Cranberry Pound Cake Perfection: Your Go-To Holiday Dessert Recipe (2024)

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Savor the sweet-tart delight of homemade cranberry pound cake, ideal for any occasion. Discover how to create this delectable treat, perfect for holiday feasts or the next time you want a classic dessert.

Cranberry pound cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of the holiday season and beyond.

The tartness of fresh cranberries balances the moist, buttery crumb of this delicious pound cake.

Cranberry is one of the classic holiday flavors, often featured in dishes like cranberry sauce, relish, pies, and desserts like festive pound cakes. Whether in sweet or savory preparations, cranberry flavors offer a festive and iconic touch to recipes.

This dessert begins with a blend of butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, creating a tender and buttery crumb. The star of the show is the vibrant cranberries, which add a burst of color and a sweet-tart flavor as they release their juices during baking.

Cranberry Pound Cake is a versatile dessert suitable for various occasions throughout the year.

It shines as a festive addition to holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas time. But it’s not just a Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake! This delicious cake is a lovely choice for brunches, dinner parties, potlucks, and picnics, adding a sweet-tart delight to any occasion.

How to Make Cranberry Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 12 oz cranberries
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Cream for 2-3 minutes or until noticeably lighter in color.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.

Mix until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix.

Wash and dry cranberries.

To prevent cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking, lightly coat them with a small amount of flour in a small bowl before folding them into the batter.

Gently fold the floured cranberries into the batter.

Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.

Give the pan a tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean with a few moist crumbs attached. The baking time may vary depending on your oven.

Pound cakes are best when they are moist and tender. Avoid overbaking, which can result in a dry cake.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Lightly dust with powdered sugar or a glaze.

Relevant Recipes

  • Cherry Sheet Cake
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Recipes for Bundt Cakes
  • Fall Cake Flavors

How to Customize Your Cranberry Pound Cake:

  • Add orange or lemon zest to the batter for a refreshing citrus twist.
  • Incorporate chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
  • Create a cream cheese swirl between cake layers for a creamy contrast
  • Combine fresh cranberries and orange zest for a dual burst of cranberry and citrus flavors to make a cranberry orange pound cake recipe
  • Fold in white chocolate chips to balance the tartness of cranberries with creamy sweetness.
  • Include warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a spiced variation.
  • Opt for mini loaves for individual servings.
  • Decorate with sugared cranberries for an elegant touch.

Cranberry Bundt Cake FAQs

Why is my pound cake not moist?

If your pound cake is not moist, it could be due to overbaking, incorrect measurements, overmixing, or using expired ingredients. Ensure precise measurements, avoid overmixing, and use moistness-enhancing ingredients like sour cream or yogurt. Additionally, proper storage, adequate greasing of the pan, and allowing the cake to cool thoroughly are essential for baking a moist pound cake,

Can I use frozen cranberries in the recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in your Cranberry Pound Cake recipe. However, it’s essential to use them directly from the freezer without thawing to prevent excess moisture in the batter. However, whenever possible, use fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture.

Can I make a glaze for the Cranberry Pound Cake?

Yes, you can make a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or citrus juice (like orange or lemon juice). Drizzle it over the cooled cake for added sweetness and flavor.

How should I store Cranberry Pound Cake?

Store your Cranberry Pound Cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Keep it at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.

Can I freeze Cranberry Pound Cake?

Yes, you can freeze Cranberry Pound Cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or an airtight container. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

Cranberry Pound Cake Perfection: Your Go-To Holiday Dessert Recipe (4)

Yield: 16

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Try this perfect cranberry pound cake recipe. It's tart and sweet, with just the right consistency. It's easy to make, even for beginners! This dessert is the perfect addition to the holiday season.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 12 oz cranberries
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and soften butter.
  2. Mix together sugar and eggs.
  3. Add vanilla and butter.
  4. Slowly beat in flour.
  5. Fold in cranberries.
  6. Pour into a prepared bundt pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let your cranberry cake cook and then lightly dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tips to Removing Your Cranberry Pound Cake from the Bundt Pan

One of the most stressful moments in cake making is removing bundt cakes from the pan.

Cover the inside of the bakeware with a generous layer of cake release or cooking spray prior to baking. Let it cool for about 15 minutes on a cooling rack after taking it out of the oven. Once you've done this, carefully turn over bottom side up so that gravity pulls down to remove easily without breaking apart or cracking.

Alternatives to this Delicious Cake

This delicious pound cake makes a great gift at Christmas time. Bake individual loaves in a 5-inch loaf pan.

Make your recipe into an orange cranberry pound cake by mixing in 2 tsp of orange zest or orange juice. The sweetness of orange pairs wonderfully with the cranberry flavors.

