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Delicious Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe

This Cranberry Orange Cake is a perfect balance of tart cranberries and sweet orange zest, creating a flavorful, moist cake that’s ideal for any occasion. The tangy cranberry compote filling pairs beautifully with the citrusy notes in the cake, and the glaze adds a deliciously sweet touch. Whether for the holidays or a cozy afternoon treat, this cake will wow your guests with its vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Cake:
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tbsp orange zest
    • 1 cup orange juice
    • 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • For the Cranberry Compote:
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • For the Orange Glaze:
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
    • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cranberry Compote:
In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, and orange juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.

2️⃣ Prepare the Cake Batter:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and orange zest.

3️⃣ Mix and Bake the Cake:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with orange juice. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

4️⃣ Assemble the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled, slice it horizontally in half. Spread the cranberry compote evenly on the bottom layer of the cake, then place the top layer back on.

5️⃣ Make the Orange Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.

6️⃣ Serve:
Slice and serve the cake. Enjoy the sweet, citrusy goodness!

Notes

  • For an extra burst of flavor, you can mix some of the cranberry compote into the batter before baking.
  • If you prefer a more intense glaze, feel free to add more orange juice to achieve your desired consistency.
  • This cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Keywords: cranberry orange cake, orange cranberry cake, cranberry cake recipe, holiday cake, citrus cake, fresh cranberry cake