Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake Recipe
A delightful Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake that combines tart fresh cranberries with bright orange zest and juice, all baked into a moist, tender cake finished with a sweet orange glaze. Perfect for festive occasions or as a refreshing dessert.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- Zest of one orange (about 1 tablespoon)
- Juice of one orange
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
Bundt Pan Preparation
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for the pan)
- 1/4 cup fresh cranberries (for the pan)
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons of water, milk, or orange juice (for the icing)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a bundt pan with cooking spray, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the bottom and scatter 1/4 cup fresh cranberries on top. This will create a decorative and flavorful bottom crust.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup sugar until the mixture is light and lemon-colored, about 4-5 minutes. This step incorporates air for a fluffy cake texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Add Orange and Sour Cream: Stir in the orange juice and zest to infuse citrus flavor, then blend in the sour cream until just combined, adding moisture and tenderness to the cake.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Cranberries: Carefully fold in the remaining 1 1/4 cups of fresh cranberries to distribute them evenly throughout the batter without breaking them too much.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and place it in the oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to set the structure, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Icing: Mix powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of water, milk, or orange juice to create a smooth glaze with a drizzle consistency. Spread the glaze over the cooled cake and allow it to set before serving for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor; frozen can be used but may alter texture slightly.
- Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more liquid if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the cake light and tender.
- Let the cake cool completely before glazing to prevent the icing from melting.
Keywords: cranberry orange cake, bundt cake, holiday dessert, citrus dessert, moist cake