During this time of the year, you can find a lot more items that you would not normally be able to find in the supermarkets on our island, Virgin Gorda. Although most islanders do not celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, a lot of American tourists (or home owners) pay a visit to our small island this time.
As a result, supermarkets carry things like buttermilk, fresh cranberries, wild mushrooms, persimmon, etc., most of which are not available outside these special days.
As you can imagine, as a food blogger, being able to have access to food makes my life much easier.
So the other day when I was able to find fresh cranberries I got so excited as I have been meaning to try Ina Garten’s Cranberry Apple Cake for a while now. I immediately picked a few pounds and came back home to make this easy apple cake recipe.
As in all Barefoot Contessa recipes, this one didn’t disappoint as well. It was just perfect on my first try.
Coincidently, right after it came out of the oven, I got a phone call from a friend who invited me over for a cup of coffee. Since I planned on making another one to photograph, I decided to take this one with me and surprise her with an unexpected treat.
Oh man, was it a nice surprise or what?
I swear, if you want to make a friend happy make this apple cranberry cake and take it with you. They will love you for it.
How To Make Cranberry Apple Cake:
The process of making this easy apple cake recipe has 3 folds.
First, you prep the apple and cranberry mix. To do so, you peel and slice the apples. Then you cut into small (1/2 to 1/4 inch cubes – doesn’t have to be perfect) and mix them with fresh cranberries, cranberries, orange zest and juice along with some cinnamon.
I think what makes this recipe so special is the addition of the orange zest and juice as they add a nice and unexpected kick to the end product.
Second, you make the batter. To do so, you mix the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream together and then add in the flour.
Lastly, you spread the fruit mixture into a pie plate and pour the batter evenly over the apples and cranberries. After 55-60 minutes in a 325 degree oven, you cranberry apple cake is ready.
All in all, it takes 15-20 minutes to put it all together and less than an hour to bake.
Though in my opinion, the best part is that by the time it comes out of the oven, the house smells like one of those store bought apple, cinnamon, and cranberry candles.
If you are in need of an easy cranberry and apple cake recipe that you serve during the holidays, especially on Christmas, I simply cannot imagine a better recipe.
In her book Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?
, Ina suggests to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, which, I think, is a marvelous idea. I promise you. Try it, it will be a hit.
If you liked this Cranberry Apple Cake Recipe You Might Also Like:
- Cranberry Poached Pears
- Clementine Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail
- High Protein Bread with Nuts, Seeds, and Cranberries
- Cranberry Fudge Swirl Cheesecake – Life Love and Sugar
- Sugared Cranberries – Vanilla and Bean
Easy Cranberry Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup (3,5 ounces) brown sugar, lightly packed – (I used light brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, from 2 oranges
- 1/4 cup (2 fl ounces) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 1/8 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- 2 extra large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon, 7 ounces + 0.5 ounce (divided) granulated sugar
- 1 stick, 4 ounces unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (2.25 fl ounces) sour cream
- 1 cup 5 ounces all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 F. Degrees. Lightly spray a 9 inch pie plate with oil spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cranberries, apple cubes, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice and 1-teaspoon cinnamon. Give it a stir and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix eggs for 2 minutes in medium speed. Add 1 cup of the granulated sugar, butter, vanilla, sour cream, and mix for 1 minute.
- Turn it down to slow speed and add the flour and salt mixture in 3 batches. Just mix until combined. If there are clumps of flour fold them in using a rubber spatula. Do not overmix.
- Pour the cranberry and apple mixture into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Pour the batter over the fruit mixture, covering it completely. Use the back of a large spoon to spread it evenly.
- Combine the remaining 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Sprinkle it over the batter.
- Place it in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 55-60 minutes.
- Let it cool for 15-20 minutes and serve with a scoop of ice-cream.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Adapted from Ina Garten’s cookbook Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?
Greetings from the UK just discovered your fabulous blog! Couple of questions do you think I could sub the melted butter for oil – same quantity (100g) if you think it would work? Would frozen cranberries work? Would I defrost or thaw which do you recommend? Big thanks…
Hello Nina,
Happy to hear that you found me!
I haven’t tried it, but I think you can sub oil in place of butter. You can also use frozen cranberries.
Hope this answers your questions.
This cake was a total hit. Made this for my in-laws and it was gone in no time.
Ha ha.. The same thing happens when I make it in our house 🙂
Hello!
This looks delicious! Any advice for storing and reheating? I would like to make this the day before our Thanksgiving dinner.
Thank you,
Liz
Hi Liz,
I just retested the recipe. If you see this today (Nov. 21st, 2019), you can even watch how I made it on my Instagram stories.
Sadly, I think this cake is at its best on the day it is baked. You can make it a day ahead, but it would not be as good.
I hope this helps.
You say 2 sticks of unsalted butter, 4oz. Does that mean 4oz each??? I can read it that way or 4oz total
Hi Susan,
This recipe uses only 1 stick of butter that is 4 ounces. I rechecked the recipe if I wrote it wrong, but it only lists 1 stick of butter. Will you please tell me where do you see that it says 2 sticks?
Thanks.
Can you make this with frozen cranberries?
You sure can!
Hi Can I make this with gluten free flour
Hi Bee,
It is really hard for me to say without actually trying. However, I believe there are several gluten free flours you can buy and use in place of all purpose flour. One brand I know is called Cup4Cup. I would start with that one and see how it goes.
Hey Ice,
I’m so going to try the cranberry/apple cake, when the kids are out of school for the holidays!! I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Hi Deji,
Yes you should try it. I promise you that they will love it. This cake is delicious.
Cheers!
Ice
I am so looking forward to trying this recipe, but can you please let me know the measurements for cooking it in the United Kingdom, pretty pretty please.
Hi Mummybear,
I added the measurements in the recipe.
From now on I will make sure to add UK friendly measurements on my recipes.
Thank you for stopping by. Let me know if you have any questions. I am just an e-mail away!
Cheers..
Ice
I am definitely making this cake for X-mas.
These photos are so pretty Ice! (I’m going to start calling you Ice now because it’s the coolest name ever) and what a beautiful recipe perfect for this time of year 🙂