As much as we love banana bread and chocolate chip zucchini bread, they don’t interest us as much once we get to a certain part of the year. there’s something about using cranberries that feel festive, and the fact that they also add a yummy, sweet and tart tang to our cake is just a bonus!

This tea cake is perfect at any time of day, not just when you’re enjoying a cup of tea; for breakfast, with lunch, or after dinner, this is a not-too-sweet loaf cake that is simple to make, but not at all simple in flavor!

Cranberry Tea Cake
Yields 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups cranberries, roughly chopped (fresh or dried)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• powdered sugar, garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease 2 loaf pans.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt, and set aside.
In a large bowl or mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy. 4-5 minutes.
Beat in egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
Alternate between adding 1/3 cup of dry ingredients and 1-2 tablespoons buttermilk. Begin and end with flour mixture.
Gently fold in chopped cranberries and pour batter into loaf pans.
Place in oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool, then sift powdered sugar on top and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Kitchen Confidante