Best 4 Festive Cranberry Cake Recipes

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**Festive Cranberry Cake: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion**

Indulge in the delectable Festive Cranberry Cake, a culinary masterpiece that combines the tangy sweetness of fresh cranberries with the warmth of aromatic spices. This moist and flavorful cake is adorned with a luscious cranberry glaze, making it a centerpiece for any celebration. The recipe includes variations for a classic bundt cake, elegant loaf cake, and individual muffins, ensuring there's something for every occasion and taste preference. With its vibrant red color and irresistible aroma, the Festive Cranberry Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special gathering.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FESTIVE CRANBERRY CAKE



Festive Cranberry Cake image

Each fall here in Alaska, an abundant crop of wild cranberries is ripe for cooking. This cake, a favorite in my family, makes good use of the harvest. What's more, since you can prepare it the night before your Thanksgiving celebration, the recipe is a real time-saver at a hectic time of year. -Gladys Wilson, Anchorage, Alaska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped pecans
GLAZE:
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
Optional: Sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; beat well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in cranberries, dates and pecans. Spread in a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 60-70 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, for glaze, heat orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves. Invert cake onto a serving plate. With a toothpick, punch holes in cake. Spoon glaze over cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. If desired, top with sugared cranberries and rosemary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304 calories, Fat 15g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 215mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

FESTIVE CRANBERRY-TOPPED CHEESECAKE



Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake image

When my daughter was 4 months old, my husband and I hosted both our families for Christmas dinner. I served this cheesecake for dessert. It's quite festive and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. -Stacy Dutka, Bienfait, Saskatchewan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups crushed shortbread cookies
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
TOPPING:
3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 6-8 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the orange juice and zest, vanilla and cinnamon. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour filling over crust. , Return pan to baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Combine cornstarch and orange juice until smooth; stir into cranberry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in pecans. Spoon over cheesecake. Refrigerate until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537 calories, Fat 33g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 129mg cholesterol, Sodium 299mg sodium, Carbohydrate 55g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

FESTIVE CRANBERRY FRUIT SALAD



Festive Cranberry Fruit Salad image

This fruit salad is a tradition on my Christmas table. It goes together quickly, which is a plus on such a busy day. -Rousheen Arel Wolf, Delta Junction, Alaska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Breakfast     Brunch     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
5 medium apples, diced
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, undrained
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed
3/4 cup fresh strawberries, halved

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, water and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add cranberry mixture; stir gently. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 105 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 2mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

FESTIVE CRAB CAKES



Festive Crab Cakes image

Barbara Nowakowski of North Tonawanda, New York stirs up excitement at parties with these picture-perfect tarts filled with a pleasant combination of cream cheese, crabmeat and cranberry sauce.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 25m

Yield 15 appetizers.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 package (1.9 ounces) frozen miniature phyllo tart shells
1/3 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, crab and onions until blended. Place the tart shells on an ungreased baking sheet. , Fill each shell with 1 tablespoon crab mixture. Top each with 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 34mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh cranberries. Fresh cranberries have a brighter flavor and a better texture than frozen or dried cranberries.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cake in a well-greased and floured pan. This will help prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months.

Conclusion:

This festive cranberry cake is a delicious and easy-to-make holiday treat. It's perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other special occasion. The cake is moist and flavorful, with a bright cranberry flavor. The cream cheese frosting is rich and creamy, and it perfectly complements the cake. This cake is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

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