Cranberry Christmas Cake
When the holiday season rolls in and kitchens fill with the warm aromas of baking, there’s one dessert that perfectly captures the festive spirit: Cranberry Christmas Cake. Sweet, tart, buttery, and beautifully bright, this cake delivers everything you want from a winter treat. The cheerful red cranberries burst as they bake, creating pockets of tartness that balance the sweetness of the tender cake. Whether you serve it as a Christmas brunch treat, a cozy afternoon snack, or a holiday dinner dessert, this cake always steals the show.
This isn’t a complicated cake. In fact, it’s wonderfully simple. No frosting required, no layers, no intricate decorating — just the pure magic of holiday flavors in every bite. The buttery crumb, the juicy cranberries, and the subtle hint of vanilla or orange create a comforting, nostalgic taste that fits perfectly into the season. If you’ve been searching for an easy holiday dessert that feels homemade, heartfelt, and festive, this is the one.
In this full guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know: the ingredients, how to get the perfect texture, step-by-step instructions, variations, serving ideas, storage tips, and more. With more than 1500 words of detail, you’ll not only make a cranberry Christmas cake — you’ll master it.
Why This Cranberry Christmas Cake Works
✔ Bright, bold flavors — fresh cranberries pop against a soft, buttery cake
✔ Perfect holiday texture — moist, tender crumb with just enough tartness
✔ No frosting needed — the cake is naturally beautiful and flavorful
✔ Incredibly simple — one bowl for the wet ingredients, one for the dry
✔ Festive color — cranberries bring vibrant red bursts throughout every slice
✔ Make-ahead friendly — stays moist for days and freezes beautifully
Many holiday cakes rely on heavy creams, frostings, or dense textures. But this cake is refreshingly simple — a bright contrast to richer holiday desserts like pies, cheesecakes, and layered cakes. It brings balance to the season without sacrificing flavor or charm.
Ingredients Breakdown: What Makes This Cake Special
Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are essential. Their tartness cuts the sweetness and gives the cake its signature flavor. Frozen cranberries work too — no need to thaw.
Butter
A full amount of butter ensures the cake stays rich and moist. Creaming it together with sugar creates that fluffy, classic cake texture.
Sugar
This is a sweeter cake, designed to balance the cranberries’ natural tartness. The final flavor is perfectly balanced.
Eggs
Provide structure and help the cake rise. Room-temperature eggs mix best and give a smoother batter.
Flour
All-purpose flour creates a tender crumb. Mixing gently prevents overdeveloped gluten.
Vanilla
Adds warm, nostalgic flavor. You can swap for almond extract for a deeper holiday aroma.
Orange zest (optional but recommended)
Brightens the cake and complements the cranberries beautifully. Adds a citrus sparkle that tastes like Christmas.
Baking powder
Ensures the cake rises evenly.
Salt
Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
How to Make Cranberry Christmas Cake
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven and grease a 9×9 or 8×8 baking dish. You can also use a loaf pan for a more rustic look. Line with parchment for easy removal.
Step 2: Cream butter & sugar
Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy and pale. This step is key — incorporating air ensures a light texture.
Step 3: Add eggs one at a time
Mix well after each addition. The batter should be smooth and silky.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt separately. Add gradually to the wet mixture. Avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Fold in cranberries
Toss cranberries with a tablespoon of flour first. This prevents sinking. Fold gently to avoid crushing them.
Step 6: Spread & bake
Spread batter evenly in the baking pan. Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool
Let the cake cool fully before slicing — the crumb sets as it cools.
Step 8: Dust with powdered sugar
This adds a snowy holiday finish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and optional orange zest.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Toss cranberries with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold them into the batter gently.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing.
Cranberry Christmas Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Stir in vanilla and optional orange zest.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Toss cranberries with flour and fold gently into the batter.
- Spread batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and slice.
Notes
Tips for the Best Cranberry Christmas Cake
1. Don’t skip creaming the butter
It’s essential for a soft, tender crumb.
2. Flour the cranberries
This keeps them evenly distributed instead of sinking.
3. Don’t overmix
Mixing too much creates dense cake.
4. Use fresh cranberries when possible
They hold texture better than frozen.
5. Add orange zest for a holiday twist
It’s optional but highly recommended.
6. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving
Gives a snowy winter look.
Variations
Cranberry Orange Cake
Add 2–3 tbsp fresh orange juice + extra zest.
Almond Cranberry Cake
Use almond extract instead of vanilla.
Cranberry Walnut Cake
Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts.
Glaze Finish
Top with a simple orange glaze for extra brightness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cake with:
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee
- Holiday brunch spreads
- Vanilla ice cream
- Warmed cranberry sauce
- Whipped cream
It also makes a gorgeous Christmas morning treat.
Storing & Freezing
Storing:
Room temp 2 days, fridge 4–5 days.
Freezing:
Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.
