Quick & Easy Ina Garten Apple Cranberry Cake Recipe

This apple cranberry cake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that dances between tart and sweet flavor profiles.

Seasonal fruits mingle harmoniously, creating a dessert that whispers comfort and celebration simultaneously.

Warm spices embrace juicy fruit chunks, promising a sensory journey through each delectable bite.

Rustic and elegant, the cake represents a perfect balance of home-style baking and sophisticated technique.

Soft crumb textures contrast with bright fruit bursts, making every slice a delightful surprise.

Robust winter ingredients come together in a recipe that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Home bakers of all skill levels can successfully craft this crowd-pleasing treat: prepare to impress your guests with minimal effort.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

• Cranberries: Tart berries that add bright flavor and gorgeous color to the cake.
• Apples: Sweet and soft fruit that provides natural sweetness and texture.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright citrus aroma and enhances overall fruit flavors.
• Orange Juice: Helps moisten the fruit mixture and brings subtle citrus notes.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness to the fruit mix.

• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake's texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender cake crumb.
• Vanilla: Brings warm, classic baking flavor to the dessert.
• Sour Cream: Ensures a moist and tender cake texture.
• Flour: Forms the base structure of the cake.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and classic baking aroma.
• Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream: Optional serving suggestion for extra indulgence.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the ingredients.

Step 2: Create Fruit Mixture

• Cranberries
• Chopped apples
• Brown sugar
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Cinnamon

Stir everything thoroughly and set aside.

Step 3: Whip Up The Batter

• Beat eggs for 2 minutes on medium-high speed
• Add granulated sugar
• Pour in cooled melted butter
• Mix in vanilla
• Blend in sour cream
• Gradually add flour and salt on low speed until smooth

Step 4: Layer The Dessert

Pour fruit mixture into a 10-inch glass pie plate, spreading evenly. Carefully pour batter over fruit, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Prepare For Baking

Mix granulated sugar with cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the batter.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

• A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• Fruit edges are bubbling

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Allow cake to cool slightly. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

• Zap Overmixing Risks: Stir batter with a light hand to prevent dense, tough cake texture that destroys the delicate crumb.
• Maximize Fruit Freshness: Select crisp, vibrant cranberries and apples at peak ripeness for bursting flavor and optimal cake moisture.
• Soften Ingredient Magic: Allow eggs and butter to relax at room temperature, ensuring smooth blending and even cake consistency.
• Dodge Bitter Zest Trap: Carefully scrape only the bright orange outer layer, steering clear of the white, bitter pith underneath.
• Temperature Control Trick: Preheat oven precisely to guarantee even baking and golden, tender cake perfection.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

• Whole Cake Preservation: Seal the completely cooled cake in an airtight glass container to lock in moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerator items. This method keeps the cake's texture and taste intact for maximum enjoyment.
• Individual Slice Strategy: Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Separating slices allows for easy grab-and-go portions without compromising the entire cake's integrity.
• Defrosting Technique: Transfer frozen cake from freezer to refrigerator 24 hours before serving. Let it gradually thaw at a cool temperature, which helps maintain the cake's delicate crumb structure and prevents moisture loss.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake

• Pear Pomegranate Variation: Swap apples and cranberries with diced pears and pomegranate seeds. Keep the orange zest and juice for a bright, festive flavor profile that celebrates winter fruits.
• Gluten-Free Berry Medley: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend. Use a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries instead of apples and cranberries for a colorful, tender cake.
• Spiced Autumn Harvest: Add ground nutmeg and ginger to the fruit mixture. Include chopped walnuts or pecans in the batter for extra crunch and deep, warm seasonal undertones that complement the fruit's natural sweetness.
• Rustic Citrus Almond Cake: Incorporate almond extract with the vanilla. Top the cake with sliced almonds before baking and use blood orange zest and juice for a more complex, sophisticated citrus note.

Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake: A Tart and Sweet Celebration

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s apple cranberry cake, blending seasonal ingredients into a rustic masterpiece.

Cranberries and apples dance together, creating harmonious flavor profiles that celebrate autumn’s rich palette.

Kitchen enthusiasts will find this recipe surprisingly straightforward yet remarkably delicious.

Subtle orange zest whispers complexity through each tender bite, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Warm spices like cinnamon weave comforting notes throughout the delectable dessert.

Passionate bakers who crave a charming seasonal treat: share this recipe, spread delightful inspiration across social networks, and let your culinary creativity shine bright!

What Makes Ina Garten’s Apple Cranberry Cake a Perfect Fall Dessert

• Bursting with Seasonal Flavors: This apple cranberry cake combines the perfect balance of tart cranberries and sweet apples, creating a vibrant taste explosion that captures the essence of autumn in every single bite.
• Incredibly Simple Baking Method: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it accessible for home bakers of all levels. With straightforward mixing and one-pan baking, you'll create a stunning dessert without complicated techniques or professional equipment.
• Versatile Comfort Dessert: Enjoy this cake warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert, or serve it alongside morning coffee as a delightful breakfast treat. Its adaptable nature means you can savor it during cozy family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or quiet weekend afternoons.
• Nutritious Fruit-Packed Delight: Packed with fresh fruits like apples and cranberries, this cake offers natural sweetness and a boost of antioxidants. The combination of fruits provides a healthier alternative to traditional sugar-heavy desserts while delivering incredible depth of flavor.

Ina Garten Apple Cranberry Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s apple cranberry cake delivers a perfect harmony of seasonal flavors. Warm spices and juicy fruits combine in this comforting dessert that makes sweet memories and delights guests with each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries, rinsed and stems removed
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 extra-large eggs, room temperature

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Baking and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ¼ pound (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1–1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sour cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the upcoming dessert.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, toss together cranberries, diced apple, brown sugar, freshly grated orange zest, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Blend thoroughly, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop a rich, aromatic mixture.
3. Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip eggs for 2 minutes at medium-high speed until they become light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate 1 cup of granulated sugar, cooled melted butter, pure vanilla extract, and sour cream, mixing until ingredients are just harmoniously combined.
4. Gently fold in all-purpose flour and salt at a low speed, ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter that maintains its delicate texture.
5. Transfer the vibrant fruit mixture to a 10-inch glass pie plate, distributing it evenly across the bottom to create a colorful foundation.
6. Carefully pour the cake batter over the fruit layer, completely covering the fruity base with a uniform blanket of sweet, creamy mixture.
7. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon, sprinkling this aromatic mixture delicately across the top of the batter.
8. Place the pie plate in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and listening for the subtle bubbling of fruit at the cake’s edges.
9. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge clean, indicating the cake is perfectly baked.
10. Allow the cake to cool slightly, then slice and serve with a luxurious dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, transforming this rustic dessert into an indulgent experience.

Notes

• Cooling the cake allows fruit juices to set, ensuring cleaner and more defined slices when serving.
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream transforms this cake into an indulgent dessert experience with complementary creamy textures.
• Versatility shines through as this cake effortlessly transitions from breakfast to after-dinner treat, making it a crowd-pleasing option.
• Cinnamon sugar topping creates a delectable caramelized crust, adding irresistible crunch and depth to each bite.
• Thoroughly beating eggs guarantees a light, ethereal texture that makes the cake melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 240 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg