Festive Cranapple Crunch Cake
Celebrate the holiday season with this delectable Festive Cranapple Crunch Cake, a dessert that elegantly combines the tartness of cranberry sauce and the sweetness of apple pie filling, all topped with a buttery, crunchy layer. This cake is incredibly easy to prepare—just dump the ingredients and let the magic happen in the oven! Perfect for holiday gatherings, it's best served warm with a generous scoop of French Vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Cool Whip on top. This festive treat will have everyone coming back for seconds!
12
Servings
250
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce
1 (16 ounce can, whole)
Apple Pie Filling
1 (21 ounce can)
Yellow Cake Mix
1 (18.25 ounce box)
Butter
1/2 (cup (1 stick), cut into small pieces)
Walnuts or Granola
1/2 (cup, chopped or as granola cereal)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
In a 9 x 13-inch ungreased baking pan, evenly spread the cranberry sauce across the bottom.
3
On top of the cranberry sauce, pour in the apple pie filling, spreading it evenly.
4
Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the apple pie filling, ensuring complete coverage.
5
Dot the top of the cake with small pieces of butter.
6
Sprinkle chopped walnuts or granola over the buttered layer.
7
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
8
After baking, cool for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
9
Serve warm, topped with Cool Whip or your favorite ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Nutrition Information
12.5
Fat
37.5
Carbs
1.25
Protein
2.5
Fiber
15
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Cranapple Crunch Cake?
Festive Cranapple Crunch Cake is a holiday dessert that combines tart cranberry sauce and sweet apple pie filling with a buttery, crunchy cake mix topping.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, this is a 'dump cake' style recipe where you simply layer the ingredients in the pan without mixing them together.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 12 servings.
What are the main ingredients needed?
You will need whole cranberry sauce, apple pie filling, dry yellow cake mix, butter, and chopped walnuts or granola.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius).
How long does the cake take to bake?
The cake should bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Should I grease the baking pan?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
What kind of cranberry sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce can of whole cranberry sauce.
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
The recipe recommends yellow cake mix, but you could experiment with white or spice cake mix for different flavors.
What is the best way to serve this cake?
It is best served warm with a scoop of French Vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Cool Whip.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 250 calories.
What size baking pan is required?
You should use a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
Do I need to mix the ingredients together?
No, do not mix the layers. Spread the cranberry sauce, then the apple filling, then the cake mix, and then top with butter and nuts.
How much butter is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of butter, which is equivalent to one stick.
Should the butter be melted or solid?
The butter should be cut into small pieces and dotted over the dry cake mix layer.
What can I use instead of walnuts?
You can use granola cereal or other nuts like pecans for the crunchy topping.
How long should the cake cool before serving?
Let the cake cool for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven before cutting it into squares.
Is there fiber in this dessert?
Yes, each serving contains approximately 2.5 grams of fiber.
How much sugar is in one serving?
There are 15 grams of sugar per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving has about 12.5 grams of fat.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
Each serving provides 37.5 grams of carbohydrates.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a festive holiday and Christmas dessert.
Can I use fresh apples instead of pie filling?
The recipe uses canned apple pie filling for convenience and texture, but seasoned fresh apples could be substituted if you adjust the moisture.
Does this recipe contain protein?
Yes, there is approximately 1.25 grams of protein per serving.
Can I make this gluten-free?
You can make it gluten-free by substituting the yellow cake mix with your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix.
What is the first layer of the cake?
The first layer is the 16-ounce can of whole cranberry sauce spread evenly across the bottom of the pan.
Can I add extra spices?
Yes, adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple layer can enhance the holiday flavors.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The top should look golden brown and you should see the fruit filling bubbling at the edges.
Is this a good recipe for beginners?
Absolutely, the 'dump' method makes it one of the easiest baking recipes to follow.
Can I use granola instead of nuts?
Yes, granola is a perfect alternative to walnuts for the crunchy topping.