This delicious cake recipe is one we use around the holidays, when fresh cranberries are in season. If you can't get fresh cranberries, frozen work just as well because they're frozen at the peak of the season. You can also stock up when the fresh ones are in the stores (usually on sale) and pop them in the freezer to have on hand for great recipes like this one!
Cranberry Morning Cake
Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 1/4 cups unbleached flour, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (pat dry with paper towels)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Confectioner's sugar for topping
Directions:
1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture.
4. Mix remaining flour with cranberries and nuts; fold into batter. Batter will be very thick.
5. Spoon batter into a greased 10 inch tube pan.
6. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
7. Let stand 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Cool on a wire rack, then sprinkle confectioner's sugar over the top of the cake.
Other Great Breakfast Ideas
After giving this cranberry morning cake a try, give these other ideas your consideration! Making the same old thing every morning for breakfast can get old. By making something different, you'll have a great, delicious start to your morning!
If you want to stick with the cranberry theme, why not make some cranberry muffins? Cranberry muffins are often associated with the elderly, but anyone of any age can enjoy them! They're nutritious and hearty, exactly what you want from your first meal of the day.
On the weekend, take the time to make something a little more elaborate. Stuffed French toast is a fantastic idea. The kids will love it, and so will you! This is a great one to have the kids help you with. Cooking with your children will give all of you memories that will last for a lifetime. You'll also get the chance to teach them important life skills.
Our final suggestion is a simple cinnamon coffee cake. Coffee cake doesn't contain any coffee. Rather, it is named as it is because it is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Coffee cake is a rich, sweet way to start a morning. Make one on the weekend, and divvy it up throughout the week.