Cranberry orange cake is a bright, flavorful dessert that combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the zesty sweetness of orange, creating a perfect balance of flavors. This cake is ideal for the fall and winter seasons, offering a festive touch to holiday meals or a refreshing treat for any occasion.
The base of the cake is made from a simple batter that combines flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and a bit of baking powder. Fresh or frozen cranberries are gently folded into the batter, adding bursts of tart flavor throughout. The key ingredient that elevates this cake is the addition of orange zest and fresh orange juice, which infuse the cake with a citrusy brightness that beautifully contrasts the tart cranberries.
As the cake bakes, the cranberries soften, releasing their juice and adding moisture to the cake, while the orange zest permeates the crumb, creating a fragrant, aromatic dessert. The texture of the cake is light and moist, with a slight tanginess from the cranberries that balances the sweetness of the cake itself.
To finish, the cake can be drizzled with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice, which adds an extra layer of sweetness and a glossy finish. Alternatively, a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream can be used for a lighter touch.
Cranberry orange cake is perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or as a comforting dessert for a cozy afternoon. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of dessert wine like a Moscato.
This cake is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with the bright red cranberries against the golden cake and the hint of orange zest making it a stunning centerpiece for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs large
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp orange zest grated
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries washed and dried
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the orange juice, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the orange zest and cranberries gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
This cake is absolutely delicious! So moist and the orange flavor really pops. My family loved it!
Cranberries and orange? Sounds weird but I gave it a shot. Turned out pretty good! The tartness is nice.
Cranberries n’ oranges? Nah, I wouldn’t try that. Sounds too funky for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorite combos. The tartness is just perfect.
I tried making this but it didn’t raise much. Maybe I messed up the baking powder? Not sure if I would do it again.
I made this cake too and it flopped! I think my oven is too hot. Lol! Might not try it again either. 😅
It sounds like you might have added too much flour or not enough baking powder. It’s tricky sometimes! Don’t give up, though. Maybe try again with a fresh batch of baking powder?
Yum! Best cake ever! Though, I thought you needed more sugar in cakes. Mine was sweet enough tho!
This cake was delicious! The flavors really pop. My family loved it.
I don’t get why everyone is raving about it. It was just okay for me, too much orange maybe?
I’m glad you loved it! I tried it too, and it was a hit at my family gathering!
So good! Took to a potluck and everyone loved it. I’ll def make again.
This cake was delicious! The combination of orange and cranberry is perfect. Will make again!
I found the recipe kinda confusing. What do you mean by ‘sifted’ flour? Should I sift it before or after measuring? It didn’t turn out well for me 🙁
Made this for a potluck and people went crazy for it! Will definitely make again.
Disaster! Cake didn’t rise at all and it was a gooey mess. Maybe I mixed it too much?
Or maybe your oven temp is off? I read somewhere that can mess up baking too.
I feel you! This cake can be tricky. Mixing too much can defo make it dense. Maybe try again but mix just until combined next time!
I followed the recipe but my cake came out super dry. Not sure what went wrong…
I found the recipe a bit complicated. Can someone simplify it? 🤔
I get that! It’s a bit of a process. Maybe you could just mix the wet and dry ingredients together and bake? Would that help?
Complicated? Nah, it’s just a cake! Just follow the steps and you’ll be fine. Cake is cake.
Is there supposed to be orange zest? I don’t remember seeing it in the instructions. Update please.
I don’t think cranberries and oranges go together. Tried it anyway and I was surprised. It’s actually pretty good!
Amazing! I added nuts as well and it gave it a nice crunch. Definitely making it for the next family gathering!
So good, yum!
Not bad, but the cranberries were kinda too tart for me. I’d try adding a glaze or maybe swapping half the cranberries for dried (if that even makes sense). The orange juice flavor is nice, just want it sweeter overall.
I made it for my mom’s birthday and she loved it! Great recipe, thank you! ❤️
I’m not sure about this combo of flavors. Cranberries and orange? Seems odd.
The flavor is good, but I found the cake a little dense. Maybe I didn’t cream the butter/sugar long enough? Next time I’ll beat it more.
