A soft, vanilla cake, loaded with cranberries topped with warm caramel sauce — an impressive holiday dessert that is so much easier than it looks!
So I was flipping through one of my mom’s old Taste of Home magazines the other day when I came across this cranberry cake. I had made these Cranberry Caramel Bars so I already knew that the combination was going to be a good one, but it reminded me of a cake I’d had in my childhood. That thin, warm caramel syrup poured all over it…. that was the kicker for me.
It is just so good.
And it’s so much easier than it looks! Those are the best kinds of recipes, right? I am all about simple and few ingredients these days.
Where do you guys find recipe inspiration? I am kind of obsessed with cooking magazines and cookbooks, especially old ones with classic recipes that most people have forgotten about. I think it has something to do with the lack of technology…. as weird as that sounds for a food blogger! But I learned months ago that the only way I can really relax is to turn all screens off, so I just enjoy flipping through a Taste of Home and finding little gems like this one.
You can find the recipe over on Julie’s Eats and Treats where I’m sharing it today!
Hannah Marie says
I made this for company! We all thought that it was wonderful! It has a nice balance of sweet and tart and It is very colorful! Thank you for always having creative and tasty food.
Hannah Marie
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that Hannah! We really enjoyed it too!
Nita Sharda says
Nicely done – I also make a version of this yummy treat in my bundt pan for Christmas!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Nita! That’s such a great idea!
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
That cake is gorgeous! It looks like the perfect holiday dessert. I love flipping through cooking magazines too, so much more relaxing then the computer screen. I always prefer a real book too, I don’t think I’ll ever get on board with e-readers instead of a real book. Not as relaxing!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely! I hope they never get rid of paper books!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
This is the perfect thing for a fall or winter get together! I’ve been carting around a few cooking magazines for the past 5-6 years. I get so happy paging through them (especially a few Christmas cookie ones). The caramel sauce over top looks divine – going to check out the recipe now!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
When I saw the first picture in this post I immediately wanted to run to the kitchen and start baking – looks SO good!
Also, I had to smile because I just went to my parent’s house last week and “stole” all of my mom’s old magazines and cookbooks, haha! I love relaxing without a screen and just go through those amazing old recipes. I’m old-fashioned anyways, so perfect for me 😉
Ashley Fehr says
I am so totally the same way! Nowadays, anytime there’s a screen in my face isn’t really relaxing for me. Drooling over old cooking magazines = totally relaxing!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
It’s cranberry time! I love cranberries and I’m obsessed with the idea of complementing that tart flavor with the sweet caramel 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I just made a cranberry cheesecake crumb pie which is pretty good! This cake is on my holiday to do list! Like you, I like going through cooking magazines – I have boxes of them from years past and it’s fun to revisit them! I am always excited when a new issue of one is in the mailbox! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! I just love getting cooking magazines in the mail. It’s so rare to get really good mail these days, everything seems to come electronically. It’s nice to have a real magazine sometimes!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh Ashley! That is the prettiest cake ever! So much to love with all those beautiful berries and that caramel sauce too – I’m in love! Pinned!