Festive Christmas Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe

Perfect for the Holidays

Bake the perfect Christmas Cranberry Orange Cake with this festive recipe! Enjoy the rich flavors of cranberries and orange, topped with a sweet glaze. Ideal for holiday celebrations!

Cranberries are small, hard, round, red fruits with a flavor that many describe as both bitter and sour. They grow on vines in freshwater bogs, mostly in the northern United States and southern Canada. They're related to blueberries and wintergreen.

Are cranberries a fruit?

Many people consider cranberries to be a superfood due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content. In fact, research has linked the nutrients in cranberries to a lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), the prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure.

What are cranberries good for?

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh? Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Do not thaw them before folding them into the batter to prevent excess moisture.

2. How should I store the cake? Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

3. Can I make the cake ahead of time? Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance and glaze it just before serving.

4. How do I prevent the cranberries from sinking in the cake? Toss the cranberries in a bit of flour before folding them into the batter to help prevent sinking.

5. Can I use orange juice from concentrate? Freshly squeezed orange juice is recommended for the best flavor, but juice from concentrate can be used in a pinch.

6. What size bundt pan should I use? A standard 10-inch bundt pan works well for this recipe.

7. How do I make the glaze thicker or thinner? Adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more orange juice to thin.

8. Can I use another type of oil instead of light olive or canola oil? Yes, you can use any neutral-flavored oil, like vegetable or sunflower oil.

9. How do I make sugared cranberries? Coat cranberries in simple syrup, let them dry, then roll in granulated sugar until well coated.

10. Can I substitute buttermilk with another ingredient? If you don't have buttermilk, you can use a mixture of regular milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.

11. Is this cake suitable for freezing? Yes, you can freeze the cake (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing and serving.

12. Can I add nuts to the recipe? Yes, adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch to the cake.

13. What other fruits can I use instead of cranberries? Dried fruits like cherries or raisins can be used as substitutes for cranberries.

14. How do I ensure the cake bakes evenly? Make sure your oven is preheated, and rotate the pan halfway through baking for even cooking.

15. What can I serve with this cake? The cake pairs well with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a warm custard.

Christmas Cranberry Orange Cake Video Tutorial

Christmas Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Orange Cake:

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (not hot)

  • 1/3 cup light olive oil or canola oil

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest, from 1 orange (plus more for glaze)

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed, dried, and tossed with 1/2 tablespoon flour

For the Orange Glaze and Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (or to reach desired consistency)

  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

  • 1 cup sugared cranberries (optional garnish)

Instructions

How to Make Cranberry Bundt Cake:

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350˚F (175˚C) with a rack in the center. Butter and flour a bundt pan, tapping out excess flour.

  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed for 3 minutes until pale. Add olive oil, melted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing well between each addition. Then mix in buttermilk until smooth.

  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture at low speed until just combined.

  4. Fold in Cranberries: Toss cranberries with flour and fold them, along with orange zest, into the batter.

  5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

To Make the Orange Glaze:

  1. Prepare Glaze: Combine powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Adjust consistency with more juice or powdered sugar as needed.

  2. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.

Sugared Cranberries:

  1. Make Syrup: Combine water and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes.

  2. Coat Cranberries: Stir in cranberries to coat them in the syrup. Remove from heat and stir for 1 minute.

  3. Dry Cranberries: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries to a parchment-lined baking sheet or metal rack to dry for 1 hour.

  4. Sugar Coat: Roll the dried cranberries in the remaining sugar to coat.

Enjoy your Christmas Cranberry Orange Cake!

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