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Cranberry Butter Cake Recipe

Cranberry Butter Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 50-58 minutes
  • Yield: 8 to 10 1x

Description

Cranberry cake drizzled with warm butter sauce delivers pure comfort straight to your table. Seasonal flavors dance together, creating a delightful treat perfect for sharing with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar

Supporting Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 dash salt

Warm Butter Sauce:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Heat your oven to 350ºF and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to ensure smooth cake release.
  2. Cream 3 tablespoons softened butter with 1 cup sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy, then incorporate 1 egg thoroughly.
  3. Whisk 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and a dash of salt in a separate bowl to distribute ingredients evenly.
  4. Gradually blend dry ingredients and 1 cup milk into the butter mixture, alternating between the two. Ensure each addition is fully integrated before adding the next.
  5. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons orange zest into the batter and gently fold 2 cups chopped cranberries throughout, distributing them evenly.
  6. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading it smoothly across the surface.
  7. Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges completely clean.
  8. While cake bakes, prepare the sauce by combining 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup heavy cream in a saucepan.
  9. Bring the sauce ingredients to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
  10. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, glossy consistency.
  11. Remove sauce from heat and stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for added depth.
  12. Slice the warm cake and drench each piece with the luxurious butter sauce just before serving.

Notes

  • Swap cranberries for seasonal fruits like blueberries or chopped peaches to match your current produce selection.
  • Ensure cranberries are patted dry before folding into batter to prevent excess moisture from affecting cake texture.
  • Warm the sauce gently when reheating to maintain smooth consistency and prevent burning or separation.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, replace regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend and add an extra egg for structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-43 minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8 to 10
  • Calories: 496
  • Sugar: 47 g
  • Sodium: 115 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 1.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg