everyone loved the cranberries and cream cheese frosting!
Yum!
Why would you mix cranberries with cake? Seems weird to me. 🤔
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe for Christmas! 🎄
This cake was a hit at our holiday party! Everyone loved it! 🎉
So glad to hear that! 🎂 This recipe really brings the holiday spirit! What was your secret?
Not a fan of cranberries, but I tried this anyway. It was just ok for me. Maybe try with blueberries?
Delicious!!! Also made a gluten-free version for my friend, it worked great!
Looks fancy but was actually super easy to make! Perfect for beginners like me.
Great recipe! But…so many cranberries! Like too much! Can I use more chocolate instead? That’d be fun!!
I thought cranberries were just for sauces, but wow, this cake is awesome! I might eat the whole thing. 😂
I don’t bake much, but this was easy to follow. Though I might have added too much sugar. Sweet!
Yummy cake, but took longer to bake. Like, 50 minutes instead of 35. Oven issues maybe?