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Easy Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe - Perfect Holiday Dessert in 65 Minutes!

A festive and elegant Cranberry Christmas Cake bursting with tart cranberries and buttery sweetness — the perfect holiday dessert that’s simple to make, beautiful to serve, and sure to impress at every gathering.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 243
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
Smart Substitutions:
  • Replace half the sugar with brown sugar for deeper flavor
  • Substitute Greek yogurt for half the butter to reduce calories
  • Use gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version
  • Add orange zest for citrusy brightness

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer for 3–4 minutes until light and slightly thickened.
  3. Add butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and continue mixing for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
  4. Gradually fold in the flour until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Gently fold in fresh cranberries, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool completely before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs before serving.

Notes

Coat cranberries lightly in flour before folding into the batter to prevent sinking. For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest. Always cool completely before cutting for clean slices.