Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This Cranberry Orange Cake blends bright citrus, tart cranberries, and silky cream cheese frosting into a dessert that feels festive yet approachable—perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Equipment
- Bundt or layer cake pan
- Hand or Stand Mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1.25 cups unsalted butter softened
- 2.5 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups cake flour plus 2 Tbsp, divided
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract pure
- 1 tsp orange zest fresh
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.25 cup fresh orange juice
- 1.75 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
Swirl Filling
- 0.667 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1‑2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a Bundt or layer cake pan generously.
- Cream the butter on high speed for one minute until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat ~5 minutes until pale and airy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape bowl sides often.
- On the lowest mixer speed, add cake flour (plus 2 Tbsp) divided in two batches along with salt and optional baking soda. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, orange extract, and orange zest until just combined.
- Pour in the milk and orange juice and mix until smooth. Toss the cranberries in the remaining flour, then gently fold them in until evenly distributed.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the batter, keeping it away from the edges. Top with remaining batter and smooth the surface.
- Bake for 1 h 15–25 m (depending on your oven) until a toothpick in the center comes out mostly clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then invert onto a rack and let cool completely.
- While the cake cools, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in orange zest and fresh juice until creamy and spreadable.
- Once the cake is fully cooled, spread or drizzle the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. Let it set slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
This pairing of tart cranberries and bright orange is a beloved holiday combination — frequently featured in layer cakes and frosting styles that combine citrus and cream cheese. For example, similar glaze techniques appear in other cranberry‑orange recipes. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}