Is This the Easiest Cake Ever?

Last week, we spotted something called a Nantucket Cranberry Pie over at the blog Cooking Books. It’s a recipe from Laurie Colwin, and it involves so few ingredients and so little effort, we had to make it immediately. Yes, we know those don’t look like cranberries. Bear with us…

There were no cranberries to be found at the grocery store (nope, not even frozen), so we went with a mixture of frozen cherries and blueberries.

It’s funny that this is called a pie, because it is definitely not. It’s more like a cobbler, really. The flavors are similar to those in Faith’s Cranberry Cake, but with this recipe, you don’t even have to use a mixer.

Here’s what you do: Sprinkle walnuts and cranberries (or defrosted and well-drained cherries and blueberries) into a round cake pan. Toss on some sugar (we reduced the amount, since we were working with sweeter fruit than cranberries). Stir together a quick batter (with melted butter- no softening!) and pour it over the nuts and berries. Then throw the pan in the oven.

This is our new favorite discovery. It has a hint of almond flavor, which is lovely, and it is so absurdly easy we’re almost embarrassed. We nominate it for “Most Likely to Serve as Last-Minute Dessert for Unexpected Guests” or “Easiest Dessert for a Busy Weeknight.” Either one. You pick.

• Get the recipe: Nantucket Cranberry Pie, from Laurie Colwin’s More Home Cooking, via Andrea at Cooking Books.

Related: Recipe: Cranberry Tart

(Image: Elizabeth Passarella)