Ah, the magic of Christmas desserts! There’s just something so heartwarming about the sweet aromas wafting through the kitchen as we prepare for the holiday season. This delicious Christmas dessert is sure to bring joy to your celebrations, with its delightful combination of flavors and textures. Imagine biting into a moist, tender cake studded with tart cranberries and crunchy nuts—it’s like a festive party in your mouth! Plus, it’s super easy to whip up, making it a perfect option for both seasoned bakers and newbies alike. Trust me, this dessert will become a beloved tradition at your holiday gatherings!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple, yet essential ingredients to create your festive Christmas dessert:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice, but walnuts or pecans work beautifully!)
Make sure to have everything measured out and ready to go—this will make your baking experience smooth and enjoyable!
How to Prepare Instructions
Alright, let’s get this holiday baking party started! Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a delightful Christmas dessert in no time:
- First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for that perfect bake!
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. This helps to create a nice, airy texture!
- Now stir in the pure vanilla extract, and let those festive aromas fill your kitchen.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—this keeps the cake tender!
- Gently fold in the dried cranberries and your choice of chopped nuts. They add such a lovely texture!
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. You want every slice to have that beautiful color and texture!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let it cool in the dish for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
And there you have it! Easy peasy, right? Just wait until you take that first bite—pure holiday bliss!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: This recipe comes together in just about 15 minutes, which means more time for holiday fun!
- Festive Flavors: The combination of tart cranberries and crunchy nuts brings a delightful taste that screams holiday cheer.
- Super Easy to Make: Whether you’re a baking pro or just starting out, this recipe is straightforward and forgiving.
- Vegetarian-Friendly: It’s a dessert everyone can enjoy, making it perfect for all your family and friends!
- Perfect for Sharing: This recipe yields 8 generous servings, making it a great dessert to bring to gatherings or share with loved ones.
Tips for Success
Let’s make sure your Christmas dessert turns out absolutely perfect! Here are some of my tried-and-true tips to ensure your baking experience is smooth sailing:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start. This helps everything blend together beautifully, creating that light and fluffy texture we all crave.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh baking powder and high-quality vanilla extract. Trust me, it makes a world of difference in flavor!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, and we want it to be light and airy!
- Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on your cake towards the end of the baking time. Ovens can vary, so it’s smart to check a few minutes early. The toothpick test is your best friend here!
- Serve Warm: This dessert is delightful served warm, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on top. It elevates the flavors and makes it even more festive!
- Chill for Flavor: If you have the time, let the cake sit for a few hours (or even overnight) before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to impress your guests with a scrumptious holiday treat!
Variations
Feeling adventurous? This Christmas dessert is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to mix things up and make it your own! Here are some fun variations to consider:
- Fruity Twist: Swap out the dried cranberries for other dried fruits like apricots, cherries, or even raisins. Each fruit brings its own unique flavor and texture!
- Nutty Delight: Change your nuts! Try using slivered almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts for a different crunch. You could even toast them lightly for an extra depth of flavor.
- Spiced Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, cozy spice that pairs beautifully with the other flavors.
- Citrus Zing: Incorporate the zest of an orange or lemon into the batter for a refreshing citrus burst. It brightens up the flavors perfectly!
- Chocolate Lovers: Fold in some chocolate chips or chunks into the batter for a decadent touch. Dark or white chocolate works fabulously here!
- Serving Style: Instead of slicing into squares, consider serving it as a trifle! Layer pieces of the cake with whipped cream and fresh berries for a stunning presentation that’s sure to impress.
Feel free to mix and match these variations based on your tastes and what you have on hand. The possibilities are endless, and each twist adds a personal touch to your festive creation!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Now that you’ve created this delightful Christmas dessert, you might be wondering how to store those tasty leftovers (if there are any!). Here’s how to keep your cake fresh and delicious:
- Storing Leftovers: Allow the cake to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days, or you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
- Freezing: If you want to save some for later (trust me, it’s great to have on hand!), you can freeze the cake. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to indulge again, simply take a slice out of the fridge or freezer. If it’s frozen, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. For a warm treat, pop it in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or until heated through. You can also warm it in an oven set to 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes—this method brings back that freshly baked taste!
And there you go! With these storage and reheating tips, you can savor your Christmas dessert long after the holiday festivities have ended. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Nutritional Information
Now, I know that when it comes to holiday treats, we often indulge a bit more than usual, but it’s nice to have an idea of what we’re enjoying! Here’s the estimated nutritional information for each slice of this delightful Christmas dessert:
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 15g
- Protein: 4g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates based on typical ingredients, and actual nutritional content may vary slightly depending on specific brands or variations you choose to incorporate. Regardless, it’s all about enjoying the moment and celebrating the season with this scrumptious dessert!
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? Absolutely! Fresh cranberries will give a tart punch to your Christmas dessert. Just be sure to adjust the sugar slightly since fresh cranberries can be more sour.
How can I make this dessert gluten-free? You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Just check that the blend has a good structure for baking, and you should be all set for a delicious gluten-free treat!
What if I don’t have nuts on hand? No worries at all! You can simply omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch without the allergens.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time? Yes! This Christmas dessert actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store it properly, and you can enjoy it fresh and festive whenever you like!
What’s the best way to serve it? This cake is delightful on its own, but I recommend serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top gives it a lovely holiday touch!
Drucken
Christmas Dessert: Create 8 Joyful Servings of Bliss
- Gesamtzeit: 50 minutes
- Ertrag: 8 servings 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
A delicious Christmas dessert that brings joy to your holiday celebrations.
Zutaten
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Fold in cranberries and nuts.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Feel free to add other dried fruits or spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 35 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 slice
- Kalorien: 200
- Zucker: 15g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 8g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 30g
- Faser: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterin: 40mg
Keywords: christmas dessert
