The Barefoot Contessa’s Irresistible Cranberry & Apple Cake Recipe

Barefoot Contessa’s Cranberry & Apple Cake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that sparks culinary excitement.

Seasonal fruits blend harmoniously in this rustic creation, promising warmth and comfort with every slice.

Fragrant spices dance through the batter, elevating simple ingredients into something magical.

Homemade goodness radiates from this unpretentious yet sophisticated treat, making ordinary moments feel special.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Each forkful tells a story of balanced sweetness and gentle tartness.

Baking this cake will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas that welcome everyone home: come hungry and leave happy.

Savor the Charm of Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

• Burst of Seasonal Freshness: This cake captures the vibrant essence of autumn with its delightful combination of tart cranberries and sweet apples, creating a flavor explosion that dances on your taste buds.
• Effortless Baking Magic: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive dessert with minimal effort, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want a stunning result without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Comfort Treat: Equally delicious served warm or at room temperature, this cake becomes a flexible crowd-pleaser that works for casual family gatherings, elegant dinner parties, or cozy weekend breakfasts.
• Rustic Charm in Every Bite: The unique method of pouring batter over fruit creates a beautiful, rustic-style cake with a gorgeous golden top and bubbling fruit edges that looks like it came straight from a countryside kitchen.

Core Picks for Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

• Cranberries: Tart berries that provide a vibrant, tangy flavor and bright color to the cake.
• Apple: Fresh, crisp fruit adding natural sweetness and texture to the dessert.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps to enhance fruit flavors.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright, citrusy aromatic notes that complement the fruits.
• Orange Juice: Adds moisture and enhances the overall fruity flavor profile.

• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cake together.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
• Butter (Melted): Adds richness, moisture, and a smooth texture to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic baking flavor to the dessert.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tangy flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cake.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the cake.

• Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Creates a sweet, spiced crunch on top of the cake for added texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide for Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Gently prepare your oven by heating it to 325°F. Softly coat a 10-inch glass pie plate with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Fruity Magic

• Fresh cranberries
• Chopped apples
• Brown sugar
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Ground cinnamon

Let the fruit mixture rest and develop rich flavors.

Step 3: Whip Up The Cake Base

• Crack eggs into the mixing bowl
• Beat eggs until they become light and fluffy
• Pour in granulated sugar
• Add melted butter
• Splash vanilla extract
• Fold in sour cream
• Gradually mix in flour and salt until smooth

Step 4: Layer With Love

Spread the fruit mixture evenly across the pie plate. Gently pour cake batter over the fruit, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Sprinkle And Bake

Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dust this sweet blend over the cake’s surface. Slide into the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean and fruit bubbles around edges.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Let the cake cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful dessert experience.

Insider Tips for Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

• Boost Cranberry Freshness: Select plump, firm fresh cranberries that provide a vibrant tartness and prevent excess liquid in your cake.
• Temper Eggs Perfectly: Allow eggs to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to create a smoother, more uniform cake batter.
• Sift Dry Ingredients Strategically: Gently sift flour and baking powder together to eliminate lumps and distribute ingredients evenly for a consistent texture.
• Handle Batter with Care: Fold ingredients gently and minimally to maintain a light, tender crumb that won't become tough or dense.
• Master Cooling Technique: Rest the cake in the pan for 10 minutes to help it set and release cleanly, ensuring a beautiful presentation without crumbling.

Store Your Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake with Ease

• Long-Term Preservation: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing. Place each slice in a separate freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. This method prevents freezer burn and allows you to thaw only the amount you want to enjoy. Frozen cake maintains its delightful texture and flavor for up to 2 months.
• Moisture-Locking Technique: Store the cake in an airtight container with a small piece of bread or apple slice. These moisture-rich items help prevent the cake from drying out, keeping it soft and delectable. Place the container in the refrigerator's coolest section, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal freshness for 3-4 days.
• Quick Serving Strategy: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature.

Fun Twists on Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

• Rustic Berry Blend: Replace cranberries and apples with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant summer version of the cake.
• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Swap fruits with diced mangoes, pineapples, and passion fruit to create a tropical-inspired dessert with exotic flavor profiles.
• Spiced Autumn Edition: Enhance the cake by adding ground nutmeg and ginger to the batter, and use pears instead of apples for a warm, seasonal transformation.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the fruit mixture before adding the batter to introduce a crunchy texture and rich, earthy undertones.

A Sweet Close to Your Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake Journey

Culinary magic unfolds with this cranberry and apple cake, bridging rustic charm and sophisticated flavor profiles.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Seasonal fruits dance beneath a golden, tender crumb that whispers comfort and celebration.

Warm spices weave through each delectable slice, creating memories of autumn gatherings.

Weekend bakers can confidently craft this stunning masterpiece with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Fall in love with this irresistible dish – share its magic, comment with passion, spread joy through baking, and let sweet connections bloom across your kitchen and heart.

Barefoot Contessa Easy Cranberry & Apple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Easy Cranberry & Apple Cake delivers rustic autumn comfort with seasonal fruit and buttery richness. Moist crumb and tender chunks of apple mingle with tart cranberries, creating a simple yet elegant dessert perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet weekend afternoons.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ pound (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

Sugar and Sweeteners:

• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1–1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 325°F (170°C) and coating a 10-inch (25 cm) glass pie dish with a light layer of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create a vibrant fruit base by combining fresh cranberries, diced apples, rich brown sugar, fragrant orange zest, tangy orange juice, and a touch of ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest and allow flavors to meld.
3. Craft the cake batter by whipping eggs in an electric mixer until they become light and airy, approximately 2 minutes. Gradually incorporate granulated sugar, melted butter, pure vanilla extract, and smooth sour cream, blending until just integrated.
4. Gently fold in all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt, mixing on low speed until the batter achieves a silky, uniform consistency without overmixing.
5. Arrange the fruit mixture evenly across the prepared pie plate, ensuring a balanced distribution of cranberries and apples.
6. Carefully pour the cake batter over the fruit, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and completely cover the fruity base.
7. Enhance the cake’s flavor profile by sprinkling a delicate mixture of remaining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon across the top surface.
8. Slide the pie plate into the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the fruit edges become delightfully bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool slightly, letting the flavors settle and intensify. Serve either warm or at room temperature for optimal enjoyment.

Notes

• Grab those fresh cranberries for maximum texture and juicy bursts, steering clear of moisture-heavy frozen ones that might dampen your cake’s spirit.
• Warm up your eggs to room temperature, letting them mingle seamlessly with other ingredients and create a silky-smooth batter.
• Sift flour and baking powder separately, ensuring even distribution and a consistent, beautiful rise throughout your delightful creation.
• Treat the batter gently – mix just until combined to maintain that dreamy, light-as-air texture that makes everyone swoon.
• Give your cake a cozy 10-minute rest in the pan, allowing it to set perfectly and slide out without a single crack or crumble.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: Approximately 280
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 50mg