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Elegant Layered Cranberry White Christmas Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 133 reviews

This Elegant Layered Cranberry White Christmas Cake combines a moist and fluffy white cake with tart homemade cranberry sauce and a rich, creamy cooked flour frosting. Perfect for festive occasions, the cake layers are delicately balanced with the smooth frosting and the tangy cranberry sauce, creating a stunning centerpiece dessert for your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Cranberry Sauce

  • 1 cup (240 mL) water
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)

White Cake

  • 2 ¾ cups (360 g) cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons (90 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120 mL) vegetable oil
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 5 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 g) full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 mL) whole milk, at room temperature
  • ½ tablespoon white vinegar

Cooked Flour Frosting

  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup (82 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (480 mL) whole milk
  • 2 cups (450 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries and cook until they burst and sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely before assembling the cake.
  2. Make the White Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream softened butter with vegetable oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add egg whites one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and the mixture of sour cream, whole milk, and white vinegar to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently until combined and smooth batter forms.
  4. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly into prepared round cake pans lined with parchment. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  5. Prepare the Cooked Flour Frosting: In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Gradually whisk in whole milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool completely, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.
  6. Cream the Butter and Combine: In a large bowl, beat softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add the cooled cooked flour mixture, beating until smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.
  7. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a layer of cranberry sauce over the cake. Top with a layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining layers, finishing with a layer of frosting on top and around the sides. Decorate as desired.
  8. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 1 hour to set the frosting and let flavors meld. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture and taste.

Notes

  • Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for smoother batter and frosting consistency.
  • Allow the frosting to cool completely before adding to butter to avoid melting.
  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries as per availability; frozen should be thawed before cooking.
  • Store the cake refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
  • This cake can be made a day ahead to allow flavors to blend beautifully.

Keywords: cranberry cake, white Christmas cake, holiday dessert, layered cake, cooked flour frosting, festive cake recipe

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/elegant-layered-cranberry-white-christmas-cake-recipe/