Christmas Cranberry Cake
This festive cake is inspired by the flavors of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, packed with tart cranberries and topped with a creamy frosting and white chocolate drizzle. Perfect for the holiday season!
Yield: Serves 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into chunks
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp whole milk
2 cups flour, plus more to coat the cranberries
2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries one 12 oz bag
For the Frosting:
1 stick 1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted add more for desired consistency
1 tsp vanilla extract
Garnish:
Handful of dried cranberries
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
Make the Cake:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F 175C. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Coat the Cranberries: In a small bowl, toss the fresh cranberries with a handful of flour to coat them completely. Set aside.
Beat the Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for 5-7 minutes until the mixture has increased in volume and falls in thick ribbons when lifted from the beaters.
Add Butter and Vanilla: Add the softened butter and vanilla extract, and beat for about 2 minutes until well incorporated. Then, beat in the milk and salt.
Stir in Flour and Fold in Cranberries: Gradually stir in 2 cups of flour. Fold in the coated cranberries gently.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean cranberry juices may stick to the tester.
Cool: Let the cake cool on a wire rack. Run a knife around the edge and release it from the springform pan.
Prepare the Frosting:
Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, adding about 1 cup at a time until the frosting reaches your desired sweetness and spreadable consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assemble and Garnish:
Frost the Cake: Once the cake has completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
Chill: Refrigerate the frosted cake for about 30 minutes until the frosting is set.
Melt White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Garnish: Sprinkle the top of the cake with dried cranberries. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top using a spoon or a makeshift piping bag a zip-top bag with a snipped corner.
Serve: Allow the cake to set before serving. Enjoy!
This Christmas Cranberry Cake is a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for any holiday gathering. The tart cranberries paired with the creamy frosting and white chocolate drizzle will have everyone coming back for seconds! See