Cranberries in cake? Sounds weird! But I was surprised, it actually tastes good. Next time, I might add some nuts. 🤔
This cake is simply divine! The flavors of orange and cranberry blend so well. My family loved it, and I just made it twice in a row!
It was okay, but the cranberries were too tart for my taste. Maybe less cranberries next time.
I totally get that! Cranberries can be super tart. Maybe you can try adding more sugar or some sweet frosting next time to balance it out!
Yum! Just made it, and it smells heavenly. Can’t wait to taste it. Also, my kitchen looks like a crime scene with all the flour everywhere 😂.
Very good! But why is it called cranberry orange and has no orange peel? Need more zest, right?
Tasted good but my cake didn’t rise 😕. Any tips?
It might be the baking powder. Did you check that it wasn’t expired? That could cause the cake not to rise!
Gotta be honest, I burnt mine 🤦♂️. But the taste was great!
Can you use frozen cranberries? I saw some at the store but not fresh ones.
What even is a cranberry? My friend told me they’re red berries, but I thought they were small apples! 🤔
Cranberries are definitely not apples! They’re sour little berries, but they’re great in cakes. 🍰
Looks great! Can’t wait to give it a try this weekend! 👍
This cake is amazing! The orange flavor is so refreshing, and the cranberries give it a nice tart touch. Will definitely bake again!
I’m glad you loved it! I added some walnuts for extra crunch, and it turned out great too!
Nice cake. Easy recipe. My mom would make something similar but with blueberries. I like both.
This cake was absolutely delightful! The combo of cranberries and orange is just perfect. My family loved it!
I tried this cake too and I wasn’t impressed. I think it needed more sugar or something. The cranberries were too tart for my taste!
Cake? I prefer pie! This seems too sweet for my taste, but my wife loves cranberries, so maybe I’ll give it a shot for her.
wow 10/10 would eat again 😂 The orange + cranberry combo is perfect. I might add a little glaze next time, but recipe itself is solid.
Easy to make but very basic. Just a regular cake to me. Probably won’t make again.
This cake is the best thing ever!! My grandma used to make something similar, brought back great memories.
Not bad, but 1/2 cup butter seems low for 2 cups flour—at least in my experience. I had to add extra orange juice to get it to come together.
I was worried the batter would be too thin, but it baked up perfectly. Next time I’ll probably add a little more zest just because I love orange. Also, the sift step helped—no lumps at all.
Yummy! I added some walnuts for crunch. Best decision ever!
Cranberry and orange? That’s an odd combo, but who am I to judge. It’s kinda good I guess.
I thought the same! Cranberry and orange seem kinda weird but it’s really tasty! Trust me, give it a shot.
Nah, I don’t think it’s good at all! Cranberries shouldn’t be in cake. Stick to chocolate, that’s the real deal.
This cake was super delicious! The blend of orange and cranberry is perfect! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eh, I dunno. Orange and cranberry? Sounds kinda weird. I prefer chocolate cake, ya know?
That sounds amazing! I love the combination of orange and cranberry, definitely going to try it! 🍊🍰
My kids loved it!!! I will make it for their birthday next month! 🎉👍
That’s awesome! I bet the kids will love it even more with some icing on top! 🎂🍊
I used frozen cranberries because I had them on hand and they bled a lot—looks kinda dramatic, lol. Taste is still nice though. Next time I’ll thaw and drain them first.
This cake is absolutely delicious! The cranberry-orange combo is a winner. I will definitely make it again!
What if I use lemon instead of orange? Can anyone help?
I used bottled orange juice because, uhh, I’m lazy and it still was good!
My cake burnt on the edges but the inside was still good. I guess I left it too long. Oops!
Looks so good!
Right?! The orange zest + cranberries combo sounds like it’ll be super bright and flavorful.
Looks good, but I’m curious—would frozen cranberries work the same? I always forget to dry fresh ones 😅
This cake is so yummy! I made it for my family and they loved it. Definitely a keeper!
So delicious! My family loved it. I used frozen cranberries instead, and it worked just fine! Yum!