Drizzle this great recipe with a cream cheese frosting.

Can you freeze Cranberry Pound Cake?

Yes. Let your pound cake cool to room temperature, then wrap in aluminum foil and put your cake into a freezer safe ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Do I need to thaw frozen cranberries?

No need to thaw your frozen cranberries.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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Cranberry Pound Cake Perfection: Your Go-To Holiday Dessert Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many cups of cranberries are in a 12 oz bag? ›

Cooking with Cranberries. The commonly sold 12-ounce bag contains about 3 cups of cranberries.

Why a cold oven is the secret to a better pound cake? ›

The difference is mainly in the cooking method. True to its name, the recipe uses the cold oven approach, aka forgoing the preheat. Cooking pound cake at a lower temperature for a longer period of time results in a fluffier cake with a crunchy golden crust. Simply put, it's the ideal baking method for pound cake.

What do you eat cranberry sauce with on Thanksgiving? ›

Cranberry sauce can be used with a variety of meats, including turkey, pork, chicken, and ham. Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.

Why do we have cranberry with turkey? ›

Turkey is often dry, salty, and bland, which makes it the perfect partner for something sweet and moist. Cranberries are not overly sweet. Their tartness pairs well with the more bland-tasting turkey. Our palates would be bored by singular tastes.

How many cups is 16 ounces of cranberries? ›

16 oz fresh cranberries, or about 2 cups.

How many people does a 12 oz bag of cranberries serve? ›

What is the typical serving size for cranberries? If you check the back of a bag of fresh cranberries, you'll see that a serving is 1/2 cup and a 12-ounce bag serves seven. The thing is, it's uncommon to eat fresh cranberries straight up, and cranberries break down and burst when you cook them.

Is it better to bake pound cake at 325 or 350? ›

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Not 350°F. Generously grease a 10-12 cup Bundt pan with butter or nonstick spray. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Why put water in the oven when baking pound cake? ›

Prepare cake pan by coating with butter and sugar. Set aside a different pan filled with a few inches of water (this creates moisture in the oven and prevents the cake from drying out while baking).

What's a substitute for cranberry sauce? ›

14 Homemade Condiments to Serve With Turkey—That Aren't Cranberry Sauce
  • 01 of 14. Gingered Golden Fruit Chutney. ...
  • 02 of 14. Tangerine and Lemon Marmalade. ...
  • 03 of 14. Quince Butter. ...
  • 04 of 14. Plum Ginger Relish. ...
  • 05 of 14. Quince Jelly With Star Anise. ...
  • 06 of 14. Warm Plum Sauce. ...
  • 07 of 14. Quick Pear Chutney. ...
  • 08 of 14. Bacon Jam.
Oct 24, 2023

What state produces the most cranberries in the US? ›

The top-producing State, Wisconsin, typically harvests around 60 percent of the annual U.S. cranberry crop.

What are the two types of cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid. The difference between the fluid sauce and the jelly versions comes down to pectin.

Why is cranberry a Christmas thing? ›

In early America, when trees were decorated, families would use homemade ornaments because they were inexpensive. Following the German tradition of fruit, they would use cranberries with popcorn since cranberries were harvested in November and popcorn was in season.

Why do we eat cranberry sauce at Christmas? ›

Turkey is also eaten at Thanksgiving, as it is in the UK at Christmas, and it's likely this connection is the inspiration for cranberry sauce making the move to festive dinners this side of the Atlantic.

What do cranberries symbolize at Thanksgiving? ›

Over the years, it has become a culinary expression of love and effort. The process of simmering cranberries with sugar and other ingredients fills the kitchen with a delightful aroma, signaling the start of the holiday season. Beyond their culinary role, cranberries have become a symbol of gratitude and appreciation.

How many cups are in 12 oz bag? ›

How many cups of coffee can you get from a 12-ounce bag? On average, a 12oz bag of coffee should produce around 17-24 cups of coffee.

How many cups of cranberries are in a bag of ocean spray cranberries? ›

There are three cups (750 mL) of cranberries in a 340 g bag of Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberries. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before using. Your recipe should specify whether to use chopped cranberries or not.

How many ounces is 1 cup of cranberries? ›

FRESH CRANBERRIES, UPC: 021130045945 weigh(s) 116 grams per metric cup or 3.9 ounces per US cup, and contain(s) 55 calories per 100 grams (≈3.53 ounces) [ weight to volume | volume to weight | price | density ]

How many cups in a bag of dried cranberries? ›

For example, 1 pound of dried cranberries typically equates to approximately 3 to 3.5 cups, which can be utilized in cranberry-centric recipes like chutneys or compotes.

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