Easy Chocolate Cranberry Cake

This Easy Chocolate Cranberry Cake is a festive, flavorful treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights. The cake is moist, chocolaty and fudgy, topped with a luscious blend of cream cheese and cranberry sauce.

The cake is made with simple ingredients that come together quickly, making it perfect for any occasion.

The highlight, however, is the homemade cranberry sauce, which is bursting with fresh cranberries, a hint of orange juice, and fragrant orange zest. The orange notes bring a delightful citrusy aroma that perfectly complements the tartness of the cranberries. 

The cranberry sauce adds a beautiful, deep red color that makes this cake stand out on any dessert table, giving it a show-stopping look with minimal effort.

This chocolate cranberry cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser,  as it beautifully combines rich chocolate, tangy cranberries, and creamy frosting, offering a unique twist on classic holiday flavors.

How to make chocolate cranberry cake

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan with butter and line it with parchment paper. Next, melt the semisweet chocolate and butter over a bain-marie until smooth, then set aside to cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, beat the eggs with sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Begin mixing on medium speed, gradually increasing to high until the mixture becomes thick, smooth, and a pale yellow color—this should take around 3 to 5 minutes. Then, pour in the cooled chocolate mixture and gently mix until fully combined. Gently fold in the sifted flour using a spatula.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set. Once baked, run a knife around the edge of the pan and allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a serving plate and let it cool completely.

How to prepare the cranberry sauce

For the cranberry sauce, add fresh o frozen cranberries, sugar, and freshly squeezed orange juice to a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to help dissolve the sugar and prevent sticking. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Add in the orange zest and stir gently to infuse the sauce with a bright, citrusy pop of flavor.

Remove from heat, then strain the sauce through a sieve to create a smooth, glossy consistency. Let the sauce cool completely before using it in the frosting.

How to prepare the cream cheese cranberry frosting

For the cream cheese cranberry frosting, begin by combining softened cream cheese with vanilla extract and honey in a mixing bowl. I used honey as it adds a subtle sweetness that balances the tanginess of the cream cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Gently swirl in the cooled cranberry sauce with just a few motions, leaving beautiful streaks for a marbled effect. This creates a visually stunning frosting without fully blending the cranberry sauce. Gently spread the frosting over the top of the cake, allowing some of the cranberry color to shine through.

Hope you will try it oit and treat yourself and your loved ones to this decadent dessert. If you do, make sure to share the photos with me on Instagram. Enjoy!

Other cranberry desserts you may like to try

This beautiful Triple Chocolate Cranberry Mousse Cake is an impressive layered cake perfect for holiday or any other occasion.

If you love tarts, try this amazing Cranberry White Chocolate Tart. It is an elegant dessert with a buttery almond crust, white chocolate crunch, cranberry-orange layer, and smooth white chocolate ganache.

This White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Layer Cake is a delicate, festive dessert, infused with orange and cranberry flavors—perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations.

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