A soft and moist almond flavored cake filled with fresh cranberries and topped with a sweet almond streusel. A delicious breakfast or dessert for the holiday season. Choose between two pan sizes and whip up this incredible cake anytime you choose.
Get ready to sink your teeth into the very best Cranberry Cake! The combination of almond and cranberry is a match made in heaven! This soft almond cake is studded with fresh cranberries, topped with an almond streusel, and drizzled with almond icing.
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Recipe overview
Cake: The base of this cake is an almond-flavored cake that is soft and moist and filled with fresh cranberries.
Topping: An almond streusel topping gets sprinkled on top of the cake before baking. This crumb topping adds a sweet almond crunch to every bite.
Bake: Bake this cake in a 9×9 or 8×11 pan for 30-40 minutes.
Icing: After cooling, drizzle the cake with an almond icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Texture: Thanks to the butter/sugar creaming technique as well as the addition of sour cream this cake bakes up ultra soft and moist. The crunchy almond topping contrasts wonderfully with the tender cake.
Flavor: The combination of sweet almond and tart cranberry is incredible!
Versatility: This cake can be served for breakfast alongside a cup of coffee or tea. It can also be dessert, topped with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Ingredient spotlight: almond extract
Aside from the cranberries, almond extract is the star of this recipe. It adds the perfect almond flavor to every layer (cake, topping, AND icing). Be sure to use pure almond extract, not imitation, for the best flavor. Almond extract is much stronger than vanilla extract, so use it sparingly.
More almond recipes: Almond Cake, Almond Croissants, Almond Cherry Crumb Bars.
Recipe tips
Butter should be room temperature so that it blends easily.
Use thick sour cream (full fat or low fat) so that the batter isn’t too thin. Daisy brand is my favorite.
Don’t overmix. In order to keep the cake light and tender make sure to mix the cake batter until just combined.
Stir in the cranberries by hand (using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon). This ensures that they don’t get broken up by the mixer.
Don’t overbake. As you approach the end of bake time watch the cake closely, pull it out of the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Pan size options
This recipe can be made in a 9×9 square baking pan or an 8×11 rectangle baking pan.
9×9: This makes a slightly thicker cake. It will take a little longer to bake than the 8×11 pan.
8×11: This is my preferred pan size. The cake is thick, but not too thick. It bakes a few minutes faster than the 9×9.
Do NOT try to squeeze this batter into an 8×8 pan. There will be too much batter and the edges will dry out before the center is cooked through.
Can you freeze cranberry cake?
Yes. Double wrap leftover slices of this cake and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw a slice anytime you need a sweet treat.
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Recipe
Almond Cranberry Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour*
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ teaspoons almond extract
- ⅔ cup sour cream, thick sour cream is best
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 scant cups fresh cranberries
Almond topping:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Icing:
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons milk
- drop almond extract
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 6 tablespoons butter and ⅔ cup sugar for several minutes, until creamy and well combined. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract. Beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Beat until just combined. Add the sour cream and 2 tablespoons milk, beating until combined. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients. Add the cranberries and use a rubber spatula to gently fold them into the batter.
- Grease a 9×9 square baking pan or 8×11 rectangle baking pan**. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Make topping.
Topping:
- Combine butter, sugar, flour, and almond extract. Use a fork to stir and mash the butter into the dry ingredients. Add the sliced almonds and mix until combined. Sprinkle the topping over the top of the cake batter. Bake for 30-40 minutes (begin checking at 30 minutes, see note), until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool.
Icing:
- Whisk all icing ingredients. Adjust the consistency as necessary by adding more powdered sugar or milk. Drizzle over the top of the cake.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
myles
can i use a 9 inch springform instead
Allison
I’ve only made the recipe as written. You’re welcome to play around with it.
Paula
I’ve made this cake at least a dozen times and I’ve shared to several friends and family! But I’ve substituted items to make vegan for my daughter! It was kinda a trial and error at first but I have to admit I did it the first attempt! (And that doesn’t usually happen) it can b tricky to do that. I used plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream and applesauce for the eggs! And of course plant based butter and almond milk. Everyone loves this cake for every occasion! I even gave the recipe to a friend for a funeral luncheon! Thanks so much for sharing this cake!! ♥️
Allison
Thanks for the kind review and thanks for sharing your modifications. 🙂
Sylvie
But yogurt is not vegan.
Janet
I can”t wait to try this cake! Is the 11″ x 8″ pan a metal baking pan or a Pyrex glass baking dish? Thank you!
Allison
I used a glass pan for the 8×11.
Liz Karas
I tried this recipe substituting Greek yogurt for the sour cream as it was what I had available and the ladies of game night raved. I accidently doubled the baking powder, reading glasses are necessary for me, and the texture was moist and light. The almonds and just a moderate amount of glaze added texture, flavor, and a touch of sweetness that accompanied the tart cranberries well.
All other directions were followed exactly for this “print worthy” cake recipe. Printed It is now stored in my binder in a plastic protective sleeve as I anticipate to repeat the experience multiple times in the future.
Allison
Thanks for the kind review! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Rebecca
Would like to make this cake in a 9×13 size pan. Should I double the recipe?
Allison
I think double will make a really thick cake, probably not ideal. One and a half of the recipe would likely be the better amount for a 9×13. I can’t say for sure, I haven’t tried it.
Liv
Can I use a 10×10 cake pan? I don’t have 9×9 or 8×11. Thanks in advance!
Allison
I think the cake might out come quite thin. You’re welcome to play around with it.
Cristine Saunders
Delicious! But use good butter, flour (King Author All purpose), etc…don’t skimp..use a good bakers vanilla, & a very good Almond extract:)) It’s a lovely cake, that everyone will love, if they like cranberries….that taste more like cherries! Just kidding, but it’s a really good cake…yes, I would make this again. I also Love Nantucket pie, which is similiar..another favorite recipe of mine…thank you for sharing this recipe & God Bless.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
Doreen
OMG – this has become my new brunch necessity!! I changed nothing! So moist (hence the missing piece!), and delightful. The burst of flavor from both the cranberries and the almond extract makes this cake so tasty! My husband said it tasted like “More, please!” Thank you for making this recipe available to us cranberry nuts!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Debbie T
Made this yesterday……..delicious❣️I gave some to a friend with same statement from her!_
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Stephanie Sekula
I have made this cake a dozen times and love it. Today I’m adding blueberries as well!! I hope it’s tasty!
Allison
That’s great to hear! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