Best 6 Fresh Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipes

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Welcome to a delightful culinary journey as we delve into the world of Christmas cakes, a festive tradition that brings joy and warmth to homes during the holiday season. Our focus is on a unique and flavorful creation: the Fresh Cranberry Christmas Cake. This recipe stands out with its vibrant red cranberries, offering a tart and tangy twist to the classic Christmas cake. The combination of sweet and sour flavors, along with a moist and fluffy texture, makes this cake an absolute delight. Additionally, we'll explore variations of this recipe, including a Gluten-Free Fresh Cranberry Christmas Cake that caters to those with dietary restrictions, and a boozy Cranberry Christmas Cake that adds a touch of indulgence for those who enjoy a tipple. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a baking adventure that will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of Christmas cheer.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

FRESH CRANBERRY CAKE



Fresh Cranberry Cake image

A beautiful and easy cake to make! Great for the holiday season and even better in the summer with any fresh berry you have on hand!

Provided by Deborah Day

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Cranberry Dessert Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup white sugar
½ cup butter
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat 1 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons melted butter with a whisk until well mixed. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Stir flour mixture and milk into egg mixture until batter is well blended. Fold cranberries into batter until just mixed and pour into prepared baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
  • For sauce, heat 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-low heat; cook and stir cream sauce until sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Pour hot sauce over hot cake. Allow cake to cool in the baking dish for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.4 calories, Carbohydrate 53.5 g, Cholesterol 74.2 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 587.1 mg, Sugar 35.4 g

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE - (3.8/5)



Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe - (3.8/5) image

Provided by á-44273

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
12 ounces fresh cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so do not skip this step. This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl. Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. Stir in the flour until just combined. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout. Spread in a buttered 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool completely before cutting. Small pieces, about 1 x 2 inches, are easy to serve at a party.

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CAKE



Cranberry Christmas Cake image

Tart fresh cranberries and sweet buttery cake are perfectly combined in this popular Christmas dessert!

Provided by Mary Younkin

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour * (see note below for gluten-free alternative)
12 oz fresh cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should almost double in size. The eggs work as your leavening agent in this recipe, so do not skip this step. This mixture should form a ribbon when you lift the beaters out of the bowl.
  • Add the butter and vanilla; mix two more minutes. Stir in the flour until just combined. Add the cranberries and stir to mix throughout.
  • Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan. (This pan is my favorite!) Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. (I baked mine for 43 minutes.)
  • Let cool completely before cutting into small slices. I cut mine into fairly small pieces, about 1"x2", so that they could be easily eaten at a party. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 252 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 88 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CRANBERRY CAKE



Cranberry Cake image

"Always welcomed on holidays, this pudding-like dessert is my mother's recipe," says Medford, Oregon field editor Marion Lowery.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup milk
2 cups cranberries
2 tablespoons grated orange or lemon peel
CREAM SAUCE:
1-1/3 cups sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup butter

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, baking powder and nutmeg; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in cranberries and orange peel., Pour into a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Cut warm cake into squares; serve with cream sauce.

Nutrition Facts :

TART CRANBERRY CAKE



Tart Cranberry Cake image

You can't beat this recipe to showcase true fall flavor. The ruby cranberries stay bright and beautiful, and their tartness is irresistible. I've made this cake many times to share. -Marilyn Paradis, Woodburn, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
2/3 cup chopped pecans
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. Add butter and extract; beat 2 minutes. Gradually stir in flour just until combined. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Spread in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. , Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 79mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CAKE



Cranberry Christmas Cake image

It's the sweet-tart holiday dessert that'll find it's way onto your holiday sideboard again and again.

Provided by Pam Lolley

Categories     Cakes

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 cup (8 ounces) salted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
3 cups (about 12¾ ounces) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups whole buttermilk
1 ¼ cups coarsely chopped fresh or thawed frozen cranberries (from 10 ounces whole cranberries)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Baking spray with flour
1 cup (8 ounces) salted butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¼ teaspoon table salt
1 (32-ounce) package powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from 1 orange)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon whole milk, if needed
Rosemary sprigs
Orange slices
Fresh or sugared cranberries

Steps:

  • Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in center and lower third positions. Beat butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Beat in orange zest just until combined, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl until well combined. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating on low speed just until combined after each addition. Fold in cranberries and vanilla using a rubber spatula until just combined.
  • Coat 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with baking spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper, and lightly coat with baking spray. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake 2 pans on center rack and 1 pan on lower rack in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in centers of cake layers comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks, about 1 hour.
  • Prepare the Orange Buttercream: Beat butter, cream cheese, and salt with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with orange juice, beating on low speed until combined and smooth after each addition. Beat in vanilla. If desired, beat in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until Orange Buttercream reaches desired consistency.
  • Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter or cake stand; spread top with about 1 cup Orange Buttercream. Add second cake layer; spread top with about 1 cup Orange Buttercream. Top with third cake layer; frost top and sides with remaining Orange Buttercream. Decorate with desired garnishes.

Tips:

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor. Frozen cranberries can be used, but they will not have the same tartness and flavor as fresh cranberries.
  • Be sure to rinse the cranberries well before using them.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the cranberries by hand. Just be sure to chop them finely.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.
  • Bake the cake in a well-greased and floured bundt 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.
  • If you don't have time to make the frosting, you can use a store-bought frosting instead.
  • Decorate the cake with fresh cranberries, powdered sugar, or other holiday decorations.

Conclusion:

This fresh cranberry Christmas cake is a delicious and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. The cake is moist and flavorful, with a tart cranberry filling that is perfectly complemented by the sweet cream cheese frosting. It's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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