There’s something incredibly comforting about a homemade bundt cake, especially when it’s filled with bright citrus notes and bursts of tart cranberries. This Orange-Cranberry Bundt Cake is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and buttery flavors, making it ideal for winter holidays, brunch gatherings, or cozy weekends at home. Every slice is soft, moist, and filled with the vibrant taste of fresh oranges and juicy cranberries.
The batter starts with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry: flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and baking powder. What makes this cake special is the addition of freshly squeezed orange juice and zest, which infuse every bite with natural citrus aroma. Fold in fresh or frozen cranberries to add a delightful tart contrast that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can toss the cranberries in a bit of sugar before mixing them into the batter.
Once baked, the cake emerges golden and fragrant, with cranberries peeking through the tender crumb. Let it cool completely before adding a glaze. A simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh orange juice gives the cake a glossy finish and an extra layer of flavor. For a festive touch, sprinkle some finely grated orange zest or a few sugared cranberries on top.
This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of cinnamon tea or Irish coffee, and it’s versatile enough to serve as a dessert or an afternoon treat. It keeps well for several days, maintaining its moist texture, and can even be frozen for later enjoyment. The combination of citrus and cranberries makes it a cheerful dessert during colder months, bringing a burst of color and freshness to any table.
Whether you bake it for a holiday gathering or simply to brighten your day, this Orange-Cranberry Bundt Cake is sure to impress. It’s easy to make, beautiful to serve, and filled with flavor that celebrates the best of the season, sweet oranges, tart cranberries, and the simple joy of homemade baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 3 eggs large
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and gradually add it to the creamed mixture alternately with the orange juice.
- Fold in the orange zest and chopped cranberries until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition
Yummy! 😋
Made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! It went faster than the pumpkin pie! 🍰🦃
The recipe says 2 cups of flour but my mom always said cakes should have less flour? Not sure what happened??
Pretty good… but where’s the chocolate? I think this would be better with some chocolate chips. Just sayin’.
I can totally see your point! Chocolate could add a nice touch. Maybe I’ll try it next time! 🍫
This cake was amazing! The orange flavor really pops and the cranberries add a nice tartness. Definitely making it again!
I followed the recipe but my cake came out super dry 😢. Any tips for keeping it moist?
Why do you need orange zest? Is that really necessary? Seems like a lot of work for nothing.
I don’t like cranberries, so I substituted them with blueberries. It was still yummy!
Yum, yum, yum!!!
Good recipe, but I thought the powdered sugar was too sweet on top. Less is more, I say!
I’ve never baked a bundt cake before but this was pretty simple! Thanks for sharing! 🍊
Easy recipe, but I had to use frozen cranberries. Still turned out good. Thumbs up!
I followed the recipe but my cake came out dry. Maybe I baked it too long? Not too happy.
This cake is absolutely delicious! The orange and cranberry combo is perfect. Will definitely make it again!
Is it really necessary to use fresh cranberries? I think the canned ones would be just as good.
Honestly, I messed up: I forgot to sift the flour/baking powder and it tasted a bit gritty. Learned my lesson—will try again with sifting.
I mean… if you forgot to sift, gritty makes sense. But 2 cups flour + baking powder should still kinda blend, right? Did you mix long enough or maybe your cranberries were too wet? Either way, try again 😅
Good on you for owning it! Sifting really does help with that gritty texture—especially with baking powder. I bet your next batch will come out super smooth.
The zest really makes a difference. I used fresh orange juice and it tasted way more “real” than the bottled stuff. Also, greasing the bundt pan well saved me—no sticking at all.
I tried it but i think my oven ran hot cuz mine was kinda dark before 55 mins. I still used the zest and squeezed juice tho—maybe i shoulda chopped the cranberries finer? Tasted good anyway, just not as pretty lol.
Yes!! Fresh zest + juice really does make it taste like you actually used real oranges (not that sad bottled flavor). I also greased my bundt pan like the instructions say and it came out perfect—no drama. 🍊
Looks easy. I would prob add walnuts too tho. 55-60 mins is perfect cuz i don’t want to babysit the oven 😅
No joke it smells amazing while baking. “Bundt” is a weird word tho 😂 but this is worth it.
Meh. Too much orange juice maybe? Mine tasted watery and the cranberries sank. I think I’ll try again with less liquid or more baking time.
Cake gooood!
Yum! 😋
This is such a festive flavor profile. I love that it’s not overly complicated—cream butter/sugar, add eggs, alternate dry and orange juice, easy. Great for holidays.
Not sure about creaming butter with sugar for just “light and fluffy” — how long is that really? I’d guess 3-5 minutes but my stand mixer is weak lol.
