This Cranberry Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake shouts out fall. My love of cranberries is known to those that follow the blog. I can hardly wait until they appear in the market.
While this is an easily made coffee cake, the one thing that makes it stand out when mixing is how the batter becomes very, very cold and stiff after the frozen cranberries are added. Continue reading
I found a version of this Reine de Saba Cake going through my very old files, ostensively to clean them out. It’s funny how many never make it to the waste can. It was called an ice cream cake, but the filling isn’t really ice cream. By whatever name, it’s very, very good….and easy! Continue reading
A word of explanation. This is part of a recipe that is to be posted later. I was putting this part in the new technique section I am building which is meant as a reference and not to be published on it’s own. It wasn’t to go out so obviously my lack of technical ability popped up again.
The Reine de Saba Cake mentioned at the end of this post is a marvelous cake and really easy since it is frozen. I will move the publication date up to Monday.
The Candied Cranberries are wonderful this time of year. They are my favorite fruit and I use them many ways. These are great as a dessert sauce, especially good with chocolate. Also great on ice cream.
12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries
1/2 cup water
1 3/4 cup sugar (350 grams)
Place the cranberries in a rimmed baking sheet and pick over the cranberries. Discard any that aren’t plump and perfect.
Prepare a steamer by placing a rack on the bottom of a pot or pan into which the bowl of the cranberries will fit. I use an 11” wide by 3“ deep braising pan with straight sides and a lid. I put a cake cooling rack on the bottom and set a 9” round cake pan with the cranberries in it on the rack.
Bring the water and sugar to a full boil. Wash the sides of the pan down with cold water.
Pour it over the cranberries. 
Weight the cranberries down with a plate or two to keep them submerged below the sugar syrup. 
Add water to the bottom pan just below the cranberries. Cover the pan. 
Bring the water to a simmer and keep it at a low simmer for 15 minutes. Do not let the water boil as the berries may pop and you want to keep them as whole as possible.
Remove the pan from the heat. Remove the plate with a pair of tongs.
Leave the candied cranberries in the uncovered pan to cool completely.
If making these in advance, store the cranberries in the syrup in the refrigerator.
If the syrup is too thin to glaze the cranberries, pour the syrup into a small saucepan. Make sure you pour off all of the syrup. Bring it to a boil and cook to a temperature of 220°F. Cool completely. I usually do this a day or two ahead of serving. Pour the syrup over the cranberries and stir gently to coat them. Refrigerate. Serve the candied crnberries at room temperature.
See Reine de Saba Cake with Candied Cranberries.
Cranberry Linzer Tart with its bright deep red, vibrant, cranberry filling is a variation of the Viennese Linzer Tart with raspberry filling. The spiced Linzer pastry is a perfect partner with the cranberries. It is best made ahead so the flavors can blend making this a natural for the holiday season. It can also be baked and frozen until needed.
Often pastry crusts are simply carriers for whatever it holds, Linzer tart pastry is as important as the filling. There are several ways to get the lattice top on the tart, the one used is quick and easy. Continue reading
I hope your cookie baking is just about finished and you can turn your attention to other things. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is think about on a holiday is making a big breakfast. What if this Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread is stashed in the freezer waiting to add to the festive feeling? Continue reading