Cranberries are bitter, right? Mixed feelings about this cake. But I guesss the orange helps…
Wait, I thought cranberries were only for Thanksgiving? 🤔
Way too much baking powder? Mine tasted kinda bitter, idk. Also I only had clementine juice so maybe that changed it.
I had high hopes, but it was too dry for my taste. Maybe I overbaked it? Not sure if I would try again.
I tried making this, but it came out too dry. Maybe I mixed it too much? Not sure I’ll give it another try.
Dry cake? I would just throw some icing on it! That always helps, right?
I think overmixing can definitely make a cake dry! Try mixing just until the ingredients are combined next time. Good luck!
I didn’t have fresh cranberries, so I used frozen (thawed and dried). It turned out more purple than red and a bit soggy in spots, but still tasted good. Fresh is probably best, but it was salvageable.
Cranberry Orange? This cake is a WINNER!
Meh. Not my favorite cake, but at least it was moist.
Not gonna lie, folding in cranberries was messy—berries pop out and stain everything. Still tasted amazing, just prepare for chaos.
Pretty good, but my cake sank a little in the middle. I think I underbaked by like 5 minutes? Flavor is still great though.
Ahh bummer about the sinking—5 minutes can make a difference. I’m glad the flavor came through though! Did you check with a toothpick right at the 45-min mark or let it go a bit longer?
Not my fav, I like chocolate cake better.
Yummy! Fruity and moist! Gonna try again with more cranberries next time. 🍊🍒
More cranberries sound delish! Can’t wait to try my own version now. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Simple and tasty! My 7-year-old could help me make it. We had fun! 😊
I followed the recipe exactly but my cake came out too dense. What did I do wrong?
I tried making this and it was a total flop! My cranberries sunk to the bottom? Help!
Don’t worry! I had the same issue the first time I made it. Try tossing the cranberries in a bit of flour before folding them in. It helps them stay suspended! Good luck!
Flop? Really? Maybe you mixed too much? Or did you forget to sift your flour? Happens to the best of us. Just keep trying, you’ll get it next time!
The batter felt a little thick, not bad, just different from what I expected for a cake. Taste is awesome, but I think my oven runs hot—browned faster on the edges.
Yum! The citrus flavor was so refreshing. I think it’s perfect for brunch. Will make again!
I agree! Citrus flavors are the best for brightening up a dish. Perfect for brunch gatherings. 🍊
I dunno, citrus in cake? Sounds kinda weird to me. Cake should be sweet, right?
Only complaint: 8-inch pan… I thought it would be thicker. Mine was flatter, like “coffee cake” vibes. Maybe I overmixed?
Super easy. Kids helped and we didn’t mess up once. Yum!
Love hearing that—kids helping is the best kind of kitchen chaos 😄 Did you fold the cranberries in at the very end?
I followed it pretty closely, but mine took more like 55 minutes. Still turned out moist and the crumb was nice. Would bake again for sure.
I didn’t have fresh cranberries, so I used frozen ones. The cake turned out okay, but a bit soggy.
Is it really 1.5 cups of cranberries? That seemed like so much!
Super easy to make and looks fancy too! Definitely a keeper for holidays! 🎉
Easy recipe! I substituted butter with coconut oil, and it turned out great! My family loved it.
Too sour for me. Also I forgot the zest (oops) and it just tasted like regular cake with berries. Wouldn’t make again.
It turned out too dry for me. I don’t know if I did something wrong, but not great 😕
Cranberries are bitter tho! Added more sugar but still not sweet enough. Disappointed.
I think I added too much orange juice by mistake. It was super soggy. Note to self – read the recipe carefully next time.
Super easy to make! I even added some nuts to mine. Yummy!
Sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding nuts! What type did you use?
I don’t know, it seems too sweet with all that sugar. Maybe it’s just me… 🤔
Yummy! The flavors are so refreshing! Perfect for brunch!
I totally agree! This cake is a showstopper for brunch. So light and zesty! Can’t wait to try it!
Refreshing? Maybe, but I don’t know about cranberries in a cake. Strange combo, right?
Made this today—so bright and not too sweet. The orange zest really pops, and the cranberries stay juicy instead of turning sad. 10/10 with tea.
