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Cranberry Orange Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.9 from 84 reviews

This Cranberry Orange Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that beautifully balances the tartness of fresh cranberries with the bright citrus notes of orange. Enhanced with a creamy orange cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for holiday celebrations or any occasion that calls for a deliciously festive treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 2 1/2 cups Flour
  • 1 3/4 cups Sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Oil (such as canola oil)
  • 1 cup Fresh Orange Juice
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1 cup Sour Cream (preferably full-fat)
  • 1-2 teaspoons Orange Zest
  • 1 1/2 cups Fresh Cranberries (cut in half)

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cup Butter (softened)
  • 1 (8-ounce) pkg. Cream Cheese (softened)
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Orange Juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
  2. Prepare dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure they are evenly distributed.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the oil, fresh orange juice, eggs, sour cream, and orange zest. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
  4. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender cake crumb.
  5. Add cranberries: Gently fold in the halved fresh cranberries to the batter, ensuring they are evenly dispersed.
  6. Prepare the baking pan: Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  7. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before frosting.
  9. Make the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the orange zest and fresh orange juice. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  10. Frost the cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the orange cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a spatula.
  11. Serve: Slice the cake into pieces and serve. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best texture and tart flavor. Frozen cranberries can be used but may alter the texture slightly.
  • If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar in the batter by 1/4 cup.
  • For extra orange flavor, add zest to the batter and frosting as preferred.
  • This cake can be made a day ahead; keep refrigerated after frosting to maintain freshness.
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

Find it online: https://amandafood.com/cranberry-orange-cake-with-orange-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/