Cranberry Walnut Streusel Cake

I sometimes like baking a cake for the weekend so this weekend we are enjoying a cranberry walnut streusel cake. This cake is really good and not so sweet tasting. It was the perfect way to use up leftover cranberries from the winter.

Cranberry Walnut Streusel Cake
Cranberry jam for filling:
1-1/2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tbsp. orange juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Place all three ingredients in a saucepan and boil until the berries are all popped. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Streusel mix:
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter, softened
Combine the dry ingredients and then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. I like to rub this in with my hands but you can use a fork or pastry cutter.

Cake:
6 tbsp. butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 eggs
Cream the first three ingredients together. Add the eggs to the mixture.

Now mix in the dry ingredients alternating with the milk:
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

Heat the oven to 350F. Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.

Place half the cake mix in the pan. Sprinkle half the streusel topping over it and then carefully spoon on the cranberry jam mixture. I spoon on little bits all over and then carefully spread them out being sure not to push it into the cake mixture. Now add the rest of the cake mixture and top with the second half of the streusel.

Bake in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Bon appitit or eet smakelijk!
Heidi

"Arretjescake" or chocolate butter-biscuit cake

This incredible chocolate delight is an old Dutch treat. It is something that Jos asks me to make at times. It is very simple to put together and requires no baking. Just mix the ingredients and allow to set in the fridge overnight.

Arretjescake or chocolate butter-biscuit cake

100gr (1/2 cup) sugar

100gr (1/2 cup) butter

1/2 package of crushed Maria biscuits (use a cheap plain cookie for this if you cannot get these cookies)

25gr (3 tablespoons) cocoa

1 package of vanilla sugar (7gr) or a drop of vanilla 

1 egg

Mix the cocoa, vanilla sugar and sugar together in a pan. Now add the butter and place on low heat to melt the butter while mixing well. Once the sugar is dissolved in the mixture, add a beaten egg and the cookies which have been crushed. 

Line a half loaf pan with cling wrap. This step is important and cannot be skipped. You will not be able to take the cake out of the pan without the cling wrap. Spread the chocolate biscuit mix into the pan and allow to sit in the fridge overnight. 

Carefully pull out the cake (it is hard to get out but I slip a butter knife along the edges carefully first, slightly lifting). Now slice this cake and serve. This is not a recipe for dieters but it sometimes a good thing to indulge in really good chocolate desserts. 

** If you would like to make this cake in a regular size loaf pan, just double my recipe. **

The "arretjescake" was named after a Dutch cartoon figure "Arretje Nof" shown in the photo below. He was also used in butter ads for the company NOF. This cake is simple but very delicious and impresses whenever served. 

Bon appetit or eet smakelijk!

Heidi