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Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 52 reviews

This Cranberry Christmas Cake is a festive, moist treat perfect for holiday gatherings. It combines fresh cranberries with a light and tender cake base, leavened by whipped eggs, creating a delightful balance of tart and sweet flavors. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, this cake is ideal for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour as a substitute)
  • 2 cups sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Whip Eggs and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the eggs together with the sugar for about 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened, light in color, and has almost doubled in size. The mixture should form a ribbon when the beaters are lifted from the bowl. This step is critical as the eggs act as the leavening agent.
  3. Add Butter and Vanilla: Mix in the softened butter and vanilla extract, blending for an additional two minutes until well combined and smooth.
  4. Incorporate Flour and Cranberries: Gently stir the flour into the mixture just until combined; avoid overmixing. Then fold in the fresh cranberries evenly throughout the batter.
  5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the cake is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The recommended baking time is about 43 minutes for optimal texture.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before cutting. Cut into small slices approximately 1 by 2 inches to serve, making it easy to eat at parties and gatherings. Enjoy your festive cranberry cake!

Notes

  • To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
  • Fresh cranberries are preferred for their tartness and texture; however, frozen cranberries can be used if fresh are unavailable—do not thaw before adding to the batter.
  • Make sure not to skip the step of beating eggs and sugar thoroughly as it acts as the primary leavening agent in this recipe, resulting in a light and airy cake.
  • Serve the cake as a dessert or snack during holiday celebrations or afternoon tea.

Keywords: cranberry cake, Christmas cake, holiday dessert, festive cake, easy baking recipe, fruit cake, baking with cranberries

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/cranberry-christmas-cake-recipe/