Yes! This is exactly how I hope a cranberry orange cake turns out—zesty, not cloying, and the berries still juicy. 🥰 I’m making it again this weekend.
I made this and followed the steps, but mine came out a bit dry at 45 min. Maybe my pan was different? Still tasted great though—orange zest is the star.
Hmmm. This was okay, not mouth watering like I expected. Maybe I did somethin wrong?
I think the recipe is fine. Maybe you just need to add more orange zest next time for a stronger flavor! Just my opinion.
Don’t worry, sometimes baking can be tricky! Did you use fresh cranberries? That makes a big difference!
This cake is my new favorite! 💖 The cranberries give it a nice tartness that balances well with the sweetness.
I tried making this cake yesterday and it turned out amazing! The cranberries really make a difference. Thanks for sharing! 🥳
Sounds good, but I think I would rather use chocolate instead of cranberries. Just me? 🤷♂️
I don’t think this cake is worth the hype. It was kinda dry and not as flavorful as I expected.
Nmmm! I love cake and this one look tasty! Can’t wait to slice it. 😊
Cranberries are too sour for my taste, so I didn’t enjoy this cake much. Maybe add more sugar?
Not gonna lie, I messed up the baking powder or something—didn’t rise much. Could be my oven runs hot. The taste was still there, but it was kind of flat. Lesson learned: check the dates!
Ugh, been there 😩 But honestly “flat” usually points to baking powder/soda trouble or oven temp. Checking freshness (and measuring level) is a big one—good catch!
This cake was amazing! So moist and the flavors are just perfect. Will definitely make it again!
OMG! I almost forgot the orange juice. Should I just use water instead? Help, please!
Using water instead of orange juice will change the flavor a lot! Maybe try adding some lemon juice if you have it. Good luck!
I followed it pretty closely, but mine took closer to 52 minutes. Still turned out fluffy and flavorful though. Next time I’ll toss the cranberries in a bit of flour to keep them from sinking (if that’s a thing).
I followed it exactly except I didn’t sift the flour (oops). Still turned out nice, but the crumb was slightly denser than I expected.
This recipe was a hit at my family gathering! Everyone loved it!
I’m so glad you loved it! This cake is a favorite in my house too. The cranberries add such a nice touch!
Best cake ever! Made it for my family and they devoured it in minutes!
Not sure about 1/2 cup butter + 1 cup sugar… I felt it was a bit heavy. Also, 1 tbsp zest felt low compared to the amount of juice, but I’m picky. Flavor was good, texture just didn’t wow me.
It’s just a cake, I don’t see what the fuss is about. I prefer chocolate!
Chocolate is great, but this cake is really nice too! You might be surprised if you give it a try.
umm why do you add the flour alternately with OJ? I just dumped it all and it was still kinda ok lol. Texture was a bit tough though.
Good question! Alternating helps keep the batter from getting too thick from the flour or too loose from the juice. It keeps the crumb tender—though if yours was a bit tough, you might’ve overmixed after adding everything at once.
I do the same thing you did sometimes—dump it all in—and it still works, just not always. Tough texture usually means it got overmixed or baked a minute too long. But alternating is basically insurance for a softer crumb.
Cake good! Me like orange and cranberry together. Yum!!!
I don’t know… cranberries are kinda sour, right? Won’t they mess up the cake?
Sounds delicious! Orange and cranberry is a perfect combo. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Cranbrry Orange Cake? More like cranberries with a hint of cake. Needs more flavor.
Cake turned out good but I didn’t have any orange juice, so I used apple juice instead. Still tasty!
Made this for Thanksgiving, and it was a hit! Everyone asked for the recipe. Definitely making it again!
Honestly, I always thought cranberries were too tart for cake. Is it really that good? Maybe I’ll give it a try.
That sounds amazing! I’m glad everyone loved it. What made it a hit for you?
Mine sunk in the middle a bit. I think I underbaked, because my toothpick came out “mostly clean” (classic lie to yourself). Also I didn’t sift the flour, so maybe that didn’t help. Still tasted great though—just not pretty.
Yummm, but I used frozen cranberries and it was still tasty! 🍰
So I made this for a potluck and it vanished! Everyone loved it. So easy to make too.
