It’s no mystery that my little Sophia and I love Ina…

she is afterall the amazing Barefoot Contessa.

I’ve been wanting to try this simple recipe for some time…

{Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake}

With Thanksgiving approaching,

it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out.

The recipe is super easy, and has very basic ingredients with perhaps

the exception of fresh cranberries that you may not have on hand.

{Here is what you need}

* 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems

* 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

* 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

* 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)

* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

* 1 1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

* 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

* 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

* 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

  * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

* 1/4 cup sour cream {I actually substituted with unsweetened almond milk}

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

** chopped walnuts {optional, but delicious!}**

{Directions}

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice,

and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,

beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.

With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar,

the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined.

On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate.

Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely.

Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake

comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

{Here’s the Scoop}

It’s the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.

I agree with many of the reviews on food network that it is almost more cobbler-like,

or maybe even a bread pudding consistency.

You won’t believe how good your house smells when it’s baking!

Upon first bite, I instantly could taste bursts of tangy cranberries…

hints of cinnamon and vanilla…

and the taste of fresh orange combined with the tart apples.

It’s the perfect combination of zesty and sweet!

I think you and your guests will LOVE it!

P.S. I may be enjoying this tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee {wink}.

It could totally be considered a delicious coffee cake!