Description
This Cranberry Bliss Coffee Cake is a luscious, sweet treat bursting with tangy cranberries, smooth cream cheese frosting, and a tender crumb. Perfectly balancing bright flavors and rich textures, it is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or any cozy gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Main Flavorings
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, thawed and drained)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. If using frozen cranberries, thaw and drain them well to prevent a soggy batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures even leavening for a light, airy cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for warmth and depth of flavor.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream: Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) into the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Gently fold in the cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar followed by milk or cream, beating until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Optionally, garnish with whole cranberries or finely chopped nuts for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for a firmer texture and brighter flavor, though frozen cranberries work well too.
- Do not overmix the batter; stir just until ingredients combine to maintain a tender crumb.
- Bring butter, eggs, and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth blending.
- Test doneness early with a toothpick to avoid overbaking and dryness.
- Cool the cake completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: cranberry coffee cake, cream cheese frosting, breakfast cake, brunch dessert, cranberry dessert