Description

This Cranberry Christmas Cake is a festive and delicious dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring fresh cranberries baked into a moist, buttery cake with hints of vanilla and almond extract, it offers a beautiful balance of tart and sweet flavors. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, this cake is sure to brighten up any Christmas celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

3 large eggs (room temperature)
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
12 ounces fresh cranberries
Powdered sugar for garnish

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is at the right temperature for even baking.
Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
Beat Eggs and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is slightly thickened and light in color. It should form peaks when you lift the beaters.
Add Butter and Extracts: Incorporate the softened butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture and mix for about two minutes until well combined.
Add Flour: Slowly add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing which could make the cake dense.
Stir in Cranberries: Gently fold in the fresh cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Garnish: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Dust the top with powdered sugar to add a festive touch.

Notes

Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better volume when beating.
Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the cake tender.
Fresh cranberries provide a tart contrast; if unavailable, frozen cranberries may be used but thaw and drain them first.
Use powdered sugar as garnish just before serving for best presentation.
This cake is best served at room temperature and can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cake, cranberry cake, holiday dessert, festive cake, baked cake with cranberries