Nantucket Cranberry Cake

Recipe by PJ Hamel

Usually called Nantucket Cranberry Pie, this ubiquitous recipe appears everywhere online, with each site revealing some very slight variation: pan size, the amount of almond extract, whether or not to chop the berries or melt the butter... This version includes our own tweaks: the addition of vanilla extract; and a sprinkling of coarse sugar on top, for delightful crunch.

Prep
10 mins
Bake
40 to 45 mins
Total
50 mins
Yield
one 9" cake
Nantucket Cranberry Cake

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 10" pie plate or 9" square cake pan. Melt 1 tablespoon butter, and drizzle it into the bottom of the pan.

  2. Spread the chopped cranberries and nuts in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup sugar.

  3. In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, 3/4 cup melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and almond extract.

  4. Spread the thick batter over the cranberries and nuts in the pan, using a spatula or your wet fingers.

  5. Sprinkle coarse white sparkling sugar atop the batter.

  6. Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean of batter or crumbs.

  7. Remove the cake from the oven. Serve warm, or at room temperature; just as it is, or with whipped cream or ice cream.

Tips from our Bakers

  • If you're using frozen cranberries, either let them thaw a bit after chopping; or add a couple of minutes to the cake's baking time.