Cranberry Cake (Printable)
Moist, tender cake loaded with tart cranberries and a buttery crumb. Ideal for holiday gatherings.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Components
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
10 - 1/4 cup milk
11 - 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
→ Optional Topping
12 - 2 tablespoons turbinado or granulated sugar
13 - Zest of 1 orange
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract.
05 - Stir in the sour cream until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
06 - Add the flour mixture in three portions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
07 - Gently fold the cranberries into the batter using a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top surface. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and orange zest if desired.
09 - Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
10 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The tart cranberries cut through the sweet buttery cake creating the most perfect balance
- Its impossible to mess up and looks beautiful with barely any effort
02 -
- Frozen cranberries will sink to the bottom unless you toss them in a tablespoon of flour first
- The cake is done when the top springs back when lightly pressed, do not overbake or it will dry out
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and create a more uniform texture
- Let your butter soften on the counter for at least an hour, do not try to microwave it