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white chocolate cranberry layer cake

This White Chocolate Cranberry Layer Cake is packed with fresh tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate, all in a fluffy vanilla cake batter. It's then finished with white chocolate frosting and creamy ganache on top!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Cakes
Servings: 12
Author: Valentina | The Baking Fairy

Ingredients

  • *for the frosting*
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • *for the cake*
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup {½ stick} unsalted butter softened
  • 2 eggs
  • cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • cup whole milk
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • *for the white chocolate drip*
  • ½ cup chopped white chocolate or almond bark
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • First, start the frosting. You have to do this at least a few hours before you will make the cake, ideally the day before!!
  • In a small pot, combine the 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of butter. Heat on medium-low until everything is smooth and melted.
  • Let mixture come to room temperature, then cover and place in fridge until completely solid, ideally overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F, and grease/flour two 6" cake pans.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add in the butter, and beat on low until it's incorporated and has a sandy texture.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla and almond extract, and add them to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
  • Pour in the milk, and beat on medium-low until smooth and creamy.
  • Finally, stir in the fresh cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  • Divide batter evenly among the two pans, and bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with just a few crumbs. Let cakes cool completely before decorating.
  • When ready to decorate, grab the solid white chocolate and butter mixture for the frosting, and place in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle.
  • Beat the mixture until completely soft and fluffy. It will take a few minutes until it really comes together! Now it is ready to use.
  • To make the white ganache, combine the white chocolate/almond bark and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 15 sec increments until smooth and creamy. Let cool slightly, then place in a ziplock baggie or a squeeze bottle, and decorate as desired.
  • To assemble the cake, divide the 2 cake layers in half to create 4 thin layers. Place one cake piece on your cake stand or platter, and pipe frosting all over. Smooth with an offset spatula if desired. Repeat with all.
  • Pipe frosting all over the outside of the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper.
  • Decorate the top and sides with the white chocolate ganache you made. Finally, add some rosemary sprigs on top and decorate with fresh or sugared cranberries.
  • Enjoy immediately or place in fridge until needed.