If you’re looking for a show-stopping Thanksgiving or Christmas Day brunch item, look no further! This Cranberry Walnut Crumb Cake can be made in advance and offers a tender, moist cake with juicy cranberries and crunchy walnut streusel.
I cannot even believe that Thanksgiving is next week!
How did this happen? Wasn’t my birthday (January 24) a few weeks ago? I could have sworn I was just in Portland a week or so ago (April). And now red and green everything is being shoved in my face and I’m already hearing Taylor Swift renditions of Christmas carols. WAIT UP, WORLD. I’M STILL IN EARLY 2016.
So, I suppose this begs the question: What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Every year, I beg and kick and scream to make Thanksgiving dinner because there’s something so lovely and Norman Rockwell-y about tying on an apron, chopping veggies for stuffing and basting a glorious bird all day long. Also, I’m a control freak and like to be in charge of how things are prepared. #bossy
But every year, my grandma also kicks and screams about making Thanksgiving dinner, and since she’s a grandma and has seen like, wars and stuff, I usually let her cook the dinner but insist on bringing sides… Coincidentally, all the sides I like to eat. But as usual, she always persists that she wants to make all of it but I draw the line at desserts. My grandma – bless her – is NOT a baker by any means, and ahem, I kinda sorta have a best-selling cookbook about DESSERT so it’s kinda mandatory that I bring dessert.
Even though she still buys a frozen pie. *facepalm* Where’s the wine?
So this year, as usual, I am delegated with the task of making desserts. And of course, since I am a control freak/the world’s most indecisive person, I will make no less than 4 different pies, and probably cookies, brownies/bars, and/or a cake. Because I like having options, okay!?
But since I also don’t have any other kitchen tasks and can make all my desserts ahead of time, I’m going to surprise my family (well, unless they read this) with this Cranberry Walnut Crumb Cake again.
This cake is based off of my Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake (which you absolutely NEED to make!) but made with bright, zippy cranberries and crunchy walnuts in the inch-thick brown sugar streusel, then topped with a light orange glaze.
It only looks complicated because it’s kinda sorta gorgeous. But I assure you, this couldn’t be simpler: you literally let the pan do the work for you! And the star of the show today is the springform pan. It’s essential for this recipe, but if you don’t have one, a tall-sided 9″ round cake pan should work.
Now get to feasting!
***UPDATE: Some folks are having issues with the cake baking fully. I updated the recipe (12/2017) and reformulated the crumb topping by halving the original recipe. I apologize for everyone who previously had issues with this cake! To help with the issue of the cake being underdone in the center, I also increased the baking time. Some tips: make sure you’re using a 9″ or 10″ round springform pan (nothing smaller), test your oven to make sure it is properly calibrated, and make sure your leavening ingredients (baking soda and baking powder) are fresh.***
Cranberry Walnut Crumb Cake
Ingredients
- FOR CRUMB:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1ÂĽ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick butter) melted
- 1 cup walnuts roughly chopped
- FOR CAKE:
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1ÂĽ tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- FOR GLAZE:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 9" round sprinform pan with cooking spray. Place a 9" parchment round in the bottom of the pan, then grease the parchment. Set aside.
- For the cake batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract and sour cream; beat well. Lastly, add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined. Fold in the cranberries. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set aside.
- To make the streusel/crumb: In a large bowl, toss together the crumb ingredients until moistened and large crumbs form. Liberally drop crumb mixture over the cake batter, covering it completely. There will seem like a LOT of crumb, but use all of it!
- Bake for approx. 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist, not wet, crumbs. Cool completely.
- Just before serving, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over the cake, then release the cake from the pan and cut into slices.
Juicy, bright cranberries. Crunchy, buttery walnut streusel. Is there anything better?!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
cakeSpy says
I freaking love cranberry in baked goods – it adds such a pleasing contrast. Love this cake!
Karen says
That looks fantastic! Would be so perfect for brunch too.
Stephanie says
Hi Hayley!
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was the best dessert I have ever eaten or made and every single person that tried it is totally in awe and in love with it!!! Following your directions was a breeze and everything about it was ridiculously amazing! ! This would make the best gift to bring to a dinner anytime, but especially the holidays!! I was nervous because I’d never cooked with fresh cranberries, and wow was it delicious! (Now can it be 100% calorie-free? Because I’d eat it every day!!) Thanks for sharing such and awesome recipe!!
-Stephanie
thedomesticrebel says
Stephanie, I am SO happy to see this comment! So glad it was a success for you. This cake is SO wonderful, I agree! If you didn’t know, I also (originally) made it with apple cinnamon flavors… ALSO AMAZING! xoxo!
Donna says
This looks heavenly. I froze some cranberries at Thanksgiving. ..could I use those?
thedomesticrebel says
Donna, yes!
Diane says
Made this for Easter and I used frozen cranberries and it turned out delicious. those reading this just don’t unthaw cranberries, fold them frozen into batter.
thedomesticrebel says
Diane, awesome! So glad you enjoyed!
