Ready to be the holiday baking legend in your neighborhood? Imagine whisking batter, humming “Jingle Bells,” and unveiling a table of dazzling cranberry Christmas cakes. These ruby-red berries bring brightness, tang, and festive flair to every bite.
We’ve got 20 recipes that are keto-friendly, vegan, chocolate-rich, coconut-kissed, and more, each easy enough for beginners. There is no need to stress; we’ll keep it simple, fun, and flavorful, ensuring everyone leaves impressed and talking well into the New Year.
So, preheat your oven, turn up the holiday tunes, and start baking. Your cranberry-spiked showstoppers await. Let’s make this season extra sweet!
1. Cranberry Christmas Cake With Glaze
This cake is like your favorite Christmas carol in edible form—soft, sweet, and festive. The zesty cranberries shine through a moist crumb, while a silky glaze on top makes each bite feel like a hug in cake form.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (whole)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup whole milk
- Pinch of salt
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
How to Bake It:
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time.
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cranberries and lemon zest.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool, then combine powdered sugar and milk (or lemon juice) to form a thick glaze. Drizzle on top.
Baker’s Tip: Want a tangy twist? Use lemon juice in the glaze. It’s like giving your cake a citrusy Christmas kiss.
Serving Idea: Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or serve it as a Christmas dessert. This cake never misses a moment to shine.
2. Keto Cranberry Christmas Cake
Need to keep it low-carb? No problem! This keto cranberry cake lets you indulge without feeling like you’ve eaten Santa’s entire cookie plate. It’s moist, lightly sweet, and cranberry-studded—like a holiday miracle in loaf form.
Ingredients (8×8-inch pan):
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup erythritol (or preferred keto sweetener)
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake It:
- Cream butter and erythritol.
- Add eggs, vanilla, almond milk, and almond flour with baking powder and salt.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
Pro Tip: Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra holiday flavor. Slice it up and enjoy it guilt-free!
3. Christmas Cranberry Breakfast Cake
Who says cake is only for dessert? This lightly sweet, fluffy breakfast cake with cranberries brings holiday cheer as soon as you open your eyes. It’s a warm, edible alarm clock that says, “Get up, Christmas is coming!”
Ingredients (9×9-inch pan):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake It:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, then dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
A pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or a spoonful of jam. Perfect with coffee while you watch the Christmas lights twinkle.
4. Cranberry Christmas Cake With Butter Sauce
Ready for a dessert that answers the question, “Can I swim in this sauce?” A rich butter sauce poured over a tender cranberry cake makes each bite buttery, sweet, and impossible to resist.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Bake & Sauce:
- Mix cake ingredients, fold in cranberries, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 35-40 minutes.
- Melt butter and brown sugar. Add cream and vanilla, stirring until smooth.
- Poke warm cake with a fork and pour sauce over top. Let it soak in.
Chef’s Note: This cake tastes even better after a few hours, once the butter sauce works its magic. Patience, my friend!
5. Cranberry Christmas Sheet Cake
Got a big holiday party? A sheet cake can handle it—like Santa’s sleigh with unlimited gift storage. This fluffy vanilla cake dotted with cranberries is your party hero.
Ingredients (13×9-inch pan):
- 3 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Frosting (Optional):
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar, and add eggs and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients and milk alternately.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Spread frosting after it cools.
Decorate with sugared cranberries or green sprinkles for an instant holiday wow factor.
6. Iced Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
Pound cake is like that wise, comforting grandparent who always has candy in their pocket. Add cranberries and sweet icing, and you’ve got a cake that makes you want to wear cozy socks and watch a marathon Christmas movie.
Ingredients (9×5-inch loaf pan):
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Pinch of salt
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Method:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, sour cream, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 50-60 minutes.
- Cool and drizzle with icing.
Serving Suggestion: Slice thickly, pair with a mug of cocoa, and relish the holiday spirit.
7. Cranberry Christmas Poke Cake
Bake a vanilla cake, poke holes, and fill it with cranberry sauce—voilà! Sweet, tart syrup runs through the cake like festive secret tunnels of flavor.
Ingredients (13×9-inch pan):
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (or homemade equivalent)
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1 cup whipped topping or frosting
How to Do It:
- Bake vanilla cake as directed.
- While warm, poke holes using a wooden spoon handle.
- Spread cranberry sauce over the top and let it seep in.
- Chill, top with whipped cream.
Decoration: Sprinkle chopped pistachios for red-green flair. It’s like a candy cane color scheme but tastier.
8. Vegan Cranberry Christmas Cake
Vegans deserve holiday treats, too! This cake uses no eggs or dairy but still tastes fantastic, like Santa making deliveries on a sleigh powered by kale (just kidding, but it’s that wholesome).
Ingredients (8-inch round cake):
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup plant-based milk (soy, almond, oat)
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make:
- Whisk dry ingredients, add liquid ingredients, and vinegar.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
Icing (Optional): Powdered sugar + plant-based milk = easy peasy drizzle.
Your Guests’ Reaction: “This is vegan?!” (as they scarf down a second slice).
9. Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake
Tangy Duo: Cranberry and orange: best friends who wrap their arms around your taste buds and sing “Fa la la!” The citrus brightness makes this cake taste like sunshine on a snowy morning.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange, plus 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, orange zest, juice, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes.
