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November 19, 2020 6 Comments

Cranberry Christmas Cake

A piece of Cranberry Christmas Cake on a white plate topped with 3 whole cranberries. A fork is lying beside the plate. There's three white plates in the background with a piece of cake on top and one fork lying beside one of the plates.If you only make one thing I post this holiday season, let it be this Cranberry Christmas Cake. I am so excited about this recipe. The ingredients are simple, the steps are fun, and it could not be more delicious. Even if you’re not a cranberry fan, you might change your tune after a bite of this amazing cake. If you really can’t go there with the cranberries, promise me you’ll at least make this Gingerbread Cake.

One of the things that makes this cake unique and extra delicious is the step of whipping the eggs and sugar together for 5-7 minutes. The recipe doesn’t have baking soda or baking powder in it. So whipping the eggs for so long is what becomes the leavening agent in the cake. As a bonus, it also creates a slight, crust-like top that complements the inner texture of the cake perfectly.

Throw in the tart pop of the cranberries, and it’s a flavor combination you will not want to stop eating. Believe me! I literally had to get this cake out of the house to stop myself from eating the entire cake. I’m telling you people will rave about this cake after just one bite.

A piece of Cranberry Christmas Cake on a plate with a bite out of it topped with three whole cranberries with a fork lying next to the plate. Three more pieces of cake on white plates in the background with cranberries on top.

More Great Cakes for the Holidays

  • Out of this World Carrot Cake
  • Andes Mint Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • Raspberry Shortcake Dessert
  • Jewish Apple Cake
  • Pumpkin Coffee Cake
  • Tres Leches Cake

step by step pictures for how to make cranberry christmas cake

12-photo collage with step by step pictures for how to make Cranberry Christmas CakePartial picture of the whole Cranberry Christmas cake in a 9x13 pan dusted with powdered sugar.

Tips for making Cranberry Christmas Cake
  • Start with room temperature eggs. If the eggs are in the fridge, put them in a bowl of warm water to get them to room temperature quicker.
  • Set a timer for 5 minutes when whipping the eggs and sugar. Make sure you do it at least 5 minutes. The batter will be thick and fold down on itself when dripping off the beaters (see picture in step by step photos). This is how you know when to stop beating the batter. If at 5 minutes it hasn’t reached that consistency, continue beating for 2 more minutes.
  • Always use fresh cranberries–not canned. You can also use frozen cranberries. Thaw the cranberries before adding to the batter.
  • Do not tightly cover the cake when storing. One of the unique features of this cake is the slight crust it creates as it cooks. If you tightly cover the cake, it will cause the crust to soften.
  • This recipe works best baked in a 9×13 baking dish.
  • The recipe calls for both vanilla and almond extract. I highly recommend using both. If you don’t have almond extract, you can substitute it for more vanilla and still get a delicious result.
  • Do not frost this cake. Like stated above, the slight crust is an important texture of the cake. A light dusting of powdered sugar is all you need for this Cranberry Christmas Cake.

A whole Cranberry Christmas Cake in a 9x13 baking dish.Pinterest picture of Cranberry Christmas Cake with text of the title at the top of the picture.

More Yummy Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Apple and Walnut Fluff SaladCranberry Fluff Salad with Apples and WalnutsCranberry-Salsa-real-life-dinnerCranberry SalsaHomemade Cranberry SauceHomemade Cranberry Sauce

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Cranberry Christmas Cake
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
40 mins
Total time
50 mins
 
The absolute best Holiday Dessert! Your family will rave about this Cranberry Christmas Cake. A new dessert tradition for sure!
Author: Slightly Adapted from Barefeet in the Kitchen
Recipe type: Holiday Dessert
Serves: 16-20
Ingredients
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
Instructions
  1. Grease or spray a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the eggs and sugar for 5-7 minutes until thick and foamy. The batter will fold down slower off the beaters when consistency has been reached.
  4. Add butter and vanilla. Mix for 2 minutes.
  5. By hand, mix the flour 1 cup at a time until just combined. Don't over mix.
  6. Stir in the cranberries until just combined.
  7. Spread batter into prepared baking dish.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top of the cake should be a nice light-brown color.
  9. Let cool completely before serving.
  10. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

 

Perfect Recipes for the Holidays

Holiday-Ham-Marinade-Barbecue-HamHoliday Ham {Perfect for Easter and Christmas}yummy-funeral-potatoes-recipe-without-hashbrownsYummy Funeral PotatoesSparkling-Holiday-Punch-1Sparkling Holiday Punch

Three-picture photo Pinterest collage with text of the title in the middle of the collage.

Delicious Desserts, Desserts/Pies/Cheesecakes, Family Favorite Recipes, Holiday
Christmas cake recipes, cranberries, cranberry cake, cranberry cake recipe, cranberry cake recipes, Cranberry Christmas Cake, cranberry recipes, holiday cake, holiday cake recipes
6 Comments

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6 Comments

  1. Kate

    December 14, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Where in Germany did you find fresh cranberries?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      December 14, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Kate,

      They have them at the commissary right now. Get a second bag and make some cranberry salsa for new years. So good!

      reply to this comment
      • Kate

        December 16, 2020 at 3:44 am

        Awesome, I plan to make both for Christmas dinner, thanks for the recipe.

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          December 16, 2020 at 11:49 am

          Yum! I hope you like them as much as I do. 🙂

          reply to this comment
  2. AnnS

    January 31, 2021 at 10:01 am

    I made this during Christmas time, and it is really delicious. The almond flavor in this cake goes really well with the cranberries. I had to give some to a friend so I wouldn’t eat the whole cake myself! 🙂

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      January 31, 2021 at 3:49 pm

      Ha! Same! I couldn’t be trusted with that whole cake!

      reply to this comment

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Welcome friends!

Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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