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Easy Chocolate Cranberry Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 118 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Easy Chocolate Cranberry Cake combines rich semisweet chocolate and tangy cranberry sauce with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly moist and packed with festive flavors, this cake is ideal for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. The marbled cranberry cream cheese frosting adds a beautiful and tasty finish that complements the chocolate cake base.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake

  • 7 oz (200g) semisweet chocolate
  • 2/3 cup (150g) unsalted butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup (135g) sugar
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) salt
  • 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour

Cranberry Sauce

  • 9 oz (250g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/3 cup (70g) sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) orange juice
  • Zest of a large orange

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 14 oz (400g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3 tbsp (60g) honey
  • 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
  • Cranberry sauce (from above)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chocolate cake batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-inch (20cm) springform pan with butter and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter: Place the semisweet chocolate and unsalted butter together in a heatproof bowl over a bain-marie (double boiler). Stir gently until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  3. Mix eggs, sugar, and flavorings: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it is thick, pale, and light yellow in color.
  4. Combine chocolate with egg mixture: Gradually add the cooled melted chocolate and butter mixture to the egg and sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
  5. Incorporate the flour: Sift the all-purpose flour to avoid lumps, then gently fold it into the chocolate batter using a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
  6. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is set but still slightly moist in the center. Insert a toothpick to check doneness—it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool and remove cake: Run a sharp knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Let it cool for 10 minutes, then invert the cake onto a serving plate. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare the cranberry sauce: In a saucepan, combine fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cranberries have burst.
  9. Add orange zest and strain the sauce: Stir in the orange zest, then remove the sauce from heat. Pass it through a sieve to remove skins and seeds, producing a smooth sauce. Let the sauce cool completely.
  10. Make the cream cheese frosting: In a separate bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with honey and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  11. Marble the cranberry sauce into frosting: Gently fold the cooled cranberry sauce into the cream cheese frosting with a few swirling motions to create a marbled effect without fully blending the colors.
  12. Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese cranberry frosting evenly over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate leftover cake.

Notes

  • Ensure the chocolate mixture is cooled before adding it to the eggs to prevent curdling.
  • Be careful not to overbake the cake; it should remain moist inside.
  • Use fresh cranberries for the best texture, but frozen cranberries work well, too.
  • The marbled frosting creates a beautiful visual effect, so avoid fully mixing the cranberry sauce into the cream cheese frosting.
  • Store leftovers refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cake, cranberry sauce, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, easy chocolate cake, festive cake

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/easy-chocolate-cranberry-cake-recipe/