Cranberry Almond Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Toss the cranberries with the sugar, wine, olive oil, 1 tablespoon rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake on the lower oven rack, breaking up the berries with a spoon halfway through, until bubbling, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the almonds with the maple syrup, remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and bake on the upper oven rack until golden brown and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool until hardened, about 30 minutes. Finely chop the brittle and sprinkle on the cranberry sauce just before serving.

Steps:

• Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or a wooden spoon until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract.
• Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add food coloring, if using, and beat for thirty seconds until smooth or until desired color is reached.

Steps:

• Make the sugared cranberries: Bring 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 3/4 cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Put the cranberries in a large bowl and pour the sugar syrup over them; let sit 1 hour. Whisk the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar with the cardamom in a large bowl. Drain the cranberries, add to the spiced sugar and toss to coat. Spread the cranberries and sugar on a rimmed baking sheet. Let sit, rerolling the cranberries in the sugar occasionally until dry, 2 to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Coat the parchment with cooking spray. Whisk the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, allspice and cardamom in a large bowl; set aside. Put the cocoa powder in a separate large bowl. Heat 1 cup water in a small saucepan until almost simmering; pour over the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Set aside until slightly cooled, about 10 minutes.
• Add the eggs to the cocoa mixture and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until just combined. Add the granulated sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla; beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; gradually add the flour mixture, then increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans; lightly tap on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment. (The cake layers can be made 1 day ahead; let cool, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap.)
• Make the frosting: Beat the butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts; increase the mixer speed to high and beat, scraping down the side of the bowl, until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the milk and almond liqueur; beat until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 more minutes.
• Halve 1/2 cup of the sugared cranberries. Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Spread with 1 cup frosting, then sprinkle with the halved cranberries. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Top with the remaining sugared cranberries.

Steps:

• Using a serrated knife, trim tops of 8-inch round cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place first layer on cake plate. Spread frosting over first layer with a small offset spatula so it extends just beyond edges.
• Place remaining layer on top, bottom side up. Gently sweep away any loose crumbs with a pastry brush. Using an offset spatula, cover top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (also use any of the excess frosting visible between the layers). Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
• Using an offset spatula, cover cake again with remaining frosting. Repeat process with 6-inch round cakes. Serve.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine dried cranberries and amaretto. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool., In a large bowl, beat almond paste, half of the butter, and 1/4 cup sugar until well blended. Add remaining butter and remaining sugar; cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in almond extract., Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Fold in fresh cranberries and dried cranberry mixture. Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan., Bake at 325° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 55-65 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., Combine glaze ingredients; beat until smooth. Drizzle over cake. If desired, top with sugared cranberries and sliced almonds.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar, almonds and flour; cut in the butter until crumbly. Beat egg and vanilla; add to flour mixture and stir until moistened. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. , Coat fingers with flour and press pastry mixture into the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. P;lace on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. , Meanwhile, soften gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Set aside. In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, jelly and remaining sugar. Cook over medium heat until berries pop. Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved and cool. Pour into crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and almonds if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.