Ina’s Fruity Magic: Simple Apple Cranberry Cake Recipe

Check out the world of apple cranberry cake, where humble ingredients transform into a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Tart cranberries and sweet apples weave a magical tapestry of taste, creating a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Cinnamon and nutmeg whisper nostalgic tales through each tender crumb, inviting comfort and joy to your table.

Rustic yet refined, this cake bridges home cooking and culinary artistry with remarkable ease.

Bursts of juicy fruit punctuate a soft, inviting texture that promises pure delight.

Winter’s bounty shines through this ingenious recipe, blending tradition with contemporary flair.

Let’s turn simple ingredients into an unforgettable masterpiece that will leave everyone craving another slice.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes in Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

• Cranberries: Select plump, firm berries with vibrant deep red color for maximum flavor burst.
• Apples: Choose crisp, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith for balanced sweetness.
• Orange: Pick fresh, fragrant oranges with smooth, heavy skin for zesty brightness.
• Brown Sugar: Opt for moist, soft sugar that clumps easily for rich caramel undertones.
• Cinnamon: Use fresh ground cinnamon for warm, intense aromatic notes.

• Eggs: Select large, room temperature eggs for smooth, even incorporation.
• Granulated Sugar: Use fine, pure white sugar for consistent sweetness.
• Butter: Select high-quality unsalted butter for clean, rich flavor profile.
• Vanilla: Choose pure vanilla extract over imitation for deeper complexity.
• Sour Cream: Pick full-fat, creamy sour cream for luxurious texture.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour sifted to prevent lumps.
• Salt: Select fine kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.

• Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Blend for sweet, spicy crunch that caramelizes beautifully.

Tools List for Apple Cranberry Cake

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Perfect for creating a smooth, well-blended batter with minimal effort.
• Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing cranberries, apples, and other fruity ingredients together.
• 10-inch Glass Pie Plate: Essential for layering fruit and batter, ensuring even baking and beautiful presentation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements and consistent results.
• Zester or Grater: Helps create fine orange zest to add bright, citrusy flavor.
• Toothpick: Handy for checking cake doneness by testing the center's consistency.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring fruit mixture and scraping bowl edges.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.

Directions to Make Ina’s Sweet and Tart Cake

• Preheat Baking Environment

Warm your oven to a cozy 325°F, creating the perfect backdrop for a delightful dessert adventure.

• Create Flavor Symphony

Toss together a vibrant medley of cranberries, crisp apples, warm spices, and citrusy notes in a mixing bowl, letting the ingredients dance and mingle with zesty orange and sweet brown sugar.

• Craft Velvety Batter

Whip eggs into a luxurious foam, folding in sugar, melted butter, and creamy sour cream. Gently incorporate flour until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth canvas ready to embrace the fruity base.

• Build Delicious Layers

Spread the fruit mixture as a colorful foundation in a pie plate, then lovingly pour the batter over top, ensuring every inch is covered with golden promise.

• Sprinkle Magic Dust

Dust the surface with a whimsical blend of sugar and cinnamon, creating a sparkling crown that will caramelize during baking.

• Bake Until Perfection

Slide the creation into the oven, allowing it to transform for about an hour. Watch for telltale signs of readiness – a clean toothpick and bubbling fruit edges signaling your masterpiece is complete.

• Celebrate Your Creation

Let the cake cool slightly, then serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, transforming a simple dessert into a moment of pure joy.

Tips for Moistness and Flavor in Ina’s Cake

Replace cranberries with raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor profile. Each berry brings its unique tangy sweetness to the dessert.

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the fruit mixture for a delightful crunch. The nuts provide an extra layer of richness and complexity.

Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon. These warm spices elevate the cake’s aromatic qualities.

Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for those with dietary restrictions. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.

How to Serve Apple Cranberry Cake the Elegant Way

• Serve With Cool Cream: Top the warm cake with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast.
• Dust With Sweet Sprinkle: Lightly dust the cake with powdered sugar just before serving to add an elegant touch and extra sweetness.
• Pair With Hot Beverage: Enjoy this fruity dessert alongside a steaming mug of coffee, chai tea, or hot apple cider to enhance the cozy flavor profile.
• Garnish With Fresh Fruit: Decorate the plate with a few fresh cranberries or apple slices to boost the visual appeal and provide a crisp, fresh element to the dessert.

Ina’s Guide to Storing Cranberry Cake Leftovers

• Maximize Freshness: Store the cranberry apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Refrigerate Wisely: When stored in the refrigerator, the cake remains delicious for 5-7 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen cake maintains its quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Serving Smart: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm the entire cake in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore its just-baked warmth and softness.

Perfect Apple Cranberry Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s apple cranberry cake blends sweet and tart flavors in a perfectly spiced autumn dessert. Warm cinnamon and seasonal fruits create a comforting homemade treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries, rinsed and stems removed
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• ¼ lb (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tbsp grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1–1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (divided)
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Fruit Preparation: In a mixing bowl, combine cranberries, diced apples, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and ground cinnamon, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
2. Batter Creation: Whip eggs using an electric mixer until light and airy, gradually blending in granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and sour cream until smoothly incorporated.
3. Flour Integration: Gently fold in all-purpose flour and salt at low speed, maintaining a silky, uniform batter without overmixing.
4. Fruit Layering: Spread the aromatic fruit mixture evenly across the bottom of a 10-inch glass pie plate, creating a vibrant foundation for the cake.
5. Batter Covering: Pour the cake batter over the fruit layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
6. Topping Finesse: Sprinkle a delicate mixture of remaining sugar and cinnamon across the batter’s surface for an extra touch of sweetness and spice.
7. Baking Precision: Slide the pie plate into a 325°F (163°C) oven, baking for 55-60 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and fruit edges begin to bubble.
8. Doneness Check: Insert a toothpick into the cake’s center; a clean removal indicates perfect baking.
9. Serving Suggestion: Allow cake to cool slightly, then serve with a luxurious accompaniment of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

• Fruit Prep Matters: Dice apples and cranberries uniformly to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the cake.
• Temperature Control: Use room temperature eggs and butter for smoother batter and more even mixing, which helps achieve a lighter cake texture.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Mix flour gently to prevent gluten development, keeping the cake tender and preventing a tough, dense result.
• Topping Tip: Sprinkle sugar-cinnamon mixture just before baking to create a delightful caramelized, slightly crispy top layer that adds extra flavor and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg