Ina's Easy Cranberry Apple Cake

If you don't have Ina's new book, How Easy Is That?, there is still time to add it to your Christmas list. Whenever I buy one of her cookbooks I have full confidence that I will like most, if not all, of the recipes it contains, and this new book is no exception.  The recipes are what the title states, EASY, and ingredient lists don't go on for pages, but every one is company worthy. I will probably never prepare her foie gras with roasted apples but know that her roasted shrimp salad and lemon chicken breasts will be menu regulars in my house from now on.  If you like cranberries you will love this recipe. Syrupy juices bubble up through the cake as it bakes and the flavors of apples, oranges and berries are pure holiday. I hope you enjoy it.

Easy Cranberry Apple Cake from How Easy is That by Ina Garten

12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon orange zest (2 oranges)

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1-1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, divided

2 extra large eggs, room temperature

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1/4 cup sour cream

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl.  Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.  With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar, the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined.  On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch pie plate.  Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely.  Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.  Bake for 55-60 minuted, until a tooth-pick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.  Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

I'm joining in Foodie Friday festivities this week at Designs by Gollum.  I hope you will stop by.