Do you often find yourself with an abundance of cranberry sauce after holiday feasts, only to see it languish in the back of the fridge? You’re certainly not alone! While I adore cranberry sauce, and my daughter shares that enthusiasm, the rest of my family isn’t quite as keen. Once the main turkey or ham is gone, my interest in plain cranberry sauce quickly wanes. But what if there was a way to transform this festive leftover into something utterly new, exciting, and absolutely irresistible? That’s precisely why I created this show-stopping Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake!

This exquisite coffee cake is the perfect solution for reinventing your leftover cranberry sauce. Crafted with a rich, moist sour cream cake base, crunchy pecans, a decadent vanilla coffee glaze, and beautifully sparkly candied cranberries, it transforms simple leftovers into a truly magnificent holiday dessert. Imagine it gracing your holiday brunch table or serving as a dazzling finale to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner – it’s a true centerpiece that’s both festive and practical. Best of all, it’s a brilliant way to use up that delicious cranberry sauce without a speck of waste! This recipe draws inspiration from my beloved Rhubarb Coffee Cake and my indulgent Butter Tart Bundt Cake, offering a unique twist on classic flavors. It also pairs wonderfully with my Healthy Leftover Turkey Wraps for a complete post-holiday meal plan.

🍒 Reader Review

“Made this today and it turned out great! Will be one of our holiday and/or special occasion cakes. Decorated it with the candied cranberries, making it look too good to eat. Love it!”⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why You’ll Adore This Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake with Candied Cranberries

This Cranberry Coffee Cake isn’t just another dessert; it’s a game-changer for your holiday season. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished tradition:

• Effortlessly Uses Up Leftover Cranberry Sauce! Say goodbye to food waste and hello to culinary creativity! This coffee cake provides a truly delicious and satisfying way to transform that surplus cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas into a magnificent new dish. Instead of letting it go to waste, you’re giving it a starring role in a decadent dessert. It’s a win-win for your pantry and your palate!
• A Stunning Showstopper for Any Holiday Table! Elevate your festive gatherings with a dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes. Adorned with glistening, sparkling candied cranberries, this coffee cake is a visual delight that commands attention. Its vibrant colors and elegant presentation make it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday brunch, dinner, or any special occasion, impressing guests with minimal effort.
• Convenient Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly Option. Reduce holiday stress by preparing this scrumptious coffee cake in advance. You can bake the cake after Thanksgiving, use your leftover cranberry sauce, and then freeze it for your upcoming Christmas dinner dessert! This make-ahead capability means less time in the kitchen during busy celebrations and more time enjoying moments with family and friends. It freezes beautifully, retaining its moist texture and rich flavor.
• Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart Flavors. The tartness of the cranberry sauce perfectly complements the sweet, rich coffee cake batter and the delicate vanilla coffee glaze. This harmonious blend prevents the cake from being overly sweet, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of tastes.
• Moist, Tender Crumb with a Delightful Crunch. Thanks to the inclusion of sour cream, this coffee cake boasts an incredibly moist and tender crumb. The addition of chopped pecans introduces a wonderful textural contrast, providing a satisfying crunch that elevates every bite.

🥘 Essential Ingredient Notes

It’s worth noting that a “coffee cake” is traditionally any cake that is flavored with or intended to be eaten *with* coffee. So, while there isn’t actually coffee *in* the cake batter itself, this Cranberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake is designed to be the perfect accompaniment to your morning brew, especially with its unique and utterly delicious vanilla coffee glaze!

For this delightful recipe, you’ll need the following key ingredients:

For the Cranberry Coffee Cake:

This incredibly moist, cranberry-swirled coffee cake features a fantastic streusel baked right into the layers, ensuring every bite delivers flavor and texture, rather than just on top!

• Cranberry Sauce: The star of our show! Whether you prefer the homemade goodness of a scratch-made cranberry sauce or the convenience of a store-bought can, either whole cranberry sauce or jellied, it will work beautifully in this recipe. The tartness of the cranberries is essential for balancing the sweetness of the cake, creating a wonderfully complex flavor profile.
• Salt: A crucial ingredient in baking, salt isn’t just for flavor; it actively balances the sweetness in desserts, preventing them from being cloying and enhancing the natural flavors of all the other ingredients.
• White Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: You’ll utilize both types of sugar for distinct purposes in this recipe. White granulated sugar contributes to the primary sweetness and structure of the cake batter, creating a tender and light crumb. Brown sugar, with its molasses content, adds a deeper, more nuanced flavor and moisture to the streusel layer, complementing the pecans perfectly.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter is fundamental for creating a rich flavor and an incredibly tender crumb in baked goods. By opting for unsalted butter, you gain precise control over the overall salt content of your recipe, allowing you to fine-tune the flavor balance.
• Sour Cream: This ingredient is a secret weapon for moist and tender cakes! Sour cream adds significant richness, moisture, and a subtle tanginess that beautifully counteracts the sweetness of the cake, resulting in a perfectly balanced and incredibly palatable dessert. You can use regular, light, or fat-free sour cream, or even plain Greek yogurt for a similar effect.
• Chopped Pecans: These delightful nuts provide a fantastic texture and a pleasant crunch within the cake. Their earthy, buttery flavor perfectly complements the cranberries and the overall richness of the coffee cake.