Honestly I think you’re right to question it—“light and fluffy” can mean different things. For a small/weak stand mixer, I’d aim for about 4-6 minutes on medium-high, scraping the bowl once or twice. It should look paler and slightly airy, not just “mixed.” If it stays greasy and yellow, go a bit longer.
So easy to make! I added some walnuts for extra crunch and it turned out great!
I kinda messed up and didn’t cream long enough (I was rushing). Ended up more “crumbly” than “light,” but it tasted fine—my guests didn’t complain lol.
Crumbly is kinda expected if you rush, but I’m surprised it still tasted fine. Did you maybe use butter that wasn’t soft enough? Also 55–60 min seems long for a bundt—could’ve dried it out. I’d try reducing time by 5 min next batch.
Honestly that’s totally relatable—creaming is one of those “small step, big difference” things. If it still tasted good and your guests were happy, you basically won anyway. Next time just give the butter/sugar a little extra time and you’ll get that lighter texture.
This cake is absolutely delicious! The flavors blend so well. My family loved it!
Tasted good but it looked awful. The frosting was all over and a mess. Not a good spring dessert!
I think 2 cups flour is a lot for a bundt this size? Mine came out a little dense. Flavor was there, but it needed more lift.
2 cups isn’t crazy for a bundt, but dense usually screams either too much flour (packed cup), older baking powder, or oven running cool. Did you use fresh baking powder and preheat fully? Mine always lifts when I cream the butter/sugar well.
I get what you mean. I’ve made bundts where 2 cups flour can tip dense if the batter gets overmixed or if the flour wasn’t really sifted/light. Try sifting and measuring by spooning into the cup next time—also don’t beat after you add the flour.
I don’t really bake. Is this sumthin I can do if I’m a beginner? Need more details!
Pretty good but mine sank in the middle a little. I baked the full 60 minutes and checked with a toothpick—maybe my oven runs hot/cold? Still tasty!
The ingredient list looks legit, but 1/4 cup powdered sugar dusting feels like not enough for a bundt? Maybe I’m just extra. Still, I’d eat this.
Followed the recipe pretty closely. The flavor combo is awesome, but my bundt didn’t pop out clean at first—next time I’ll grease more aggressively and maybe flour the pan too.
Kinda dry, not what I expected. Maybe I overbaked it? Not sure if I’ll try again.
Dry? Mine turned out perfect. Maybe not enough juice? Or you let it cool too long in the pan? Just a tip, don’t give up!
I find it hard to believe it was dry! I just made it and it was super moist! Maybe it was overbaked? Give it another shot, they can be tricky sometimes.
This sounds dangerously good—orange + cranberries is a combo I can’t resist. The baking time note is helpful too. Can’t wait to try it for brunch.
So good! The powdered sugar dust is the finisher, but I also brushed mine with a little orange juice glaze and it took it over the top.
This sounds wonderfully bright—orange + cranberries in a bundt is such a classic holiday vibe. I’d probably add a pinch more zest just because I can’t resist.
I tried something like this once, and I added extra zest like you said—though I accidentally used more orange juice than the recipe. Still tasted great, just took longer to bake. I’d probably keep the zest but watch the liquid next time.
Yes!! Orange + cranberries is such a festive combo. I love that it’s a bundt too—always looks fancy with minimal effort.
Made it last weekend and it actually worked! Cake was moist, and the cranberries gave little pops of tart. Would definitely bake a little less next time since my oven runs hot.
Nice! I love when it actually comes out moist like that 😊 I agree—bundt cakes can brown fast if the oven runs hot. Next time try pulling it a few minutes early or lowering to 340°F and you’ll be golden. Did you end up baking closer to 55 or 60?
I subbed dried cranberries because I couldn’t find fresh. Still good, but the texture was a bit different and it felt slightly drier. Not bad though!
Glad it still worked! Dried cranberries can be a little chewy and they soak up moisture, so it makes sense it felt drier—fresh have that juicier pop. Next time you could rehydrate them in warm orange juice for a few minutes before folding in.
Wait… sift the flour with baking powder—okay. But do you toast the cranberries or nah? Mine just turned into soggy bits last time.
To be honest, I’d toss them in a little flour first? Toasting sounds nice but I’m not sure it helps. Mine came out ok without toasting though 🤷♂️
I don’t toast them. Just fold the chopped cranberries in—if you’re getting soggy bits, it’s usually because they’re very wet/over-chopped or the batter got overmixed. Also make sure you bake the full 55–60 until the toothpick is clean.
The instructions are clear, and I like that it says “freshly squeezed” orange juice. I used store-bought once for another cake and it tasted flatter—this one should be better.
