Christmas Cranberry Cake

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 2/3 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 c. whole milk, room temperature
• 1/2 c. sour cream, room temperature
• 1 c. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 egg + 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 c. cranberries, fresh or frozen and thawed
• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 tbsp. whole milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 c. cranberries, fresh or frozen thawed
• 1 c. sparkling sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and sour cream, mixing on low until just combined. Slowly add the melted butter, egg and egg whites, and vanilla, mixing until just combined. Using a spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, then gently fold in the cranberries.
3. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake until the edges are lightly golden and a wooden toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
4. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely.
5. For the frosting: Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in the milk, vanilla, and salt. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined.
6. Spread the cream cheese frosting to cover the cake and decorate with candied cranberries, if using.
7. For the candied cranberries: In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
8. Add the cranberries to the cooled mixture and toss to coat. Transfer the soaked berries to a cooling rack set over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let the cranberries sit for 1 hour, or until the simple syrup has dried slightly and become sticky on the cranberries.
9. Toss the cranberries in sparkling sugar and place back on the wire rack until ready to decorate the cake.