Chaos Cake Thanksgiving Cranberry Swirls (Printable)

Savory-sweet cake marries tender turkey with cranberry swirls and festive flair—ideal for bold gatherings.

# Components:

→ Turkey

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey breast, shredded
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cranberry Swirl

06 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
07 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
09 - 1 teaspoon orange zest

→ Cake Batter

10 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
11 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
16 - 3 large eggs
17 - 1 cup sour cream
18 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Extras

19 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch springform cake pan.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shredded turkey, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, and mash gently.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream and whole milk until smooth.
05 - Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined.
06 - Gently fold the sautéed turkey and chopped pecans (if using) into the batter.
07 - Pour half of the batter into the prepared springform pan. Spoon half of the cranberry mixture in dollops and gently swirl with a knife. Repeat with the remaining batter and the rest of the cranberry swirl.
08 - Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
09 - Scatter chopped parsley over the cake before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses leftovers for a totally new celebration centerpiece
  • Pairs sweet cranberries and savory turkey without being heavy
  • Easy to prepare ahead and serve warm or room temperature
  • Impresses guests and sparks conversation
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber for satisfying a crowd
  • Great for freezing in slices and reheating later
  • Showcases creative use of leftovers
03 -
  • If you want extra swirl effect do not overmix the cranberry layer into the batter
  • Always check that your baking powder and soda are fresh to get the best rise
  • Let all dairy and eggs come to room temperature for the fluffiest batter possible

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