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As much as we love banana bread and chocolate chip zucchini bread, they don’t interest us as much once we get to a certain part of the year. there’s something about using cranberries that feels festive, and the fact that they also add a yummy, sweet and tart tang to our cake is just a bonus!

This tea cake is perfect at any time of day, not just when you’re enjoying a cup of tea; for breakfast, with lunch, or after dinner, this is a not-too-sweet loaf cake that is simple to make, but not at all simple in flavor!

Cranberry Tea Cake

Yields 2 loaves

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups cranberries, roughly chopped (fresh or dried)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • powdered sugar, garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease 2 loaf pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt, and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy. 4-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
  5. Alternate between adding 1/3 cup of dry ingredients and 1-2 tablespoons buttermilk. Begin and end with flour mixture.
  6. Gently fold in chopped cranberries and pour batter into loaf pans.
  7. Place in oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Let cool, then sift powdered sugar on top and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Kitchen Confidante