Goodbye Mrs. Smith: Last Minute Cranberry Cake


So, it's 2 days before turkey day and you haven't bought those Mrs. Smiths' pies yet? What are you waiting for? (why do people think they are baking a homemade pie, when they are heating up a frozen Mrs. Smiths's?????).

You can make this cake while having your a.m. coffee (like I did), it's so easy, and stick it in the freezer and you will have the most delicious, impressive, festive cake going, or make it Wednesday night for Thursday's festivities.

It's that easy.

I made 2, one for Thursday and one for Christmas. I plan on slicing into wedges and serving on my dessert tray along w/ my Swedish Apple Pie and Walnut Torte.

This is for the non-bakers out there, there is nothing fancy, no frosting, no egg white whipping, just a plain 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 stick butter, my kind of cake.

I think it's the 2 dashes of almond extract that makes this cake amazing, because I can't figure out why everyone loves this, heck, I don't even like cranberries.


The Silliest, Easiest, Cranberry Cake.....make in your sleep. (adapted from Lottie & Doof):

1 cup sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup), softened
1 tsp almond extract
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1 cup of fresh cranberries
2 tbsp sugar for topping

Mix the butter and sugar with the almond extract and eggs.

Mix in the dry ingredients.

Grease a 9" springform or 9" tart pan w/ removeable bottom and spread batter in pan.


Press the fresh cranberries into the top and sprinkle w/ the 2 tabelspoons of sugar.

Bake in a 350F oven for 35 minutes. Let cool in pan before unmolding.


Delicious!

See ya' Mrs. Smith.

Pin It

Comments

Kathy Walker said…
What could be easier? Sounds delicious. I do believe that I have enough time to mix this right up. Thanks!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - This is a really easy and delicious dessert that takes no time at all to whip up. I have a similar recipe - cranberry squares - that I like to make when the kids are home - especially around the holidays. The almond extract makes it special.
Anonymous said…
DEFINITELY the almond extract, that heavenly elixir!
Natalia said…
This looks amazing! I'm already all set for Thanksgiving desserts (for this year), but plan on baking this for Christmas - we head to my aunt/uncle's house & they have a ton of people, so this will definitely be a hit. Looks pretty too! Happy Thanksgiving Stacey.
Anonymous said…
There is NO reason not to make this cake (does that make sense?). This is definitely on my to-do list.
Bernardine
Jackie said…
I made this cake last night, and we had to sneak a taste.
It was so good, half of it is gone.
It was supposed to be for tomorrow!

What am I going to do now?
Please help!
Maggie said…
I'm going to try it this weekend when I get home from my cousins' wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, with no leftovers. It sounds like a wonderful remembrance of Thanksgiving with very little effort.
Reminds me a bit of your grape cake....I love cranberries so this is a must try
AdriBarr said…
This looks wonderful. I love cakes like this - simple and unfussy, but tasty. Also your title "Goodbye Mrs Smith's...." made me laugh! Have a great holiday!
I made this today for breakfast - the day after Thanksgiving! It made me very happy....
Nora said…
I made 2 of these cakes, and not a crumb left!
So easy and simple to make, even for me, who is not a baker.

Thank you for all your recipes!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Catherine said…
I made a double batch and made some cupcakes as well as a cake. Lovely bursts of tart cranberries.