Rich Butter Cake with Fresh Cranberries
Ingredients
For the Cake:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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1 ½ cups granulated sugar
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4 large eggs, at room temperature
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup sour cream or full-fat yogurt
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½ cup milk
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1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (halved if large)
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2 tablespoons flour (for tossing the cranberries)
Optional Glaze (for a glossy finish):
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½ cup powdered sugar
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1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice or milk
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, 9×9-inch square pan, or bundt pan.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy — about 3–4 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by the milk and sour cream, then the remaining dry ingredients.
Mix gently until just combined — don’t overmix.
6. Add Cranberries
Toss cranberries with 2 tablespoons of flour (this prevents them from sinking).
Fold them gently into the batter.
7. Bake
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Optional Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice (or milk) together until smooth.
Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Tips
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Add 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest for a bright citrus note.
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Substitute blueberries or raspberries for a seasonal twist.
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This cake keeps well at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Would you like me to include a cranberry-orange butter cake variation with a citrus syrup soak (moist and festive)?
