Ina Garten Easy Cranberry And Apple Cake Recipe

This Ina Garten Easy Cranberry And Apple Cake Recipe is a sweet and tart dessert, which includes fresh cranberries and diced apples. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in just 1 hour.

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Ina Garten Easy Cranberry And Apple Cake Ingredients

For the fruit base:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
• ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (optional)

For the cake batter:

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Easy Cranberry And Apple Cake

1. Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch glass or ceramic dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Make the fruit layer: In a bowl, mix cranberries, diced apple, brown sugar, and orange zest (if using). Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add wet ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream until smooth.
5. Add dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
6. Top the fruit: Spoon and spread the batter evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
7. Bake the cake: Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and serve: Let the cake cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, use them straight from the freezer without thawing.
• What apples work best? Tart apples like Granny Smith hold up well during baking.
• Do I need to use orange zest? It’s optional, but it adds a fresh, citrusy note.
• How to serve it: Try with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or Greek yogurt.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, bake it in a 9×13 dish and increase bake time slightly.

What To Serve With Cranberry And Apple Cake

This cozy cake pairs well with both warm and cool accompaniments:

• Vanilla bean ice cream
• Fresh whipped cream
• Caramel sauce drizzle
• A cup of black tea or coffee
• Sparkling apple cider

How To Store Cranberry And Apple Cake

Room Temperature: Store covered at room temp for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat slices before serving.
Freeze: Wrap cooled slices and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in the oven or microwave.

Cranberry And Apple Cake Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 290 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sugar: 27g
• Fiber: 2g
• Calcium: 30mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, bake it a day ahead and reheat just before serving.

Can I use a different fruit?
Yes, try pears or blueberries, but adjust sugar to taste.

Why is my cake batter thick?
It’s supposed to be—just spread it evenly over the fruit.

Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute.

What type of dish should I bake it in?
Use a glass or ceramic 9-inch pie dish or cake pan.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Peach Ice Cream Recipe
• Ina Garten Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
• Ina Garten Shortbread Cookies With Jam Recipe