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Cranberry Christmas Cake

A festive, buttery holiday cake filled with tart cranberries and a moist, tender crumb. Perfect for Christmas brunch or dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 9 slices
Course: Dessert, Holiday Baking
Cuisine: American, Christmas
Calories: 260
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 orange optional
Cranberries
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 tbsp flour for coating cranberries

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer
  • Baking pan
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
  4. Stir in vanilla and optional orange zest.
  5. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  6. Add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
  7. Toss cranberries with flour and fold gently into the batter.
  8. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
  9. Bake 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  10. Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and slice.

Notes

Frozen cranberries may be used; do not thaw. Add orange zest for extra holiday brightness.