Fresh cranberry coffee cake

Cranberries have a very short season at the grocery store – buy them while they’re available.  They freeze really well.  Freeze some now for fresh cake later!

Holiday baking has to include fresh cranberries

I don’t know about you but I love the flavors of this season – pumpkin, warm spices like cinnamon, and fresh cranberries.  I’ll be sharing my Pumpkin Bread recipe tomorrow but had to share this easy coffee cake recipe with you today! 

Do you remember the Thanksgiving episode of The Simpsons where Bart is repeatedly asking his mom if he can help?  She finally gives him the cranberry can to open and he can’t even do that!  For some reason, that scene just cracked me up!  I personally love the canned cranberries.  I know a lot of people turn up their noses but their tart flavor pairs nicely with the rich flavors of the turkey, turkey gravy, and all of the other flavors on the table that day!  While I also love making fresh cranberries for the Thanksgiving table, no one else really loves cranberries like I do in our household. 

What I love to bake most with cranberries is this Cranberry Coffee Cake for nibbling throughout the day!  It takes just a few minutes, calls for ingredients always in my pantry (well, except those fresh cranberries) and is a joy to eat!  You can mix it up the night before baking and pop it into the pre-heated oven for a warm cake in the morning.  And, once baked and cooled, it can be frozen for later.  Really, such a perfect little cake!

This makes a tart coffeecake with not too much sugar in the recipe as written.  If you need it a little sweeter, add 1/2 cup sugar to the recipe.  You might also sprinkle up to 2 tbsp Demerara Cane Sugar on the top before baking.  It adds a nice crunch and a little sweetness.

Enjoy!

Cranberry Coffee Cake

• 1/2 c (8 oz) softened butter
• 1 cup + 1T sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
2. Cream your butter and sugars until well mixed.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
   
4. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.
5. Mix cranberries with 2 Tbls of the flour mixture.
6. Mix 1/3 of the cranberry/flour mixture into the creamed batter, alternating with the addition of the buttermilk.  Do not overmix or crush your cranberries.
7. Pour into a greased 9″ pan and bake for 45-55 minutes.
   

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Cranberry Coffee Cake

Fresh cranberries are in the shops for such a short amount of time.  Make sure to enjoy the season with this easy-to-prepare coffee cake!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 9 slices

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
   

2. Grease a 9″ pan.
   

3. Cream together your softened butter with your sugar.
   

4. Add your egg and vanilla and mix well.
   

5. Combine your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.
   

6. Toss cranberries with 2 Tbsp of your flour mixture.
   

7. Alternating with your buttermilk and your cranberry/flour mixture, add to your batter, starting with your cranberry/flour mixture.  Don’t over-mix or crush your cranberries.
   

8. Place into prepared pan. 
   

9. Bake 45-55 minutes until golden brown on top.
   

Recipe Notes

Perfect recipe to prepare the night before baking. Prepare all the way to placing in greased pan. Cover with foil and refrigerate. Preheat oven and bake as directed straight from refrigerator.

This makes a tart coffeecake. If you need it a bit sweeter, add 1/2 cup extra sugar to your recipe or top with 2 Tbsp sugar before baking.