Description

This Cranberry Christmas Cake is a delightful holiday treat featuring tart fresh cranberries nestled in a moist, buttery cake. Perfect for festive gatherings, the cake is lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, combining sweet and tangy flavors in every bite.

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 reaches the correct temperature before baking the cake.
Prepare Pan: Spray 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, forming peaks when you lift the beaters out.
Add Butter and Extracts: Add the softened butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the egg and sugar mixture. Continue mixing for two minutes to combine thoroughly.
Incorporate Flour: Slowly add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Add Cranberries: Gently stir in the fresh cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Garnish: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Once cooled, garnish the top with a dusting of powdered sugar to add a festive finish.

Notes

Make sure the eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor; frozen can be substituted but thaw and drain well.
Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the cake tender.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
Powdered sugar garnish adds a festive look but can be omitted if preferred.
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

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

Keywords: cranberry cake, Christmas dessert, holiday cake, festive cake, cranberry Christmas cake, moist cake, almond extract cake