This Chocolate Cake with Cranberry Buttercream is a super quick moist chocolate layer cake recipe made right in a saucepan! And the cranberry frosting is just about the best thing ever, don’t miss this amazing holiday dessert.
chocolate cake with cranberry buttercream is a game changer…
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that your friends and family haven’t had a million times before, this is it. As long as there have been delicious desserts, the chocolate layer cake has been the iconic symbol of a sweet treat, and for good reason ~ I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a great chocolate cake. And guess what? This particular rich chocolate cake is as easy as a box mix to throw together, all you need is a saucepan (yup, a saucepan) and a whisk.
chocolate and cranberry is an unexpectedly delicious combination
(I can’t even look at that bite shot…I’m obsessed with this cake.) This story of this dessert doesn’t end with the chocolate cake, it continues with a tart and tangy fresh cranberry frosting, which is uniquely delicious. This takes a couple of steps to make, but it’s easy, and you can break it up and do part ahead if you like.
ingredients for a chocolate cranberry cake
- chocolate
- fresh cranberries ~ you can use frozen as well.
- sugar, both granulated for the cake and confectioner’s for the frosting
- butter
- flour
- milk or half and half
- eggs
- cider vinegar
- baking soda, baking powder, salt
- cream of tartar
- vanilla extract
how to make cranberry buttercream frosting
It starts with a simple cranberry puree that gives this buttercream its vibrant color and flavor.
- Bring fresh cranberries (you can use frozen) sugar, and a splash of water to a boil on the stove, stirring occasionally until the cranberries start to burst and get soft and juicy.
- Puree the mixture in a Vitamix, or food processor, until completely smooth.
- Chill the cranberry puree. This can be done a day or two ahead.
- Whip soft butter, cooled puree, and confectioner’s sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the balloon attachment. Whip for several minutes until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.
- The frosting is soft and fluffy right after spreading onto the cake, but if you like it firmer, just chill the cake for a couple of hours before serving.
can you use frozen cranberries for the frosting?
- Yes, that’s fine. But don’t ask if you can use dried cranberries, you can’t 😉
how to store chocolate cake with cranberry buttercream
- This cake can stay at room temperature for a day or two, but I prefer it chilled so the frosting isn’t too soft.
can this cranberry cake be made ahead?
- Yes, you can bake the cake layers, let them cool, and wrap in plastic to keep in the refrigerator for up to two days ahead.
- The cranberry puree for the frosting can be made and chilled up to a week ahead of time.
can this cake be frozen?
- You can freeze the cooked layers, and then frost them after thawing.
Why is there vinegar in this chocolate cake recipe?
- Vinegar interacts with the baking soda in the recipe and creates a chemical reaction that leavens and lightens the cake.
- Don’t worry, you won’t taste it, but you’ll love the results.
- The technique originated during the lean times of the Depression when eggs weren’t readily available. Vinegar was used in their place to lift and lighten cakes. I’ve used the technique in my Best Ever Vegan Chocolate Cake, so I know it works.
with a cake this pretty show it off on a cake stand!
I like a cake stand that’s about 12 inches in diameter. That way it will accommodate most cakes and bundts with extra space all around.
You can go classic, like the one above, or a little bit more romantic like this one or this one. If you’re a rustic type, I love this wooden stand (this one too !) And by the way, who says your cake stand has to be round?
Chocolate Cake with Cranberry Buttercream
Equipment
- two 9-inch cake pans
- a high speed blender or food processor
Ingredients
cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 ounces dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half or whole milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
cranberry puree
- 3 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted (more if needed)
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup cranberry puree (directions below, you will not need all of it)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F Butter and flour two 9-inch nonstick cake pans. I like to put a round of parchment paper on the bottom of each one.
- Put the sugar, chocolate, butter, and the water in a medium to large saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat until it all melts together smoothly. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
- When the mixture has cooled slightly, whisk in the milk, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Whisk in the baking soda, powder, and salt. Then slowly whisk in the flour, making sure not to over mix…small lumps are fine.
- Pour the batter evenly into the two pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or just until done in the middle and a toothpick comes out without wet batter on it. Be careful not to over bake these cakes.
- Let cool for about 20 minutes, then turn the layers out onto a rack to cool completely before frosting.
for the buttercream
- Cook cranberries, sugar, and a splash of water in a saucepan on medium heat until the cranberries break down and into a thick, juicy mixture. This will only take about 5 minutes.
- Puree the cranberries in a high speed blender, preferably, or a food processor until perfectly smooth. Chill.
- Put the soft butter, sifted sugar, cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup of the cranberry puree (you will not need it all) into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the balloon attachment. Beat, scraping down the sides often, for about 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add more sifted sugar if you want a stiffer buttercream.
- Frost the cake, and then refrigerate until ready to serve. Keep chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
It’s the perfect cake. I make it once or sometimes twice during the holiday season. It’s the sole reason I always have a bag of frozen cranberries in the freezer. Everyone raves about this cake.
How much is “a splash” of water? Several reviewers have asked, but I don’t see a reply from you.
Just a tablespoon will work. It’s just to get the cranberries cooking.
How could I make the butter cream into Cherry flavored instead of cranberry!
You’d make a puree of cherries (canned or frozen is fine) just the same way. Would be delicious!
Along with Katharine’s question, I have black cocoa powder. How much would I use?
I would stick to the actual chocolate for this recipe.
How much purée does the recipe make? The exact amount or more?
I want to make this for Christmas and have a couple of questions. Can I use Black Cocoa for the cake and can I make the cranberry puree in advance and freeze? I just love the look and seasonality of this cake!
I would stick to actual chocolate for the cake, and yes, you can definitely freeze the puree in advance.