This sounds incredibly bright and festive—orange + cranberries in a bundt is such a classic. I’d probably add a little vanilla just because I’m me 😄
55-60 minutes might be a little long depending on your oven and bundt pan color. Mine always runs hot, so I’d start checking around 45-50.
Good point! I’ve noticed bundt pans (and darker ones especially) can finish way faster. I usually check with a toothpick at ~48 minutes and then adjust from there.
Mine took like 70 minutes last time… I think people are missing that cranberries add moisture? Maybe 55-60 is fine for lighter pans but not for thicker/cheap ones. 🤷♀️
I followed the steps closely, but mine was a little dense in the middle even though the toothpick came out clean. Not sure if I overmixed the batter or if my oven runs hot. Still tasty, just not as fluffy as I hoped.
I’m skeptical about baking powder amount with 2 cups flour. If the cake rises too much, you’ll get a weird domed bundt. Anyone else experience that?
That’s a fair concern. If someone packs the flour too tightly or uses old baking powder, it could over-rise. Also, bundt pans are notorious for weird shapes if the batter is too aerated.
I’ve made it a few times and 2 tsp baking powder for 2 cups flour worked fine for me. Mine didn’t dome—more like a nice even top.
Can’t believe it uses only 2 teaspoons baking powder. I was skeptical, but it actually baked up nicely. The crumb stayed tender.
Same! I thought 2 tsp baking powder would be way too little, but mine rose fine and the crumb was really tender too. Nice little surprise.
Not sure I get the measurement—2 tablespoons orange zest vs 1 cup juice. I feel like it might be too much juice and not enough zest, but we’ll see? Also my bundt never releases clean unless I grease like a maniac lol.
This cake smells like winter in the best way. The orange zest pop + cranberries is such a good combo—mine baked right in the 58-minute window too.
Right?! The orange zest + cranberries combo is perfect for that cozy “winter” vibe. I’m glad yours hit the 58-minute sweet spot—mine usually runs closer to 60 too. 😄
Made this for brunch and it was a huge hit. The orange zest smell while it baked was unreal—moist and not too sweet. Would absolutely make again!
Brunch win! The orange zest smell is seriously the best part—glad it stayed moist and not too sweet. Did you use fresh cranberries or frozen?
I’m a little skeptical about the texture from creaming butter and adding flour/juice alternately—sometimes bundts get dense. But the baking time looks reasonable, so maybe it’s fine?
I tried orange juice instead of fresh squeezed once and it tasted kinda flat. Yours says freshly squeezed—good call. This recipe looks worth the effort.
I followed the steps exactly, but my cake domed weird in the pan and the center took longer. Still tasted great though—next time I’ll check oven temp with a thermometer.
Not bad, but mine was a little dense. I think I overmixed after adding the flour. Still tasty though—just more “snack cake” than “wow.”
Totally hear you—once flour goes in, bundt cakes can go from tender to “dense snack cake” real fast. I always mix just until the flour disappears and then stop. Did you also fold the cranberries in by hand?
Wait, I think dense might also be the baking powder? Like if it’s old, the cake won’t rise right. I’ve had that happen before. Anyway yours still sounds good—orange + cranberries is hard to mess up.
Good recipe, but sifted flour step is real important. I skipped it once and it was a little lumpy. Don’t skip it, folks.
Honestly I expected more tartness from the cranberries. I used fresh like the recipe says, but it was more sweet than tangy. Might add extra zest next time.
I made something similar once and the hardest part was getting the zest right. Your steps are clear, and I like that you alternate flour and juice—should keep it tender.
Totally agree about the zest being the tricky part—if you grate too deep it turns bitter. I also like your flour/juice alternation idea; it really does keep the crumb tender. Nice write-up!
I tried a bundt once and I swear the cranberries sank 😅 But this recipe seems more controlled. Question: do you really use 1/2 cup butter? also my oven runs hot so I’d check at like 45 min. Looks good though!
Cranberries got a little tart for my family—next time I’ll chop them finer or add a tiny bit more sugar. The orange flavor is perfect!
Too much orange juice?? Mine was really wet, and I had to bake longer. Still decent, but I’d reduce the juice next time.
The instructions are pretty straightforward. I like that it says freshly squeezed orange juice—usually people skip that part and the flavor suffers.
I used store-bought orange juice once and it still turned out… but I guess freshly squeezed would be better. My bundt also took closer to 65 min so maybe watch it near the end.
Totally agree—freshly squeezed OJ makes a big difference. The zest too? That’s what keeps it from tasting flat.
This cake is like sunshine with a tart twist. I zested extra orange and used frozen cranberries (thawed). Turned out great and definitely not bland.