Almond Cranberry Cake
This Almond Cranberry Cake is the perfect Christmas Breakfast or even dessert cake. A soft moist cake made with cranberries and almonds, then drizzled with an easy vanilla or maple glaze.
One bowl desserts with no mixer necessary are some of the best. I love to make this easy Lemon Bread or even this Streusel Topped Blueberry Bread, when I am looking to make something quick and delicious.
This month, for the monthly get together with my Blogger friends, we decided to share Cranberry Recipes. The perfect Christmas recipe ingredient.
This recipe was given to me by my cousin, who is also an amazing baker. So of course when I decided to make it I naturally had to bring back the cranberries with me from home.
And I decided to make it into a Bundt cake instead of a traditional Cranberry Loaf.
How to make Cranberry Cake
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Make a well in the middle and add the eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, cranberries and almonds.
- Stir just until combined.
- Spoon into the prepared bundt pan.
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before serving.
- The Cake can be served plain, dusted with powdered sugar or even drizzled with a simple vanilla or maple glaze.
What does mix just until combined mean?
Mix just until combined means to stir until there may be some small lumps but the batter is not completely smooth. For this I recommend stirring 15 or 16 times, just to make sure you don’t over do it. Over mixing causes the baked goods to be dense and not rise very much.
Why use dried Cranberries?
Since fresh cranberries are very high in vitamin C, this makes them very tart. But about half the acid which makes the fresh cranberries tart have been destroyed by the drying process in dried cranberries.
Dried cranberries are often sweetened as well. Which makes them perfect for cakes and sweet breads. Frozen dried cranberries work very well too and there is no need to thaw them. You could also use dried cherries if you prefer.
Can the cake be made into a loaf or cake pan?
Yes instead of using a bundt pan a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or a 9 inch cake pan would be a perfect choice for this Cranberry Cake recipe.
More Delicious Holiday Cakes you may enjoy!
I hope if you are looking for an easy delicious Cake for the Holidays, that you give this Almond Cranberry Cake a try. Enjoy!
Almond Cranberry Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1½ cups sour milk*
- ½ cup butter melted** (slightly cooled)
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup dried cranberries (or you could use dried cherries if you prefer)
- ½ cup finely chopped almonds
*To the 1½ cups of milk, remove 1 tablespoon and substitute with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar let sit for 10-15 minutes before using.
**If using unsalted butter then add ½ teaspoon of salt.
VANILLA OR MAPLE GLAZE
- 1 cup powdered / icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cream or milk
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Grease and flour a 9½ – 10 inch (24cm) bundt pan or 9 inch cake pan or 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the middle and add the beaten eggs, sour milk, melted butter, vanilla, cranberries and almonds. Stir just to combine, 15-16 stirs only.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cake or loaf pan and bake for approximately 50-60 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
- Let cool in pan then remove to a clean plate. Drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered / icing sugar. Enjoy!
VANILLA OR MAPLE GLAZE
- In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, vanilla and maple syrup if it is too thick add ½ tablespoon of half and half, mix until smooth. If you prefer a vanilla glaze then substitute the maple syrup with cream or milk.
Notes
How to store the cake
The cooled cake should be stored wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a cool dry place for up to three days, or in the fridge for up to 6 days. The cake can also be frozen, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag or container. It will keep for 2 months in the freezer when stored correctly.Nutrition
Hello, are the almonds in the batter, raw, or toasted? Thanks
Hi Sophia, I buy them here in a little bag already chopped and they are raw but if you prefer you can toast them first. Hope you like it.
How do you keep the cranberries from going to the bottom of the cake ? I made a cake & the cranberries went to the bottom ?
Hi Vera, toss them with a teaspoon or so of flour and that should keep them from sinking.
Hi Rosemary this recipe sounds easy & delicious. Could I substitute dry cherries to the cranberries?
Thank you for all the delicious recipes throughout the year.
Buon Natale,
Con affetto,
Maria
Hi Maria, thanks so much, I’m sure that dried cherries would work. Let me know how it goes.
I love easy, quick cakes like this! And almond and cranberry? Two of my very favorite flavors!
Hi Nikki, thanks so much.