Description
This Cranberry Bliss Coffee Cake is a delightful blend of sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and a hint of ginger, all baked into a moist and tender cake. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with orange flavors and extra cranberries, this cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup buttermilk or sour cream
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (soaked in warm water for 20 minutes, drained, and towel dried)
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange extract or zest of ½ orange
- 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips, melted
- â…” cup dried cranberries (soaked in warm water for 20 minutes, drained, and towel dried)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan to ensure the cake does not stick.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and pale.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ground ginger to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spice.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the melted butter and buttermilk (or sour cream). Mix gently just until all ingredients are combined, to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Fold in Add-Ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and the soaked, drained, and dried cranberries to distribute them evenly without breaking them down.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange extract or zest, and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Frost and Garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Drizzle melted white chocolate chips over the top and sprinkle with the soaked and dried cranberries for garnish.
Notes
- Soaking dried cranberries in warm water plumps them and prevents them from drawing moisture from the cake batter.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to maintain a tender crumb.
- You can substitute sour cream for buttermilk for a richer flavor.
- Optional: add chopped nuts such as pecans for added texture in the batter or on top.
- The glaze of melted white chocolate adds a beautiful visual accent and extra sweetness.