I don’t know why it didn’t rise very well… followed the recipe exactly. Any ideas?
This cake is cute but… mine sank in the middle a bit. Maybe my oven runs hot? Flavor was still good though.
I think I’ll try this recipe! Orange and cranberries? Sounds like a perfect match!
This cake sounds delicious! I love how citrusy and tart it must be with those cranberries. Can’t wait to bake it!
I’m not sure about mixing orange and cranberries. Sounds kinda weird, but who knows? Maybe it’ll be good?
I love cranberry stuff, but I found it slightly dry after a day. Next time I might brush with a little orange syrup or reduce bake time.
I didn’t like the cranberries in it. They get all mushy. Maybe just skip them next time. 😕
Not as good as I thought it would be. My cranberries sank to the bottom. My cousin made a cake like this one and it was better.
Maybe you didn’t mix the cranberries in well enough? They can be tricky! I had the same problem at first.
Made this for a brunch and it vanished fast. The orange zest really makes it smell amazing, and the cranberries give little pops of tartness that aren’t overpowering. I did bake mine closer to 48 minutes but otherwise followed the recipe—perfect crumb!
This turned out really moist and the orange + cranberries combo is perfect. I zest extra because I love the aroma—still baked up great.
Not sure about the measurements. 2 cups flour plus 1 cup sugar seems like a lot? I think my cake sank slightly in the middle and the cranberries were basically all at the bottom. Would try again but with different mixing/folding.
Good flavor, but mine came out slightly dense in the middle even though I baked the full 45 minutes. Maybe my eggs were smaller? Or I might have overmixed after adding flour. Still tasty with tea, just not as airy as I hoped.
Oof, I feel that—dense centers happen a lot with cakes like this. If you overmixed once the flour went in, the gluten can make it heavy. Next time, mix just until you don’t see dry flour.
Mine stuck to the pan even after greasing and flouring. I had to pry it out like it owed me money 😅. Flavor was nice though. I think I’ll switch to parchment next time.
Best cake ever! The orange flavor is sooo good with the cranberries. I could eat the whole thing!
Eh, it was just a cake. Nothing special. My grandma’s cake is way better.
Maybe your grandma’s cake is great, but this one’s got a nice balance of flavors. Give it another shot!
I followed it mostly, but I didn’t sift the flour and my cake was a little denser. Still tasty though—would definitely try again with sifting and maybe fold the cranberries more gently.
I used frozen cranberries because that’s what I had. They bled a lot and the batter got kinda pink, but it tasted fine—just messier than expected.
Made this yesterday and it turned out beautifully—zesty, not overly sweet, and the cranberries gave it little bursts of tartness. The crumb is actually really tender for an 8-inch cake. I did add a pinch of cinnamon just because I’m like that, but the base recipe is solid.
I don’t have fresh cranberries, can I use dried ones? How does that change the taste?
This was a flop for me! The cake didn’t rise properly and turned out dense. Followed the recipe exactly, so I’m not sure what went wrong.
I followed it pretty closely, but mine needed like 8-10 more minutes. Flavor is solid though—bright and not overly sweet.
Not sure about 1/2 cup butter with that much flour—seemed dry after baking. Flavor was good (orange + vanilla), but I’d probably add a touch more orange juice next time or reduce bake time.
Cranberries are so overrated. This cake didn’t wow me.
This cake is AMAZING! The flavors blend perfectly. My family couldn’t get enough! 🍰
Too much orange juice, it made the cake kinda soggy. I’m not impressed. 1/5 from me.
Wow, this cake is so sweet! Might be too sweet for my taste though. You might wanna reduce the sugar. Just sayin’!
I love cranberry + orange together. The batter smelled amazing. I used frozen cranberries and tossed them in a little flour first—helped with sinking.
Yes!! Cranberry + orange is such a perfect combo. Glad tossing the frozen berries in flour helped with sinking—mine usually does that too.
I’m usually skeptical of “easy but fancy” cakes, but this one actually works. Batter was a little thick after folding in cranberries, yet it baked up moist. Next time I’ll probably zest a bit more orange, because the flavor was good but could’ve been louder.