Extra Zing: Drizzle an orange glaze on top. It’s like an orange-flavored Santa hat on your cake.
10. Christmas Cranberry Loaf Cake
Easy & Shareable: Loaf cakes are perfect for slicing, wrapping, and gifting. This sweet, cranberry-studded loaf says, “Hi neighbor, welcome to the best part of your day!”
Ingredients (9×5-inch loaf):
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Do It:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, then flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes.
Wrap It Up: Tie a ribbon around the loaf, slip a note saying “Merry Christmas!” and watch faces light up.
11. Cranberry Christmas Cake Recipe (The Classic)
Sometimes, you need a straightforward cranberry cake—no bells and whistles, just old-school holiday comfort. This one hits that sweet spot.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Bake It:
- Cream butter and sugar, and add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients and milk.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
Why Classic? Because it never disappoints. Like that cozy sweater you wear every holiday.
12. Christmas Cranberry Pound Cake
Dense & Dreamy: Pound cake is rich, velvety, and comforting. Add cranberries, like slipping into a warm holiday blanket (with a fork).
Ingredients (9×5-inch loaf):
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar well.
- Add eggs, vanilla, then flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 50-60 minutes.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. Why not?
13. Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake
Chocolate is Santa, and cranberries are his reindeer. Together, they deliver holiday joy. This cake is fudgy, fruity, and as comforting as a mug of hot cocoa on a snowy day.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ½ cup butter or oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
Method:
- Mix butter/oil and sugar and add eggs.
- Add flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cranberries and chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
Taste Bomb: Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy top. Each bite is a mini winter wonderland.
14. Christmas Cranberry Bundt Cake
Bundt cakes look fancy without extra effort. This cranberry bundt cake comes out in a show-stopping shape, with guests asking: “When did you become a professional baker?”
Ingredients (10-cup bundt pan):
- 3 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar and add eggs and vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour, baking powder, and salt to sour cream.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes.
Finish With: A drizzle of icing or a dusting of powdered sugar. It’s Instagram-worthy—strike a pose!
15. Cranberry Almond Christmas Cake
Almond flavor plus tart cranberries = a cake that tastes classy. It’s like inviting a violinist to your holiday cake party sophisticated and delightful.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar and add eggs and almond extract.
- Add flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cranberries and top with sliced almonds.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
Serve With: A cup of coffee. Pretend you’re in a cozy chalet in the Alps.
16. Cranberry Coconut Cake
Feeling that winter chill? Add coconut to your cranberry cake, and imagine Santa sipping piña coladas on the beach. The coconut’s sweetness balances tart cranberries like a tropical holiday handshake.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter or oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter/oil and sugar and add eggs.
- Add flour, baking powder, salt, and coconut milk.
- Fold in cranberries and shredded coconut.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
17. Cranberry Layer Cake
Layer cakes say, “I’m here to impress.” With cranberry filling between soft cake layers and frosting all around, it’s a dessert tower with guests chanting your name.
Ingredients (Two 9-inch round layers):
- 3 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups cranberries
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- Pinch of salt
Cranberry Filling:
- 1 cup cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water (simmer until thickened)
Frosting:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Assembly:
- Bake two cake layers.
- Spread cranberry filling on one layer and top with the other.
- Frost all over.
- Decorate with sugared cranberries—fancy times ahead!
18. Cherry Christmas Cake
Cherry On Top: Switch it up from cranberries or mix them. Cherries bring sweetness. Cranberries bring tartness. It’s a red fruit party; your taste buds are VIP guests.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup cherries (pitted, fresh, or frozen)
- (Optional) ½ cup cranberries for a tart contrast
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar and add eggs.
- Add flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cherries (and cranberries if using).
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
Finish: Top with whipped cream. It’s a sweet break from the tart cranberry norm.
19. White Chocolate Cranberry Cake
White chocolate mellows cranberry tartness, creating a luxurious cake like your tongue wrapped in satin sheets.
Ingredients (9-inch round cake):
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
How to Bake:
- Cream butter and sugar and add eggs.
- Add flour, baking powder, salt, and milk.
- Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
Fancy Finish: Frost with white chocolate ganache. Serve with coffee, wear a monocle, and feel extra classy.
20. Cranberry Desserts Christmas (Assorted Ideas)
Beyond Cakes: Got leftover cranberries? Don’t let them sulk in the fridge. Use them in:
- Cranberry Bars with streusel topping
- Cranberry Cheesecake Bars with a gingersnap crust
- Cranberry Trifle layers of cake, custard, and whipped cream
- Cranberry Blondies for a chewy treat
- Cranberry Muffins for a morning smile
Tip: Mix and match. Turn leftover cake slices into trifles. Experiment. Become the cranberry wizard you were born to be.
Conclusion
Cranberries bring the “fa-la-la” to your baking routine. With these 20 cakes, you’ve got something for everyone: the dieters, the vegans, the chocolate fiends, the fancy folks, and the morning munchers.
They’re all waiting to turn your kitchen into a holiday bakery that smells so good Santa might skip the chimney and come straight to your oven.
No matter which recipe you choose, you’ll serve holiday cheer in the sweetest, fluffiest, most berry-tastic way possible. So whisk that batter, fold in those cranberries, and let your holiday spirit rise higher than your cake!
Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.