Penny Barry says
I made this cake during the holidays. Everyone loved it. My daughter is requesting this cake for her rehearsal dinner this Friday. I can’t find the cranberries, not even frozen so I will have to go with some new ones I just found in small cartons that are sweetened a bit. I also add orange zest to the cake because she loves the orange flavor with the cranberries. Thank you for such a delicious cake!
I will be trying your apple version for the first time too. My husband LOVES apples!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Penny! Yeah, unfortunately I’m not sure where you can find fresh cranberries nowadays since it isn’t the holiday season! I also have a Lemon Almond Crumb Cake version which is FABULOUS if she loves that burst of citrus!
Penny Barry says
I just wanted to let you know that my family loved the original version with the full recipe of topping. That is what made them love it. I will continue to do it that way. Found the cranberries for the first time this season, at Walmart and this cake was what I was waiting for them for. I will leave a small center circle of non crumb in the center of the cake so that I can check it with a toothpick. Thanks again for my family’s favorite fall recipe!!!
Danielle says
Can we have the recipes for the Lemon almond and apple cinnamon pleaseeeee(:
Lisa says
I plan to make this Saturday for a Sunday brunch. Lol…or whenever this mama decides to get out of bed. I have frozen berries that need to be used. It states to cool completely and to release from the pan after the glaze goes on. Would it be fine to leave the cake overnight in the pan? Wrapped on top of course once completely cooled.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Lisa, yes that’d work!
Joan Staszak says
Do you cook the whole cranberries first?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Joan, nope! Toss in the raw cranberries.
Karen Rosenberg says
I made this cake two times in three days. The first one I baked for over 60 minutes and was totally raw in middle. I checked oven temp and it was properly calibrated. I looked at your other similar recipes and saw you had 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, which was not listed in the Cranberry Walnut Crumb Cake. I made second cake and added the baking soda. I had to bake it for almost 90 minutes before toothpick came out dry. This cake was perfect and delicious.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Karen! So strange that your baking time varied so much from mine! And you are right – this should have baking soda in it, too. My mistake! That’s what I get for writing late at night 🙂 Adding it now. Glad you enjoyed the cake!
Brienne says
Hi Karen,
I used this recipe a couple of days ago and I had the same issue – I DID use baking soda and it took around 90 minutes to bake. I ended up scraping a lot of the walnut topping off the cake to assist with the baking process. The recipe says that the topping will look like a lot but to add all of it. In my experience, it looks like too much and IS too much!
The final product was delicious, but the longer than suggested baking time and too much topping that i had to remove made me very nervous throughout the process and had me second guessing the recipe.
Also, for the glaze, I doubled the amount of orange juice to add a bit more flavour and make it a bit thinner – it was perfect. I will definitely use this recipe again, but with a few of the teaks I implemented during my first attempt (less topping, more orange juice in glaze, be prepared for a longer baking time).
P.s.; The Domestic Rebel – please note that you have baking soda written in the ingredients list, but not in the instructions 🙂
thedomesticrebel says
Hi there! I fixed the baking soda – thanks for telling me! I am sorry the recipe as written gave you issues. I have made numerous iterations of this cake and have never had an issue. I’ll look into the recipe this weekend to see if I need to update it. In the meantime, I did update the baking time.
Judy says
Can I make this cake ahead of time and freeze it?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Judy, I haven’t tried that personally but it should work! Let me know when you try it.
Eliza says
I made this tonight and followed exactly as written. I baked for 60 min. checked it and the toothpick was a little sticky so I baked another 10 min. Toothpick looked the same and I second guessed it thinking the crumb topping was affecting it (surely 70 minutes was plenty for a cake…). I let it cool completely but when I started slicing it I knew something was wrong. It was completely raw in the middle and even oozed out when I sliced it. The whole cake fell apart and made a huge mess on my counter (I took a picture but I can’t put it here in my comment).
I served my kids the cooked 1″ around the edges and what we did have tasted really, really good. I am so incredibly sad this didn’t turn out and I honestly don’t know what I could do differently other than baking it for 2 full hours. I am a 30-years experienced baker and have never had any recipe be a complete failure such as this was. So sad.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Eliza! So sorry this recipe didn’t work for you! I’m trying to figure out what the problem could have been, and I’m wondering if your oven is not calibrated properly? Sounds like it isn’t heating up enough.
Eliza says
I bake all the time (nearly daily) with no issues so I doubt it was my oven. I am going to half the recipe and try again. If the same thing happens again there must be something amiss in the recipe. I saw another lady had a similar problem.
Eliza says
Well, I tried this recipe again today and was exact in everything called for. I put a thermometer in the oven and checked frequently and it did stay at 350 for the entire bake. I used a nice quality Pampered Chef springform pan. It took 80 minutes for the cake to finally be done (I dug a small hole each time and checked with a spoon, a toothpick just wasn’t accurate), sadly by the time the cake was done the topping was way over done and ended up being super hard after it cooled making it difficult to cut. There must be something wrong with the recipe, a missing ingredient perhaps? The batter is WAY thicker than any other cake I’ve ever made over the years. I don’t know… Anyway, I feel I gave it a fair chance and I will not attempt this cake again. Plus, it never looked near as gorgeous and enticing as the photo found here on your blog. What a disappointment.
