Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of festive comfort and culinary creativity in every single bite. This Cranberry Sauce Nut Cake is not just another holiday recipe—it's a game-changing masterpiece that transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular celebration of flavor and texture. With its perfect balance of tart cranberries, rich nuts, and tender cake, this recipe will elevate your baking skills and impress even the most discerning dessert lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries and 1 cup of sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and remaining 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) and the slightly cooled cranberry mixture into the batter, ensuring an even distribution.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the Cranberry Sauce Nut Cake plain, or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Tips
- Use fresh cranberries for the most vibrant flavor and best texture. Frozen cranberries can work in a pinch, but fresh is always best.
- When creaming butter and sugar, ensure they're at room temperature for maximum volume and smoothness.
- Don't overmix the batter after adding flour—this can lead to a tough, dense cake. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
- For extra moisture, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.
- Check the cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling and maintain its beautiful structure.
- For a more decadent presentation, consider adding a light glaze or cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 85mg
