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Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake

This vanilla cranberry buttermilk cake is the perfect Christmas cake. Full of fresh cranberries, vanilla beans, orange zest, and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top for an extra special sparkly surprise.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake on a plate.

It’s totally ok to eat cake for breakfast, right? And for dessert? And maybe for lunch?

I don’t know. I just really love cake and I pretty much want to eat it for all. the. meals.

Especially when that cake is vanilla cranberry buttermilk cake. I’m totally weak in the knees for it.

If you caught my vanilla bean persimmon crisp from last week you’ll know that I’m straight up on a vanilla bean kick.

And maybe a cranberry kick.

But, that is only because I still had 4 full bags of cranberries in my crisper that I may have forgotten about. I had to get them used STAT!

“STAT means now!” Name the reference.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake sliced to show cranberries.

I also had some halo oranges sitting around in my fruit bowl so I was all about adding some of that to the batter. Cranberries and oranges are the total BFF of the fall-flavored cake and muffin world.

PLUS we all love that little bit of citrus and the smell is so fresh (and so clean clean.)

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake sprinkled with sugar.

If I’m being honest I should admit that I basically ate this whole cake myself.

I know it’s only an 8×8 but that is still pretty embarrassing.

Actually, I sorta wish I had some cake right now. It’s almost midnight and I have a major case of the munchies.

I need some cake.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake served on dessert plates.

I literally just got up and went to the kitchen to look for the cake. Nada.

So instead I grabbed a bag of salt and vinegar chips. My mouth is not gonna like me in the morning.

Does your mouth also hate vinegar? Tastebuds love it. My mouth hates it.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake on a plate with a fork.

Alight, I should probably get back to this cake.

I didn’t want to drizzle it with frosting or cover it in powdered sugar so instead, I sprinkled it with some turbinado sugar to bring in a crunchy bite and sparkly topping.

I love the look.

And I might have had a jar of this sugar just staring me in the face begging to be used.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake served on a white plate.

Oh, and do you know the tip about buttermilk?

Don’t worry if you don’t have any. You can make it at home!

All you need is 1 cup of regular milk and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.

Easy. Peasy.

Well, I guess I should add you add the lemon juice OR white vinegar to the milk, give it a stir, let it sit for 30 minutes, and THEN you’ll have buttermilk.

Fully complete and easy peasy.

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake cut to show filling.

More fresh cranberry recipes

This vanilla cranberry buttermilk cake is the perfect Christmas cake. Full of fresh cranberries, vanilla beans, orange zest and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top for an extra special sparkly surprise. You'll love how easy it is to make this tasty breakfast or dessert treat!

Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
This vanilla cranberry buttermilk cake is the perfect Christmas cake. Full of fresh cranberries, vanilla beans, orange zest, and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top for an extra special sparkly surprise.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 x8 dish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 ounces room temperature butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 2-3 tablespoons coarse turbinado sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray, set aside.
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer add butter, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla bean paste. Mix on medium speed for 3 minutes or until the butter and sugar are fully creamed and slightly fluffy.
  • Scrape down the sides, add the egg and mix until fully combined.
  • Pour in 1/3 of the buttermilk, and mix until combined.
  • Add in 1/2 of the flour mixture, and mix until combined
  • Continue with another round of buttermilk, and flour, and finish with the remaining buttermilk.
  • Add cranberries to a bowl, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and toss to combine.
  • Fold the cranberries and any remaining flour
  • Add the batter to the prepared pan and spread out as smoothly as possible. The batter is a little thick.
  • Sprinkle the top of the cake with 2-3 tablespoons of coarse turbinado sugar. The amount you use depends on how sugary you want the topping.
  • Bake for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the middle of the cake.
  • Let cool and serve for breakfast or dessert.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 365mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast cake, buttermilk cake, christmas cake, cranberry buttermilk cake, cranberry cake, snack cake, vanilla cranberry buttermilk cake, winter cake
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
Vanilla Cranberry Buttermilk Cake pin for Pinterest.
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Jessica | The Novice Chef

Tuesday 25th of December 2018

this will be perfect for our guests this week!

Jamielyn

Wednesday 19th of December 2018

I love all the flavors in this cake!! So delicious!

Abeer

Wednesday 19th of December 2018

I am such a cranberry lover! I need to make this soon! I know my husband will love it too!

Catalina

Wednesday 19th of December 2018

This cake looks amazing!!!! It makes me drooling!

Shelley

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

Oh my - I can absolutely see why you basically ended up eating this whole thing yourself (and peeking in the kitchen for more)! Salt and vinegar chips are definitely no substitute for this beauty LOL! I love the idea of combining orange with the fresh cranberries - yum - and it's genius to go with that finishing sprinkle of turbinado sugar for a nice, crunchy topping!

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