There’s a special magic that happens in a cast iron skillet. This Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake is the perfect example, transforming simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert. Imagine a tender, buttery cake topped with a gorgeous mosaic of caramelized apples and tart cranberries, all baked together in one pan. It’s the perfect rustic dessert for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a cozy weekend treat. We’re not just making a cake; we’re creating a warm, comforting experience that’s surprisingly easy to achieve.
This recipe delivers a moist, flavorful crumb that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy fruit topping. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to skillet desserts, this guide will walk you through every step for a flawless finish.
Why This Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake is a Must-Try
You’re going to fall in love with this recipe, and here’s why. It’s a true one-pan wonder, meaning the fruit is caramelized and the cake is baked in the exact same skillet, which saves you time and cleanup. The flavor is perfectly balanced; the tartness of the fresh cranberries cuts through the sweetness of the caramelized apples and the rich, buttery cake. Plus, its rustic presentation is effortlessly beautiful, making it look like it came straight from a gourmet bakery.
The Key Ingredients for Success
The beauty of this rustic cake lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the final, delicious product.
For the Caramelized Fruit Topping
- Unsalted Butter: This creates the base of the caramel sauce that coats the fruit.
- Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness that is essential for caramelization.
- Apples: Choose a firm, crisp variety that holds its shape during baking. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn are excellent choices.
- Fresh Cranberries: These little jewels provide a burst of tartness and beautiful color.
For the Tender Cake Batter
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our cake.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners work together to create a light and airy crumb.
- Spices: A warm blend of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg adds that quintessential fall flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, well-incorporated batter.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness. Room temperature eggs will mix more evenly into the batter.
- Buttermilk: The secret ingredient for a moist, tender cake. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda for a perfect rise.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the cake.
How to Make the Perfect Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake
Follow these simple steps to create a stunning and delicious dessert. The process is straightforward and rewarding, with most of the work happening right in your trusty skillet.
Step 1: Prepare the Skillet and Fruit Topping
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt the butter for the topping over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the butter. Let it cook for a minute until it starts to dissolve, then remove from the heat. Arrange the apple slices in a decorative pattern over the sugar mixture, then sprinkle the cranberries into the gaps.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract. Now, alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix!
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Gently spoon the cake batter over the fruit in the skillet, spreading it carefully to the edges to create an even layer. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Expert Tips for a Flawless Skillet Cake
A few simple tricks can take your Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake from good to absolutely perfect.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix the dry and wet ingredients until they are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense cake rather than a tender one.
- The Inversion Flip: Let the cake cool in the skillet for about 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows the caramel to set slightly but not harden completely. Place a large plate or cutting board over the skillet and, using oven mitts, confidently flip it over. A quick, decisive flip is key!
- Serving Suggestions: This cake is phenomenal on its own, but serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream takes it to another level. For an extra decadent touch, try one of our other amazing recipes like this Caramel Brownie Cheesecake.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to make it your own with these simple swaps.
- Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes! There’s no need to thaw them first. Just toss them in with the apples as directed.
- What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet? You can use a 9 or 10-inch oven-safe skillet or a round cake pan. If using a standard cake pan, melt the butter and sugar in a small saucepan, pour it into the bottom of the pan, and then proceed with the recipe.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to add other warm spices like cardamom, allspice, or a pinch of ground ginger to the batter for a more complex flavor profile.
Storing Your Skillet Cake
This cake is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but it stores well. Once completely cooled, cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can enjoy it chilled or gently reheat individual slices in the microwave.
Recipe: Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake
Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake (Easy & Rustic)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt 1/2 cup of butter for the topping over medium heat. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Arrange the apple slices over the sugar mixture and sprinkle the cranberries on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the 1/2 cup of softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Carefully spoon the batter over the fruit in the skillet and spread evenly. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter. Serve warm.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature to help the batter mix together smoothly and evenly.
Tip 3: Be confident when flipping the cake! A quick, decisive motion works best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use any 10-inch oven-safe skillet or a 9-inch round cake pan. If using a cake pan, prepare the caramel topping in a separate saucepan and pour it into the bottom of the pan before adding the fruit and batter.
Absolutely. You can use frozen cranberries without thawing them first. They work just as well and will provide that same delicious tartness.
The generous amount of butter and sugar in the topping creates a caramel layer that helps prevent sticking. The key is to invert the cake onto a platter within 10-15 minutes of removing it from the oven, while the caramel is still warm.
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can be enjoyed cool or you can gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds.
The best apples are firm-tart varieties that hold their shape during baking. We recommend using Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious for this recipe.
We Hope You Enjoyed This Recipe!
This Cranberry Apple Skillet Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a warm, comforting hug in a pan. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or a simple joy on a quiet afternoon. If you loved this recipe, we’d be thrilled if you left a comment below or shared it with your friends on Pinterest. For more festive flavors, be sure to check out our Cranberry Pepper Jelly Deviled Eggs or these amazing Twisted Christmas Cookies. Happy baking!