For the Irresistible Vanilla Coffee Glaze:

This luscious coffee glaze is not merely an afterthought; it’s the PERFECT accompaniment, adding a layer of sophistication and depth to the tart cranberry coffee cake.

• Cream: I choose cream (specifically table cream) over milk for this glaze because it delivers a much thicker, richer, and more luxurious consistency, ensuring the glaze coats the cake beautifully and adds a decadent touch.
• Brewed Vanilla Coffee: This ingredient is what truly makes the glaze special! Vanilla coffee infuses the glaze with a unique, aromatic flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet cake and tart cranberries. If vanilla coffee isn’t readily available, a simple hack is to add a drop (approximately ¼ teaspoon) of vanilla extract to regular brewed coffee for a similar aromatic boost.

For the Sparkling Candied Cranberries:

These gorgeous, sparkling sugared cranberries aren’t just a garnish; they are the crowning glory of this Cranberry Coffee Cake, adding both visual appeal and a burst of tart-sweet flavor.

• Frozen Cranberries: I typically opt for frozen cranberries due to their year-round availability and economical pricing. They store well for up to 12 months when properly kept. Just remember to take them out in time to defrost thoroughly before you begin the candying process! Fresh cranberries can also be used if you have them.
• Sugar and Water: When heated together, sugar and water create a simple syrup. This syrup is crucial for coating the cranberries, allowing the additional sugar to adhere easily and crystallize, transforming them into sparkling “candied” gems.

*Refer to the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and precise quantities.

📖 Creative Variations and Smart Substitutions

This Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to experiment!

• Cranberry Sauce Options: Feel free to use any type of cranberry sauce you have! Whether it’s your cherished homemade cranberry sauce, or a convenient canned variety (either whole berry or jellied), all will work perfectly. The key is the vibrant flavor and moisture it adds to the cake.
• Nut Substitutions for Pecans: While pecans offer a delightful buttery crunch, you can easily substitute them with other nuts. Chopped almonds will provide a slightly sweeter, delicate flavor, while walnuts will give a more robust, earthy note and a similar texture. Feel free to use what you love or have on hand.
• Sour Cream Alternatives: For the sour cream, you have flexibility! Use regular, light, or even fat-free versions depending on your dietary preferences. A fantastic and often healthier alternative is plain Greek yogurt. It provides a similar tang and moisture, contributing to a wonderfully tender crumb.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries for Candying: The recipe calls for defrosted frozen cranberries for the candied garnish, which are usually easier to find year-round. However, if you have access to fresh cranberries, they can certainly be used for making the beautiful sugared cranberries. Just ensure they are thoroughly washed and dried before proceeding with the candying steps.
• Spice It Up: For an added layer of warmth, consider incorporating a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of allspice into the cake batter or the brown sugar-nut mixture. These spices beautifully complement the cranberry flavor.
• Citrus Zest: A little bit of orange or lemon zest mixed into the batter can brighten the flavors and enhance the cranberry’s natural tang.

How to Craft This Delightful Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake

Creating this festive coffee cake is a straightforward process, resulting in a bakery-worthy treat you’ll be proud to serve. Follow these steps for a perfect bake:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your chosen bundt pan (a fluted or tube pan also works well) by generously spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy release. In a medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
2. In a separate, larger mixing bowl, cream together the white granulated sugar, butter, and vanilla extract using an electric hand mixer until the mixture is light and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
3. Gradually add the dry flour mixture and the sour cream to the egg, sugar, and butter mixture. Start and end with the flour mixture, beating only until the ingredients are just blended. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
4. In a small separate bowl, combine the chopped pecans and brown sugar; this will form your delicious streusel layer. Set it aside.
5. Evenly spread half of the prepared cake batter into your greased bundt pan.
6. Carefully dollop half of your cranberry sauce by the teaspoonful over the batter, spreading it out as evenly as possible.
7. Generously sprinkle half of the brown sugar and nut mixture over the cranberry layer.
8. Gently top this with the remaining cake batter, spreading it carefully to cover the layers beneath.
9. Now, add the remaining cranberry sauce on top of the final batter layer, again, distributing it in small spoonfuls.
10. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the cranberry sauce into the batter. You’ll want to cut deeply to ensure the swirl reaches the bottom layers, creating a beautiful marbled effect throughout the cake. However, be cautious not to swirl too much, or you might end up with a uniformly pink cake instead of distinct cranberry swirls!
11. Finally, sprinkle the remaining pecan and brown sugar mixture evenly over the top of the cake.
12. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows it to firm up slightly before unmolding.
13. After 10 minutes, gently loosen the sides of the cake from the pan with a knife, then carefully invert it onto your serving plate or wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, it’s ready for glazing and garnishing with your sparkling candied cranberries!

*For a full list of detailed instructions, please consult the recipe card provided below.

