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Cranberry Christmas Cake

Name: Cranberry Christmas Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 20 servings.
Ingredients: 3 large eggs, room temperature; 2 cups sugar; 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed; 2/3 cup chopped pecans; Optional: Whipped cream and cranberries

18 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min.

Makes

20 servings

The ruby cranberries in this recipe stay bright and beautiful, and their tartness is irresistible. I've made this cranberry Christmas cake many times to share. —Marilyn Paradis, Woodburn, Oregon

Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
2/3 cup chopped pecans
Optional: Whipped cream and cranberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. Add butter and extract; beat 2 minutes. Gradually stir in flour just until combined. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Spread in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. If desired, serve each piece with whipped cream and a cranberry.

Cranberry Christmas Cake Tips

Should frozen cranberries be measured before or after they are thawed?

If you use frozen cranberries for this recipe, you should measure them frozen. Frozen cranberries are the same shape and size as fresh cranberries, but once they’re thawed the cranberries will shrink and take up less space—so you’ll want to avoid adding too many cranberries to the recipe by measuring them after they’re thawed. Check out our tips for how to weigh baking ingredients like a baking pro.

Should cranberry Christmas cake be served warm or at room temperature?

This cake can be served either way! Try serving it warm with our best ever vanilla ice cream recipe, or room temperature with bourbon whipped cream.

What is a traditional sauce served with cranberry Christmas cake?

Want a little something extra to serve alongside cranberry Christmas cake? Try sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce, orange curd, or really punch up that cranberry flavor by serving with cranberry orange sauce.

—Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 227 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.