Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle – a delightful dessert that captures the essence of the season with its vibrant red cranberries and warm spices. Perfect for festive gatherings or cozy evenings by the fire, this cranberry buckle is sure to become a cherished addition to your holiday traditions. With a tender cake base, bursting with tart cranberries, and topped with a buttery streusel crumble, every bite is a taste of Christmas magic. So, gather your loved ones and let’s celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this delicious dessert!
Resume of the recipe: Spread holiday cheer with our Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle recipe – a festive twist on the classic buckle dessert that’s guaranteed to impress. Made with juicy cranberries, warm spices, and a buttery crumb topping, this dessert is the perfect combination of tart, sweet, and comforting flavors. Whether served as a dessert centerpiece at your holiday feast or enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly winter evening, this cranberry buckle is sure to delight your taste buds and warm your heart with every bite.
Exciting Story: In the heart of our cozy kitchen, where the scent of cinnamon and cranberries fills the air and twinkling lights cast a warm glow, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation that can only mean one thing – Christmas baking time! It’s in this cherished space that I first discovered the joy of making Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle – a recipe that has since become a beloved tradition in our home. As I mixed the batter, folded in the plump cranberries, and sprinkled the crumbly streusel topping over the cake, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of happiness knowing that soon we would be gathered around the table, savoring the delicious flavors of the season together.
Why This Recipe Rocks:
- Holiday Flavors: With its tart cranberries, warm spices, and buttery streusel topping, our Christmas Cranberry Buckle captures the essence of the holiday season in every bite.
- Simple and Delicious: Made with pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients, this buckle recipe is a breeze to whip up, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Whether served as a festive finale to your holiday meal or shared at a cookie exchange, this cranberry buckle is sure to be a hit with family and friends alike.
What i need to make Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How to Make Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon until crumbly. Set aside.
- Make Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with sour cream or Greek yogurt, until just combined. Gently fold in cranberries.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the cranberry buckle to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature, and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Tips For Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle:
- If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter. Simply fold them in straight from the freezer.
- To prevent the streusel topping from burning, you can loosely tent the baking pan with aluminum foil halfway through the baking time.
- For added flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the cake batter for a citrusy twist.
Substitutions and Variations For Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle:
- Substitute other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples for the cranberries for a different flavor profile.
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for added crunch and flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, you can use coconut oil or vegan butter in place of the butter, and dairy-free yogurt or sour cream.
Make a Healthier Version For Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle:
- Use whole wheat flour or almond flour in place of all-purpose flour for added fiber and nutrients.
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or use a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream for full-fat sour cream for a lighter option.
Closing: Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with our Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle – a delightful dessert that’s sure to fill your home with warmth and cheer. With its festive flavors and irresistible aroma, this buckle is the perfect treat to enjoy with loved ones during this special time of year. So, gather around the table, savor each delicious bite, and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions For Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle:
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen cranberries?
While fresh or frozen cranberries are recommended for their tartness and juiciness, you can certainly use dried cranberries if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind that dried cranberries may be sweeter and chewier than fresh ones.
Can I make this buckle ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes, you can bake the cranberry buckle ahead of time, allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I use a different type of fruit in this Easy Christmas Cranberry Buckle?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples for a variation on the classic cranberry buckle.
Can I use a different type of spice in the streusel topping?
Certainly! You can customize the streusel topping by adding spices such as ginger, cloves, or allspice for a unique flavor profile.
Can I serve this buckle with whipped cream or ice cream?
Definitely! A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be the perfect finishing touch to this festive dessert.
CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY BUCKLE
Course: All Recipes4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
For the Cake:
cups all-purpose flour
teaspoons baking powder
/2 teaspoon salt
teaspoon ground cinnamon
/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
cup granulated sugar
large eggs
teaspoon vanilla extract
cup whole milk
cups fresh cranberries
For the Streusel Topping:
/2 cup all-purpose flour
/4 cup granulated sugar
/4 cup brown sugar, packed
/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sift Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, continuing to mix until well combined.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
- Fold in Cranberries:
- Gently fold in the fresh cranberries until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Prepare Streusel Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Pour in melted butter and mix until crumbly.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the Christmas Cranberry Buckle to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and revel in the festive flavors!