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Cranberry Swirl Coffee Cake

Photo Credit
Sam Jones/Quinn Brein
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
8 to 10 servings
Category
Cakes and Frostings
Quickbreads, Coffee Cakes
Course
Breakfast & Brunches
Desserts
Credit
Adapted from a recipe submitted Carol A. Norman Unitarian Ch
Sources
Yankee Magazine Church Suppers and Potluck Dinners Cookbook

Kids and adults both love this—be prepared for lots of requests for the recipe! Serve it with coffee, of course, but also as a snack or dessert. One family we know has happily settled on this as the centerpiece of their holiday breakfasts. If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, try using just half of the glaze recipe.

Cake

Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch tube pan.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs while beating on medium speed of a mixer. Add the sour cream and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and beat until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt and mix just until combined. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly distribute half the cranberry sauce by the spoonful around the pan. Spread the sauce over the batter with a knife. Pour in the remaining batter. Distribute the remaining cranberry sauce by the spoonful around the pan. Sprinkle with the nuts. Spread the sauce and nuts over the batter.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until a tester inserted in the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then invert onto the rack. Mix together the glaze ingredients (see below) and pour over the still-warm cake. Let cool completely.

Glaze

Ingredients
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<span>Deb O’stricker</span> Fri, 11/19/2021 - 18:21
I have made this coffee cake for Christmas morning, it’s always a big hit, absolutely delicious!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 12/22/2022 - 09:13

Hi, Deb. Thank you for your comment. We are so pleased that you enjoy this coffee cake!

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 12/15/2009 - 11:11
Reviews by Readers Average reader rating of 5 out of 5. 100% of readers would make this recipe again. Submit your own review. Best recipe, soooooooooooooo good! – Anonymous Review This recipe yields one delicious cranberry coffee cake. The almond flavor makes it just perfect! The frosting is sweet but complements the cake. Alone it might be too sweet. You can add more nuts if you love nuts! – Anonymous Review I love this recipe! My sister had this recipe years ago and misplaced it, so when I saw it again, I was thrilled. This is my favorite coffee cake. – Reviewed by Kathleen Jackson I've made this every year since it first appeared in Yankee. Always make a second cake a day or two later to use up rest of cranberry sauce and sour cream. Freezes well. Always gets good reviews in the office, and doesn't last long! – Reviewed by Lynda Durfee This coffee cake has been a favorite in our home for every holiday meal! I serve it warm right after getting it out of the pan and everyone always asks for the recipe. – Anonymous Review
<span>Carole S</span> Sat, 12/17/2022 - 18:10
Is it ok to use fresh cranberry sauce instead of canned?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 12/22/2022 - 09:15

Hi, Carole. As long as you are using sauce with chunks of cranberries in it, yes!