Cranberry White Chocolate Snack Cake

Let’s just stop the normal food, running, a photography program around here and talk about something very, very important for a few minutes. That something is Downton Abbey.

[I'm trying to write this post without spoilers, but OMG I loved this scene SO MUCH! That's all I will say!]

Yes, I am obsessed. Yes, I’ve watched all of the episodes at least once and I’m very anxiously awaiting the conclusion of season 2 on Sunday night. I’ve always been a total sucker for English costume dramas. I know it is basically a soap opera in Edwardian garb, but I’m okay with that. At least it’s for the most part a well acted and well written soap opera. And the clothes really are gorgeous. Throw in the Dowager Countess one liners and you’ve got a classic in my books.

So to mark the end of this season of Downton, we’re planning a little gathering on Sunday night. Call it a tea party of sorts. Except maybe instead of tea, we’ll have wine. There’s plenty of that on Downton too (did you catch in last week’s episode how many different wines they go through in a single dinner?! I wish I had a wine cellar like that! Okay, I just wish I lived at Downton).

But we will definitely have tea cake and I’m going to cast my vote for this one. It’s the fabulous creation of one Mama Pea, and it’s inspired by my all time favorite Starbucks seasonal treat. Although I agree with Mama Pea, this is way better than that dense Christmas cake at Starbucks!

Cranberry White Chocolate Snack Cake
Adapted from Peas and Thank You

For the Cake:

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon orange or lemon zest (I use lemon)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bar

For the Icing:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon orange extract (I used Grand Marnier)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
cranberries, for sprinkling

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine butter, sugars, milk, applesauce, vanilla, and zest. Mix until combined. The mixture will be slightly lumpy. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add the cranberries and the white chocolate. Spread into a greased 8 x 8 pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 22-25 minutes.

While the cake is baking, make the icing. Combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer, beating until cobmined. Add the powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated. Add orange extract to taste. Spread icing on cooled cake and sprinkle top with remaining cranberries.

Enjoy! With a side of English drama if you wish!

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