Brienne says
Yup – I had the exact same issues – but I persevered and kept baking it to completion (90 minutes) and scraped off half the topping to assist the cooking process.
Rose Simard says
i found the 1 hour cook time not enough, my cake was very doughy, definitly not cooked at all. so disappointed, because it looks amazing. (i used a 9″ springform pan, followed your directions). I’ve read Eliza’s comment above and her cake sounded just like mine —–
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Rose, that’s so interesting – I have made this cake several times and it has never proven to be a problem. Will remake this weekend and update instructions if needed.
Lin says
I tried a springform pan with the hole in the middle. An hour and ten minutes did it for my cake. Delicious! The third one I have made in two weeks–giving some away each time!! Only used 1/2 the crumb topping and added another1/4-1/2 teaspoon of OJ to glaze because I like it to be thinner. My husband loves this cake.
Rose Simard says
Iam wondering if the topping was way too much and too heavy for the cake to rise.
Eliza says
That’s what my husband and I think. The first time I made it the topping was clear to the top of my pan and even mounded in the middle. Mr. Man thinks that super thick crumb insulated the cake and kept it from baking properly.
Kris says
I’m a lttle reluctant to try after reading the other comments. If I did, I would try a bundt pan.
thedomesticrebel says
Kris, that’s a good idea!
FearlessInTheKitchen says
I have this cake in the oven right now and things are not going well. I wish I had read the comments before I started baking….. I usually do but I was looking for something to do with some left over fresh cranberries and the recipe looked soooooo good…. I just jumped right in.
The problem is the bake time. I used a 10″ pan, followed the directions exactly, set my timer for 70 minutes and it was raw in the middle. I’m sure my oven temp is good (I keep an oven thermometer in there all the time). I think others are right and it is the amount of crumb that is the problem. I also think that the size of the walnut pieces might contribute to the under-baking. If you use a rough chop vs a finer chop the crumb will not create a solidly packed topping. I used a fine chop… sigh.
I put the cake back in for 20 more minutes but it still isn’t done. Right now my crumb is way too brown and the cake is still not cooked. When I inserted a thermometer I read about 170. Cakes should be about 210 when done. I’m going to lower the temp & tent the top to see if I can get it done without burning.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi there! I am so sorry you had some issues with the cake – I went ahead and re-baked this and reformulated it with a smaller crumb quantity… going to update the recipe now! Thanks for your feedback, and I hope it turns out!
april kudrna says
I made this cake and substituted pillsbury gluten free flour blend, added an extra egg, and an extra 1/4 cup vanilla greek yogurt. I baked it at 325 for exactly 60 minutes. It looks just like the picture. Did the tooth pick test and were just a few crumbs, which is what you want when cooking gluten free. I also baked 2 regular ones at 325 for 60 minutes, then turned the oven off, cracked the door half open, and left in the oven for 15 minutes. Did the tooth pick test again, and it was fine. I also added 1 small peeled and finely diced apple to each cake when I mixed in the cranberries. thanks for the great recipe
Lisa says
Can I use dried cranberries if I presoak them?
thedomesticrebel says
I don’t see why not!
Jody Z. says
I had to leave this in 90 minutes. Good but seems dryish and nuts developed a burned flavor from too much time in oven, even though I covered with foil during last 30 minutes.
Suggestions: Bake only in 10 inch springform pan – 9 is too deep for recipe to cook thoroughly without other issues
Cover with foil during last portion of baking.
Ice upon removal from oven to keep topping from being too hard – keeps softened and is very nice touch.
I only had a clementine so used juice and peel for icing – really nice!!
Dané says
I just cooked this recipe, and I had no issues at all. It turned out moist in the center with a light crunch on the outside from the walnuts and crumb. It is absolutely delicious and the perfect way to use leftover cranberries. It’s also a beautiful cake, so it would be perfect to take somewhere and look like a rockstar baker.
Marilyn says
It is December 2018 and I would love to make this for Christmas but there is just too many people complaining about the inability to make it bake properly and turn out as shown in the picture. If there has been some revelations that have been made to figure out the problems, please let me know. I would love to try but want it to work. Also, can you use dried cranberries? I have some very plump soft cranberries and feel they would be great also.
Joanna says
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
thedomesticrebel says
Yes you can!
Lynne says
I know I’m late to the party but I was craving cranberry and found this recipe. Followed current version exactly except I used my angel food cake pan. Came out perfectly. I only needed half the glaze though. Will definitely make this again. Both my husband and son loved it.
Daniela Corbosi says
Best cake ever!I did it three times in one week,always successful and never had an issue with it!thank you for sharing such a great recipe:)
Ally says
Can I adapt this recipe to bake in a 13 x 9 in pan? Would I need to double the recipe and how should I adjust the baking time? Also, would dried cranberries work instead of fresh if I can’t find them? Thank you.
Sharon says
I followed the directions exactly and it was done to perfection at 60 minutes. We absolutely love love love this cake! Thank you for the great recipe!