{christmas cake}

I’m personally not a big fan of cakes. But, I do like to make cakes. Or better yet, decorate cakes. Naked cakes are my personal favorite. No fuss. They are not intended to have the perfect finished look.

This is another semi-homemade recipe. Cake from a box. Frosting from a container. I did learn that adding a splash of vanilla extract to a box of cake mix makes a difference. No shame in my cake game. Like I said before….I’d much rather make the cake pretty.

The sugared cranberries + rosemary are the showstopper. They give the cake that beautiful just snowed on look. It’s the perfect amount of festive. I love adding fresh ingredients to the tops of cakes.

Here’s what you’ll need:

box of white cake mix
ingredients listed on cake mix box
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
white frosting
1/2 bag of fresh cranberries
6 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup water

Prepare cake as directed. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Trust me! Divide cake batter evenly in two 8″ cake pans.

Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Gently remove onto a cooling rack cool completely.

Wrap each cake in plastic wrap and pop in the fridge for 2 hours until ready to frost.

Layer frosting in the center of the cakes first. Spread a thin layer on sides of stacked cakes. Using a spatula, scrape off most of the frosting for a “naked look”

Then a light layer over the top of the cake.

Sugared cranberries + rosemary:

Add 1 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of water to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until sugar dissolves then bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to touch.

Place remaining 1 cup of sugar onto a plate.

Dip cranberries into the syrup. Then remove with a fork allowing access syrup to drain off.

Roll dipped cranberries into plate of sugar, one at a time.

Place on a parchment lined plate and allow to set.

Same goes for the rosemary. Dip in syrup and roll in sugar.

Then decorate the top of your cake with the sugared cranberries + rosemary.

Wish I would have saved some of the sugar to dust the top of the cake. Wouldn’t that have looked so pretty?