🔪 How to Make Dazzling Candied Cranberries

Serving this beautiful Cranberry Coffee Cake with a generous scattering of candied (also known as sugared) cranberries is the perfect finishing touch. They are surprisingly simple to make, yet they add a spectacular sparkly, festive flair that truly elevates the dessert!

1. In a medium saucepan, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar with ½ cup of water. Place it over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. It’s important not to bring this mixture to a boil; you just want to create a warm syrup.
2. Add your defrosted cranberries to the saucepan and stir gently to ensure every cranberry is thoroughly coated in the sugar syrup. This step is crucial for the sugar to adhere properly later.
3. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the syrup-coated cranberries to a wire rack. Allow them to dry undisturbed for approximately 30 minutes. This drying time allows the syrup to become slightly tacky, making the next step easier.
4. Once the cranberries are tacky, roll them in the remaining granulated sugar until they are completely coated. The sugar will cling beautifully to the syrupy surface, creating a sparkling effect.
5. Return the sugared cranberries to a clean wire rack to continue drying for another 15 minutes. This extra drying time helps the sugar coating to set and crystalize fully.
6. Store your finished candied cranberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and sparkling for 2-3 days.
7. Just before serving, garnish your Cranberry Coffee Cake generously with these sparkling beauties. You can also sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar over the cake for a snowy, festive look, if desired.

🌡️ Storing Your Cranberry Coffee Cake

One of the many fantastic qualities of this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cake is its excellent keeping and freezing ability. If you’re celebrating U.S. Thanksgiving, you can bake this cake in November, utilizing all your delicious cranberry leftovers, and then simply wrap and freeze it until your Christmas dinner or another holiday celebration! It freezes exceptionally well, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert. (*Please see my TOP TIP below for freezing instructions!)

For the best presentation and texture, it is highly recommended to wait to apply the glaze and prepare the sparkling sugared cranberries just prior to serving. This ensures the glaze remains fresh and shiny, and the candied cranberries retain their festive sparkle and crisp texture.

If storing at room temperature, keep the unglazed cake in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Once glazed, it’s best kept in the refrigerator.

💡 Top Tip: Freezing for Future Feasts

How to Freeze an Undecorated Cake Flawlessly

To ensure your beautiful coffee cake remains fresh and delicious after freezing, my go-to method is to wrap it securely. First, I use Glad Press N’ Seal (affiliate link) directly around the cooled cake – it seals much better than regular plastic wrap, preventing freezer burn. Then, for added protection and to maintain its shape, I place the wrapped cake into a sealed cake carrier (affiliate link) or a sturdy freezer-safe container. When stored correctly using this method, the cake can be frozen for up to 3 months without compromising its flavor or texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing and garnishing.

🥫 Other Creative Uses for Leftover Cranberry Sauce

If you often find yourself with extra Thanksgiving or Christmas cranberry sauce, rest assured, you are definitely not alone! It’s a common dilemma, and one I’ve tackled by developing several inventive leftover cranberry recipes. Beyond this fantastic Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake, I highly recommend exploring these other delicious ways to utilize your surplus sauce:

• Leftover Cranberry Sauce Cornbread Muffins: These delightful muffins (as pictured) are a perfect blend of sweet and savory. The tart cranberry sauce creates moist, flavorful pockets within the cornbread, making them ideal for breakfast, a snack, or even alongside a holiday meal.
• Cranberry Aioli: Elevate your sandwiches, wraps, or even roasted turkey with this bright and tangy aioli. It’s incredibly easy to make and adds a gourmet touch to everyday dishes, providing a fresh burst of flavor.
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs: These savory meatballs are a fantastic appetizer or a main course, especially when you’re looking for comforting, easy-to-prepare meals. The cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tangy glaze that’s absolutely addictive.
• Cranberry Glaze for Pork or Chicken: Whisk some leftover cranberry sauce with a touch of Dijon mustard and a splash of orange juice for a quick and flavorful glaze. Brush it over roasted pork tenderloin or chicken breasts during the last few minutes of cooking for a vibrant finish.
• Cranberry Vinaigrette: Blend cranberry sauce with olive oil, vinegar (balsamic or apple cider), a squeeze of orange, and a touch of honey for a unique salad dressing.

This vibrantly festive Cranberry Christmas Cake is truly the ideal holiday cake, perfect for either your Christmas dinner dessert or as the star of your Christmas brunch spread! And let’s be honest, there’s absolutely no rule against enjoying a slice for breakfast or a leisurely brunch on Christmas morning. After all, it’s explicitly designed to be savored with coffee!

While you can certainly make it with your leftover cranberry sauce *after* Thanksgiving and pop it in the freezer, if you know in advance that you’ll have extra cranberry sauce that won’t be consumed with dinner (a common scenario for many, including myself), you can go ahead and bake this cake even before it officially becomes a “leftover.” This proactive approach ensures you have a gorgeous, delicious cake ready to enjoy whenever the craving strikes, minimizing food waste and maximizing holiday cheer!

❔ Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake

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