Zesty Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe: Sweet Holiday Joy!

Baking a delectable cranberry orange bundt cake brings pure joy to any kitchen.

This vibrant orange and cranberry bundt cake bursts with tangy-sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

Seasonal ingredients merge to create a stunning dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.

Bright citrus notes complement the tart cranberries, making each slice a delightful surprise.

The cake’s tender crumb promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that will wow everyone at the table.

Rich, buttery, and beautifully glazed, this bundt cake transforms an ordinary afternoon into a special moment.

Prepare to fall in love with every single bite of this irresistible treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 389 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients For Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates light, fluffy consistency, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness, select large, room temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates tender, moist cake with rich flavor, use high-quality butter at room temperature.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy moisture and helps create soft, velvety texture, full-fat version works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile and complements other ingredients, choose pure extract for authentic taste.

• Fresh Cranberries: Provide tart bursts and beautiful color, select plump, firm berries without soft spots.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes and aromatic depth, use fresh oranges for most vibrant flavor.
• Orange Juice: Enhances citrus profile and adds moisture, freshly squeezed juice delivers superior taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden crust, use fine sugar for even distribution.

Tools You’ll Need For Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

• Bundt Pan: Large, ridged cake pan with a center tube for even baking and beautiful cake shape.
• Mixing Bowls: One large and one medium bowl for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Handheld or stand mixer to blend ingredients quickly and create a smooth batter.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Rubber Spatula: Perfect for scraping batter from sides of bowl and ensuring no ingredients are left behind.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents bottom from getting soggy.
• Zester or Grater: Essential for removing orange zest without bitter white pith.
• Whisk: Helps mix dry ingredients and break up any flour lumps.

How To Bake Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F, getting it ready for some delicious baking magic.

• Prepare the Cake Pan

Give your bundt pan a generous coating of butter and flour, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered so your cake slides out perfectly later.

• Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, creating a smooth base for your cake’s foundation.

• Cream the Butter and Sugar

Beat softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, light mixture that looks like a cloud of sweetness.

• Add Wet Ingredients

Fold in eggs one at a time, then splash in vanilla, creating a silky batter that promises a tender cake.

• Combine Wet and Dry

Gently mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with tangy orange juice to keep the batter smooth and velvety.

• Fold in Cranberries

Carefully stir fresh cranberries into the batter, distributing them evenly for bursts of tart flavor in every slice.

• Pour and Bake

Transfer the batter into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying.

Baking Tips For Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

• Baker's Bundt Brilliance: Ensure complete butter and flour coverage in the pan by using a pastry brush to reach every crevice, guaranteeing a perfect cake release.
• Zesty Flavor Boost: Grate fresh orange zest directly into the batter for an intense citrus punch that elevates the cake's aromatic profile.
• Cranberry Distribution Magic: Toss fresh or dried cranberries in a light dusting of flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture or taste.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: The bundt cake stays moist for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making it perfect for advance preparation.

Serving Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe With Ease

• Festive Brunch Centerpiece: Slice this vibrant cake and place it on a beautiful cake stand as the star of your weekend brunch spread, surrounded by fresh orange segments and whole cranberries.
• Holiday Dessert Companion: Serve warm with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream to enhance the cake's citrusy and tart flavors.
• Coffee Corner Delight: Pair a slice with a steaming mug of freshly brewed orange-spiced tea or a rich espresso to complement the cake's bright and zesty profile, creating a perfect afternoon treat.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a rustic twine bow, making it a charming homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or holiday gatherings.

How To Store Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

• Fresh Slice Strategy: Cut cake servings when completely cooled to maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling during slicing.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store covered cake in airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping moisture sealed and flavor profile intact at cool temperatures.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual slices or entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn, storing for maximum 3 months with optimal taste retention.
• Room Temperature Wisdom: Allow cake to sit at ambient kitchen temperature for best texture and flavor enjoyment, consuming within 2-3 days for peak freshness.

Moist Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Signature cranberry orange bundt cake blends sweet citrus with tart cranberry notes. Moist crumb and delicate glaze invite you to savor winter’s most elegant dessert.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (200 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ½ cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange zest (from ½ oranges)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (to coat cranberries)
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps fresh orange juice
• ½ tsp orange zest (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pan Preparation: Thoroughly coat the bundt pan with butter and flour, ensuring comprehensive coverage to prevent cake adherence and facilitate easy release.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt through precise sifting, creating a homogeneous dry mixture that guarantees a smooth cake texture.
3. Butter-Sugar Transformation: Whip butter and sugar until the mixture becomes ethereally light, pale, and voluminous, incorporating essential air for a tender crumb structure.
4. Egg Integration: Methodically blend eggs into the butter mixture, achieving a seamless, emulsified base that provides rich moisture and stability.
5. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate orange zest and vanilla extract, allowing citrus and aromatic notes to permeate the batter and elevate the overall flavor complexity.
6. Batter Composition: Gently alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream, maintaining a delicate mixing technique to preserve the cake’s airy structure and prevent gluten development.
7. Cranberry Distribution: Delicately fold fresh cranberries throughout the batter, ensuring uniform spread without compromising the fruit’s integrity.
8. Baking Procedure: Transfer batter into the prepared bundt pan, leveling the surface for consistent baking, and place in a preheated oven until a wooden skewer emerges clean.
9. Cooling and Finishing: Rest the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before adorning with a vibrant orange-infused glaze made by whisking powdered sugar and fresh orange juice until silky smooth.

Notes

• Prevent Cranberry Sinking: Toss fresh cranberries in a light coating of flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
• Master Bundt Pan Preparation: Use a pastry brush to ensure every crevice of the bundt pan is thoroughly coated with butter and flour, guaranteeing a clean release and perfect cake shape.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain the cake’s tender, light texture and prevent developing tough gluten strands.
• Customize Cranberry Intensity: Adjust cranberry quantity based on personal preference, keeping in mind that too many berries can impact the cake’s structural integrity and baking time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 389
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg