Description
A festive and moist Cranberry Christmas Cake bursting with fresh cranberries and citrus zest, perfect for holiday celebrations and cozy breakfasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 orange zested (about 2 teaspoons loose zest)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 13×9 baking dish by spraying it with baking spray or using a homemade cake release. Set aside.
- Beat eggs and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar with the eggs for 5 minutes until the mixture doubles in size and becomes light and fluffy.
- Add butter and flavorings: Mix in the softened unsalted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest. Continue beating for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to combine well.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt to the wet ingredients, gently mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in cranberries: Carefully fold in the fresh cranberries evenly throughout the batter to distribute them without breaking.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing and serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Prepare the baking pan by spraying with a baking spray or use a homemade cake release to prevent sticking.
- Zest an orange using a handheld grater or zesting tool, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath the peel for the best flavor.
- Store any leftover cranberry cake covered at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months to maintain freshness.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with hot chocolate or eggnog for festive holiday breakfasts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
