Cranberry Orange Cake: A festive slice of joy
CRANBERRY ORANGE CHRISTMAS CAKE
1. Dan Baker has served as the public address announcer for what Major League Baseball team since 1972?
2. What Pro Football Hall of Fame running back announced his retirement from the NFL via a fax letter to “The Wichita Eagle” newspaper in July 1999?
3. Name the American tennis player who won nine Grand Slam women’s singles titles in the 1950s and died of
As the holidays approach, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake wafting through the air. This sweet and tart treat is a crowd-pleaser, balancing the burst of fresh cranberries with a rich, buttery cake containing the perfect amount of sugar for a perfectly balanced flavor.
This recipe is a holiday must-have with my family. I usually make this cake at least twice. First is for dividing the batter into mini loaves for gifting. The second is a whole cake to devour shamelessly right out of the cake pan -- oops! -- I mean, to serve elegantly with coffee Christmas morning.
Fresh cranberries, a staple in my kitchen, can be easily frozen for year-round use. Toss them right in the freezer in the bag they came in, and you’ll have these ruby gems ready whenever the craving strikes.
Keep your eyes open for cranberries on clearance after the holidays. Last year I found fresh cranberries for 25 cents a bag. You can believe I stocked up and enjoyed them all year.
The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its simplicity, but also in its versatility. If your secret stockpile of cranberries runs out, you can also make this cake by swapping blueberries or frozen mixed berries for the cranberries.
In a departure from the norm, this recipe skips the baking soda or baking powder. Instead, the eggs take center stage, providing the leavening needed for the perfect rise.
You’ll see that this batter will resemble luxurious cookie dough. This thick concoction, a result of extended egg beating, requires a little extra effort but is the secret to the cake’s exquisite texture. Don’t skimp on beating time; let those eggs work their magic until the batter forms a ribbon off the beaters.
For an extra burst of flavor that sets this recipe apart from the rest, we’re adding orange zest to the mix and an orange icing drizzle to finish the cake. It elevates the cake, adding a citrusy note that complements the cranberries beautifully.
Diva Tip: The cold from frozen cranberries may thicken the batter, making it difficult to spread in the pan. Allowing the cranberries to thaw on the counter as you prepare the cake will make the stirring process a breeze. ovarian cancer at age 34 in 1969.
4. The Florida Tuskers, Hartford Colonials, Omaha Nighthawks and Virginia Destroyers were teams that competed in what pro football league that operated from 2009-2012?
Answers
1. The Philadelphia Phillies.
2. Barry Sanders.
3. Maureen Connolly.
4. The United Football League (UFL).
For the cake:
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup softened butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
Zest of one large orange
2 cups all-purpose flour
12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries 1 cup pecans, chopped, optional
For the orange icing:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a 9 by 13 pan; set aside.
Beat eggs with sugar until thickened, are doubled in size and lemon-colored (approximately 5-7 minutes). Add butter, vanilla and orange zest; mix for an additional two minutes. Stir in flour until just combined. Add cranberries and pecans, ensuring an even distribution.
Spread the batter in a buttered 9x13 pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely. Make the icing by stirring together the powdered sugar with juice from the orange we zested. Drizzle the cake with icing before cutting it into small slices. Serve alone, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Embrace the sweetness of the season with this Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake -- a delightful, cost-effective masterpiece that tastes even better the next day, if there’s any left. Enjoy the season, and may your kitchen be filled with the warmth of good food and great company!
***
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, partyplanning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@ divasonadime.com
Q: I was sorry to hear about the death of Ryan O’Neal. “Paper Moon” is one of my all-time favorite movies. How is his daughter Tatum doing? -- H.G.
A: Tatum O’Neal wrote in her 2004 autobiography, “A Paper Life,” that she and her father did not speak for two decades. According to Entertainment Weekly, they started to repair their relationship in the months before his longtime love, Farrah Fawcett, died after her cancer battle in 2009. The father and daughter duo, who starred in the classic film “Paper Moon,” reunited on-screen in 2011 for their own reality show, “Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals.”
Their bond continued to grow until his passing on Dec. 8 at the age of 82. In a statement to People magazine, Tatum stated that her dad “meant the world to me. ... I’ll miss him forever, and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms.”
***
Q: I know most of the new shows are starting later this season, but when is my favorite, “Station 19,” returning? -- K.L.
A: ”Station 19” is a spin-off of “Grey’s Anatomy,” one of the longest-lasting drama series ever, but unfortunately “Station’s” time is coming to an end, as ABC recently announced that the upcoming seventh season will be its last. The show boasts six cast members who have been there since the beginning -- Jaina Lee Ortiz (Andy), Jason George (Ben), Grey Damon (Jack), Barrett Doss (Vic), Jay Hayden (Travis) and Danielle Savre (Maya).
Due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood, which have fortunately ended, the fall TV season was pushed to 2024 and will air much fewer episodes. “Station 19” will premiere its final season on March 14 at 10 p.m. ET., the first of just 10 episodes.
***
Q: What happened to the show “Big Sky”? A friend told me it was canceled. This surprises me. I thought it was great and was looking forward to more. -- B.F.
A: ”Big Sky” was a very promising series created by David E. Kelley. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Kelley has created and/or produced many highly successful shows like “L.A. Law,” “Ally McBeal,” “The Practice,” “Big Little Lies” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” In between these notable hits have been some misses (“Big Shot” for one). “Big Sky,” however, probably sits somewhere in the middle. It lasted only three seasons, but with its beautiful scenery (set in Montana) and compelling storyline, it seemed to have the makings of a hit.
It starred Katheryn Winnick (“Vikings”), Kylie Bunbury (“Pitch”) and Dedee Pfeiffer (“Cybill”). Pfeiffer is actually the sister of Kelley’s wife, actress Michelle Pfeiffer. When the show wasn’t generating its desired ratings, the name of it was changed to “Big Sky: Deadly Trails,” and two stars were added to the cast -- Reba McEntire (“The Voice”) and Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”). Alas, it wasn’t enough, and the series was canceled back in May.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.