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4.8 from 372 votes

Cranberry Coffee Cake with Warm Vanilla Sauce

This delightful recipe is easy to follow and perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 15 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cake:
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups fresh cranberries (see note)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup Chopped Pecans
Warm Vanilla Sauce:
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray (I use metal for more even baking; if using a glass pan, turn the oven down to 325 degrees F). You can also line the pan with parchment paper, optional.
  2. For the cake: in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, egg, buttermilk, baking soda, salt and flour. Mix until no dry streaks remain and dough is mostly combined. Add the cranberries and stir with a rubber spatula until evenly combined into the batter.
  3. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar and pecans. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  4. For the sauce: combine the butter, cream and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Keep warm. (Or refrigerate and warm later when serving.)
  5. Cut the cake in pieces and drizzle with warm vanilla sauce. It's also very delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Cranberries: I haven't tried this recipe with frozen cranberries but I'm guessing it would work (don't thaw first). It will probably also transition really well to other fruits like blueberries or raspberries. The addition of a little fresh lemon zest in the batter would be delicious.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 piece Calories 422kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 58g (19%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Cholesterol 62mg (21%) Sodium 290mg (12%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 40g (80%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 piece
Calories 422kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 58g 19%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 290mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 40g 80%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.