Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°(F). Cut out three 9-inch round segments of parchment paper to line your cake pans with. Spray each pan generously - sides and bottom - with nonstick cooking spray, then place the parchment paper cut out in the bottom of the pans and spray again. It's important to make sure every bit of pan and paper are sprayed so your cakes don't get stuck. Set pans aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine both sugars, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk until ingredients are thoroughly combined, breaking up any large chunks of brown sugar or cocoa powder with your hands or a whisk.

Step 3

In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, oil, and vanilla extract, mix until completely combined.

Step 4

Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and, using a rubber spatula, mix until evenly combined. Don’t over mix here.

Step 5

In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the espresso powder and hot water. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 seconds, then whisk until the two ingredients are evenly combined. Fold into the cake batter, mixing until the batter is evenly combined; about 30 seconds. The batter will be quite thin.

Step 6

Divide batter evenly among prepared the three prepared pans (approximately 725 grams of cake batter per pan).

Step 7

Bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 27 to 30 minutes (check at 27), or until a wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 8

Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan before removing from pans and transferring to a cooling rack. Cool cakes completely before frosting.

Step 9

In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and orange juice, whisk well until completely combined. Set aside until needed.

Step 10

In a medium-saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Continue cooking until the cranberries soften and some have begun to burst, about 5 more minutes.

Step 11

Pour in the cornstarch slurry, and mix well to combine. Continue cooking, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, until the mixture has thickened, about 4 to 5 more minutes.

Step 12

Remove from heat and stir in the orange juice and vanilla extract.

Step 13

Scrape into a bowl and cool completely before using.

Step 14

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and mascarpone cheese on medium-speed, until smooth and creamy, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Step 15

Reduce the mixer speed to low, and gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar, beating each addition well before adding the next. Once all of the sugar has been added, beat in the salt, vanilla, and milk.

Step 16

Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. If the frosting appears too stiff to spread, add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until desired texture is achieved.

Step 17

In a medium-saucepan, combine 1⁄2 cup of the granulated sugar and the water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Step 18

Add in the cranberries and bring mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries and transfer them to a wire cooling rack.

Step 19

Add the rosemary into sugar syrup and cook for 1 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to transfer to the wire cooling rack.

Step 20

Allow cranberries and rosemary to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, or until still slightly tacky to the touch.

Step 21

Add remaining granulated sugar to a wide, shallow bowl. Add a few cranberries at a time, and roll them in the sugar until they’re completely coated on all sides. Transfer the cranberries back to the wire rack. Repeat with all the cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

Step 22

Leave to dry at room temperature for 2 hours before using.

Step 23

Using a long serrated knife, carefully trim the raised top of each cake, making each one an even, level surface. This will only be a thin layer, as the cakes don’t rise too much in the oven.

Step 24

Carefully transfer 1 layer to a large plate or cake stand. Spread an even layer of frosting on top, aiming for it to be 1⁄4” in thickness, then top with half of the cranberry filling. Top with another cake layer, and repeat, adding the same ratio of frosting and cranberry filling.

Step 25

Top with the final cake layer, then use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. Aim for a 1⁄4” thickness of frosting on top, then spread whatever is left around the edges. This is a semi-naked cake, so don’t be alarmed if the sides aren’t totally covered with frosting.

Step 26

Decorate the cake with sugared cranberries and rosemary. Allow cake to set at room temperature for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.