Prep Time: ~20 minutes
Bake Time: ~30–35 minutes
Total Time: ~50–55 minutes
Yield: ~9–12 servings
Introduction
Christmas Cranberry Buckle Sugar Cookie Streusel is a festive, tender dessert that blends soft sugar cookie-like cake with juicy cranberries and a golden crunchy streusel topping. This holiday-inspired buckle features bright tart berries nestled in a sweet, buttery base finished with a cinnamon-sugar crumble — perfect for seasonal celebrations, brunches, or cozy winter baking.
Why This Dessert Is So Loved
This buckle combines tender, cake-like texture with bursts of tart cranberry and a crumbly streusel that adds sweet, buttery crunch. It brings classic Christmas flavors together in one satisfying slice — soft, moist, and beautifully balanced between sweet and bright tartness. Easy to slice and serve, it’s a crowd-pleaser at holiday tables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Base Cake
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or buttermilk
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
For the Streusel Topping
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- All-purpose flour
- Cold butter, cubed
- Optional: finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
Optional Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or cream
- Vanilla extract
The Art of Cranberry Buckle with Streusel
A buckle dessert is defined by its tender cake-like base and generous topping that “buckles” slightly as it bakes, creating a rustic, textured surface. The fresh cranberries bake into the batter, offering juicy pops of flavor, while the streusel topping brings sweetness and crispness that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour a square baking pan or line it with parchment for easy removal.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
In a separate large bowl, cream together:
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
Beat in:
- Eggs, one at a time
- Vanilla extract
Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk or buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.
Fold in fresh or frozen cranberries gently.
3. Prepare the Streusel
In a small bowl, mix:
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- Flour
Add cold, cubed butter and cut it into the dry mix using a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
Optional: add chopped nuts for extra texture.
4. Assemble & Bake
Spread the cake batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Sprinkle the streusel mixture generously over the top.
Bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the streusel is golden.
5. Optional Glaze
While the buckle cools, whisk powdered sugar with a bit of milk and vanilla until smooth.
Drizzle over cooled slices for added sweetness and festive look.
Tips for Best Results
- Use fresh cranberries for the brightest flavor; frozen work well too but don’t thaw first.
- Keep the streusel topping cold so it crisps up in the oven.
- Avoid overmixing the batter once flour is added to keep the cake tender.
- For deeper spice notes, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the streusel.
- Slice once fully cool or serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Creative Variations
- Orange Zest Twist: add orange zest to the batter for citrus brightness.
- White Chocolate Cranberry: stir mini white chocolate chips into the batter.
- Maple Streusel: replace some sugar with maple sugar or add a splash of maple syrup.
- Nutty Crunch: fold toasted pecans into the streusel topping.
- Glaze Options: use a light orange or lemon glaze instead of plain vanilla.
Storage & Freshness
Store leftover buckle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Reheat gently before serving if preferred.
Conclusion
Christmas Cranberry Buckle Sugar Cookie Streusel is a festive, flavorful dessert that blends soft cake, tart cranberries, and sweet crumb topping into a delightful treat. Whether for holiday brunch, dessert, or cozy gatherings, it brings seasonal cheer to every bite!
