Name: Easy Cranberry Apple Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
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

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.

A slice of Apple Cranberry Cake photographed from the front view.

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.