As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite like the scent of freshly baked cake wafting through your home, warm and inviting. This Cranberry Christmas Cake embodies the spirit of the season with its soft, tender crumb and bursts of tart cranberry flavor. Topped with a creamy white chocolate frosting and sprinkled with dried cranberries, it becomes a festive centerpiece that is as beautiful as it is comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You will adore this Cranberry Christmas Cake for its delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors. The addition of warm cinnamon and bright orange zest brings a seasonal cheer that makes every bite special. Whether enjoyed at holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons by the fire, this cake is sure to create cherished memories.

Ingredients Needed For Cranberry Christmas Cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your cake, providing structure and tenderness. Make sure to sift it for an airy texture!
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon: This warm spice adds a cozy aroma and rich flavor that complements the cranberries beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and achieve that perfect fluffy texture.
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda: Another key leavening agent that works in harmony with the acidic ingredients to create a light, airy cake.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch enhances the overall flavors and helps balance the sweetness.
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): This makes the cake rich and moist. Remember to take it out of the fridge ahead of time to ensure it’s soft for creaming!
• 1 2/3 cups brown sugar: Provides deep, caramelized sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the cranberries.
• 1 tablespoon orange zest: Bright and fresh, this adds a lovely citrus note that brightens the overall flavor profile.
• 3 large eggs: Essential for binding ingredients and adding moisture to the cake.
• 1/2 cup sour cream: Contributes to the cake’s moistness and adds a touch of tang that complements the sweetness.
• 1/2 cup milk: Ensures the batter has the right consistency—adjust based on your preference for thickness.
• 2 cups cranberries (fresh): The star of the show! Use fresh cranberries for a burst of tartness; frozen ones may work but could alter the texture slightly.
• 8 oz cream cheese (brick style, full fat): This creates a rich, velvety frosting that’s a perfect pairing with the cake.
• 6 oz white chocolate (melted & cooled): Adds sweetness and a creamy texture to the frosting. Make sure it’s fully cooled before mixing!
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Essential for sweetening the frosting to the desired taste—adjust according to your preference.
• 1-3 tablespoons cream: Use this to reach your perfect frosting consistency—start with a small amount and add as needed.
• 2 oz white chocolate (melted): A delightful drizzle over the frosted cake for an extra touch of sweetness.
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries: These provide a pop of color and extra chewiness as a festive topping.

How to Make Cranberry Christmas Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan or a 9×13-inch cake pan; this step ensures easy removal.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mix aside; it’s your dry blend.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this adds airiness to your cake.
4. Beat in the orange zest, followed by the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure a uniform texture.
5. Mix in the sour cream and milk until well combined—this adds moisture and richness.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding in the cranberries gently to avoid breaking them; you want those beautiful, whole berries in the cake!
7. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool in the pan for around 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
9. For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the melted white chocolate. Gradually add the powdered sugar, adjusting with cream until the desired consistency is reached.
10. Frost the cooled cake generously with the cream cheese mixture, then drizzle with melted white chocolate. Top with dried cranberries for a festive touch that adds a pop of color.
11. Slice the cake into generous portions and serve it on plates with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few extra cranberries. Pair it with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a delightful experience.

How to Serve Cranberry Christmas Cake

Serve this beautiful Cranberry Christmas Cake at your holiday gatherings, sliced into generous pieces. It’s perfect alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea, making it a special treat for friends and family.

How to Store Cranberry Christmas Cake

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze the unfrosted cake for up to three months; just thaw it in the fridge overnight before frosting and serving.

Tips to Make Cranberry Christmas Cake

• Use fresh cranberries for optimal flavor; dried ones will create a different texture.
• Don’t overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients; this keeps your cake light and fluffy.
• Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results, especially the butter and eggs.
• If you like more richness, feel free to add extra orange zest or a splash of orange juice to the batter for a deeper citrus flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

• Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added texture.
• For a dairy-free version, replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy yogurt in place of the sour cream.
• Swap the white chocolate with dark chocolate if you prefer a bolder flavor contrast with the sweetness of the cake.
• Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch and extra flavor variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. However, they may release more moisture during baking and could affect the cake’s texture slightly. Make sure to gently fold them into the batter while still frozen to prevent them from breaking down too much.

How can I tell when my cake is done?

To check if your cake is ready, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the cake is done. If it has wet batter, continue baking and check every few minutes.

How do I make the frosting thicker or thinner?

To thicken the frosting, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream (1 teaspoon at a time) until you achieve a smoother texture.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it wrapped well in plastic wrap. Frost it just before serving to keep the frosting fresh.

What can I serve with the Cranberry Christmas Cake?

This cake pairs wonderfully with warm beverages like coffee, tea, or even spiced cider. You can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience!

Cranberry Christmas Cake

This Cranberry Christmas Cake is a festive dessert that features a soft crumb, tart cranberries, and creamy white chocolate frosting, perfect for the holiday season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Sift for an airy texture.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon Adds warmth and richness.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder Leavening agent.
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda Works with acidic ingredients.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances overall flavors.
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened) Ensure Butter is softened for creaming.
• 1 2/3 cups brown sugar Provides caramelized sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon orange zest Adds a lovely citrus note.
• 3 large eggs Essential for binding.
• 1/2 cup sour cream Contributes moisture.
• 1/2 cup milk Adjust for batter consistency.
• 2 cups cranberries (fresh) Use fresh for tartness.

For the Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese (brick style, full fat) Creates a rich frosting.
• 6 oz white chocolate (melted & cooled) Add sweetness to frosting.
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar Essential for sweetening frosting.
• 1-3 tablespoons cream To adjust frosting consistency.
• 2 oz white chocolate (melted) For drizzling.
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries Festive topping.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan or a 9×13-inch cake pan.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Beat in the orange zest, followed by the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Mix in the sour cream and milk until well combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding in the cranberries gently.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Baking

• Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow cooling in the pan for around 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Frosting

• Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the melted white chocolate.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, adjusting with cream until the desired consistency is reached.
• Frost the cooled cake generously and drizzle with melted white chocolate.
• Top with dried cranberries.

Serving

• Slice the cake into generous portions and serve alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee.

Notes

Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keyword Christmas Cake, Cranberry Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, festive dessert, Holiday Baking