Imagine a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of the holidays in every single bite. This Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake is exactly that. It’s a beautifully rustic, incredibly moist, and wonderfully flavorful cake baked in a single cast-iron skillet. The top is adorned with a stunning mosaic of caramelized apples and tart cranberries, creating a dessert that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. If you’re looking for the ultimate centerpiece for your holiday table, you’ve found it.
We developed this Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake recipe to be straightforward and foolproof, ensuring even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results. The cake crumb is tender and buttery, perfectly balancing the sweet and tart fruit topping. It’s the kind of warm, comforting dessert that brings everyone together.
Why This Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another cake recipe; it’s an experience. Baking in a cast-iron skillet gives the cake an unbelievably delicious, slightly crispy edge while the center remains perfectly tender. The direct heat on the bottom caramelizes the fruit topping to perfection.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything is prepared and baked in a single skillet, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of the apples and brown sugar is cut by the bright, tart pop of fresh cranberries.
- Stunningly Rustic: It’s an effortlessly beautiful dessert that looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery, no complicated decorating required.
- Versatile Treat: Serve it warm from the oven for a holiday dessert, or enjoy a slice with your morning coffee.
The Key Ingredients for Your Skillet Cake
The magic of this Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake comes from simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this festive dessert to life.
For the Caramelized Fruit Topping:
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the rich base of the caramel sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes beautifully.
- Apples: Use a firm, crisp variety that holds its shape during baking.
- Fresh Cranberries: These little jewels provide a burst of tartness and stunning color.
For the Cake Batter:
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our tender cake.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Leavening agents that ensure a perfect rise.
- Spices: A warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt enhances the holiday flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Creamed with sugar, it creates a moist and tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the primary sweetness for the cake.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla elevates all the other flavors.
- Buttermilk: The secret to an incredibly moist and tender cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping dessert. We’ll start by creating the beautiful fruit base and then mix the simple, tender cake batter to pour over top.
Making the Caramelized Fruit Topping
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves, creating a bubbly caramel base. Remove the skillet from the heat. Arrange the sliced apples in a decorative pattern over the bottom of the skillet, then scatter the fresh cranberries evenly over the apples. For a similar festive dessert, check out this Stunning Upside-Down Orange Cake (coming soon).
Mixing the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix!
Assembling and Baking
Gently pour the prepared cake batter over the fruit in the skillet, spreading it evenly to the edges. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the skillet for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a large serving platter. If any fruit sticks to the skillet, simply scoop it out and place it back on the cake.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake
Want to ensure your skillet cake is absolutely flawless? Here are a few of our top tips gathered from years of baking experience.
- Choose the Right Apples: Firm-tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are perfect as they hold their shape and their tartness balances the sweet caramel.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in a tough, dense cake.
- Invert with Confidence: Place a large plate or cutting board over the skillet. Using oven mitts, confidently flip the entire skillet over. A quick, decisive flip is key!
- Serve Warm: This cake is at its absolute best when served warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. For another holiday treat, try these Pecan Tassies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it, covered, at room temperature. We recommend gently reheating individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving to restore its wonderful warmth.
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Do not thaw them before use; simply scatter them over the apples just as you would with fresh cranberries. They will release a bit more moisture, but the end result will still be delicious.
Store any leftover skillet cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are excellent choices. They hold their shape well during baking and their tartness provides a perfect balance to the sweet caramel topping.
While a cast-iron skillet gives the best results with crispy edges, you can use a 10-inch oven-safe skillet or a 9-inch round cake pan. If using a regular cake pan, melt the butter and sugar in a separate saucepan and pour it into the bottom of the pan before adding the fruit.
More Delicious Recipes to Explore
We hope you love this incredible Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake! It’s a true celebration of seasonal flavors and the joy of home baking. If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to explore some of our other festive favorites. For a savory option perfect for the holidays, try our Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches. Let us know how your cake turns out in the comments below, and don’t forget to share your beautiful creation with us on Pinterest!
Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake Recipe
Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake (The Perfect Holiday Dessert)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved and bubbly. Remove from heat.
- Arrange the sliced apples over the brown sugar mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle the fresh cranberries over the apples.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the 1/2 cup of softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the creamed butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Carefully spread the batter evenly over the fruit in the skillet.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it, then place a large serving plate over the skillet and invert the cake onto the plate.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
