Hello all– We all know that people have definite opinions about fruit cake. My dad loved it. But the rest of us were not so sure.
So this cake is my compromise. It sort of looks fruit cake-esque. Little bits of dried cranberries and chocolate bits (I know, not a fruit!). And then, cream cheese frosting which nothing like a fruit cake. oh well.
And we ate it after Christmas Eve lunch with the grandparents– such a sweet time with them. There’s just one slice left on the kitchen counter. I’m pretty sure it will be someone’s midnight snack.
CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY “FRUIT CAKE”
Cake:
1 white cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup water
1 cup dried cranberries, chopped to bits*
1 cup mini chocolate chips**
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound box powdered sugar (3 3/4 cups)
1 tsp. vanila
2 to 3 tab. milk
Garnish:
1 cup cranberries
3 to 4 tab. sugar
greenery
Mix up the cake according to the directions on the package. Mine called for 3 eggs, 1/2 cup canola oil and 1 cup water. Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and mini chocolate chips. And scoop the batter into two 8″ or 9″ cake pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake the cake layers 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees until they ae lightly browned and are firm to the touch. Let the cake layers cool.
To make the frosting, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and if it seems a bit stiff still, add the 3rd tablespoon of milk. Frost the cake layers.
Put the cranberries and sugar into a small zip loc bag and shake until the berries are coated with sugar. Arrange them on the frosted cake with a bit of greenery ( I used bits of pine from the the back of the Christmas tree!) Enjoy!
*I like to mince the dried cranberries so they just give a touch of sweetness, but don’t seem gummy.
** Use mini chocolate chips– they won’t sink to the bottom of the cake like the standard chips do.
Sweet Jobay & Jodi– ending up our Christmas Eve lunch and ready to open gifts with the Great Grandparents.
very beautiful and appetizing 🙂
Happy Holiday Season !
Thanks –loved your delicious looking frittata recipe!
Beautiful!! ❤
thanks! Fun to find your personal blog…
Merry Christmas Rhonda!!!
Hey Nandini– so fun to hear from you– read through your bright & beautiful Jujbes recipe! they look delicious!
Thank You Rhonda. I apologize since I usually tend to miss your posts but that day I sure was very lucky to see it on my feeder first 🙂
Hi Nandini! so glad. Do you live in Lakewood?? (say address on your blog)– we’re in Brea– neighbors! xox
What a beautiful cake! And it sounds much better than the traditional fruit cake 🙂
Hi Daisy!! thanks. Just off our last kids today– so I’ll write tomorrow! Want to hear about your Christmas…
OMG this looks delicious! I bet it was so good Rhonda. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas celebration. ❤ So glad to know you and am very grateful for our connection and for your blog. Blessings and much love – Debbie
Thanks Debbie– how was your Christmas celebration?? Hope it was sweet.
You’re welcome Rhonda! I wrote something to you about that in response to one of your other blog posts. 🙂 Lots of love and happy New YOU! Love, Debbie
When are you creating your recipe book ? Yummy. 😍
Ha ha ha! Hi Brigid– this IS my recipe book. How was your Christmas?? Hope it was lovely. We just had our last kids leave today.
I had a lovely quiet Christmas and read a few books, walked on the beach after Storm Barbara left and enjoyed some lovely food with friends. Perfect.😊
It Does sound pretty perfect Brigid. Do you have book recommendations?? I’m always looking for something new.
I read quite a few but I think I enjoyed Tim Gurung’s Missionary or Mercenary most. It reminded me of Paulo Coelho. He writes in a very simple style.
I’ll put those on my library list Brigid! thanks. It’s just the best time of year to stay tucked in at home with a book.
Interesting cake 🙂 Will try if I manage to get the ingredients to Angola 😀
Hi Teresinha! Fun to find your blog– appreciate your goal to love people…
I made your lovely festive Christmas cake & loved every bite! So fab! xxx A great post, dear Rhonda! My first E-book is ready! You can read all about it here, dear friend! https://sophiesfoodiefiles.wordpress.com/2016/12/24/i-just-made-my-1st-e-book-called-healthy-vegan-christmas-subscribe-to-my-blog-to-get-it/
Hey Sophie–glad you liked it!! and congratulations on publishing your book!! so exciting!
Looks like another tasty recipe. I love how your sugar frosted cranberries look just like berries on a bush after a light dusting of snow–beautiful!
Hi Marcia! Yep, I think those berries are so pretty– but they don’t taste that good–really just for pretty, not for eating! Just read your two snow posts Marcia– beautifully done! So historic and just fun! Hope you had the best Christmas time– our last kids just left today… hugs!
Hi Rhonda – now here is a fruitcake I can get behind. I love the sugared cranberries on top – so festive. Is this really the last cake of 2016?? I am so glad you had a wonderful holiday. Ours was nice, just the four of us with my hubs smoking a brisket and me making the sides. Happy New Years to you, all the best for 2017. XO – Kat
Hey Kat– ha ha ha– yep, last cake! I am on a cake fast, at least for now. And– smoked brisket!! I’m a little jealous– sounds super. And what sides did you make to go with it?? Sounds like a dear time with your family. hugs hugs!
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Such a pretty and festive cake!