This cranberry cake is soft, fluffy and full of delicious cranberry flavor! Drizzled with an orange glaze on top, this cake is perfect for the holidays!

I’m all about eating cake for breakfast, brunch and dessert! Try out this Coffee Cake, this Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake or these amazing Orange Cranberry Muffins!

Delicious Cranberry Cake

So, the big question is do I eat this for breakfast, brunch, or dessert? Well… because of the fruit taste and delicious orange glaze, I totally think this can be eaten at any time of the day! I love a cake that mixes and matches flavors! This one has that cranberry taste mixed into the batter and onto you add in a creamy, slightly orange flavored glaze. When you mix the two together… It’s SOO GOOD!!

Not only do I think that this cake is amazing but I love how easy it is to make!! It only takes 15 minutes to put together and then all you have to do is pop it in the oven and wait! I know, I make that sound easy but when you’re hungry, waiting is the hardest part. It is so good and I love serving it at brunch along with some Apple Streusel Muffins, Blueberry Scones, and this amazing Cherry Almond Cream Cheese Breakfast Braid! Try them all, everyone will go crazy over them!

Ingredients You Need to Make Cranberry Cake

This cake is quick and easy to make! You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry. Especially around the holidays because that’s when we all have cranberries in our fridge already! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

• Butter: I like to use unsalted butter that has been softened to room temperature!
• Orange zest: This fresh flavor really takes this recipe to the next level.
• Granulated sugar: The sugar helps sweeten this up and gives a delicious contrast to the tart cranberries.
• Egg: The egg helps to bind all of the ingredients together!
• Vanilla: This adds a slight flavor to the sweet sugar!
• Flour: All purpose flour is what I used and it works great in this recipe.
• Salt: The salt in the recipe enhances all of the flavors of the other ingredients!
• Baking powder: This is what helps the cake rise and stay soft and fluffy.
• Fresh cranberries: Using fresh cranberries adds a delicious tart flavor to this cake. You can’t have cranberry cake without them!
• Buttermilk: You can use store bought buttermilk but if you don’t have any on hand then try making this homemade Buttermilk instead!
• Coarse sugar: This is for topping on your cake!

Glaze

• Powdered sugar: I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar because this dissolves much faster and creates that delicious and smooth texture.
• Heavy cream: This will mix in with the powdered sugar making it thick and creamy.
• Fresh orange juice: My favorite part of the glaze! This flavor combined with the cranberries is SOO GOOD.

Let’s Make Some Cake!

I love the flavor and the texture of this cranberry cake. It’s perfect for the holidays because of the festive cranberries. But let’s be honest, I bake this all year long!

1. Preheat oven and combine: Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan and set aside. In a medium bowl cream together the butter, orange zest and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
2. Whisk: In a separate mixing bowl whisk together 1 ¾ cup of flour, salt and baking powder. Toss the cranberries in the remaining ¼ cup of flour.
3. Combine and fold in cranberries: Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk, until fully combined. Gently fold in the cranberries.
4. Add batter to pan, bake and let it rest: Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let rest for 15 minutes before topping with the glaze and serving.

Glaze

1. Mix and drizzle: Mix the powdered sugar, heavy cream and orange juice together until smooth. Drizzle across the top of the slightly cooled cake.

More Delicious Cakes to Try

I love baking during the holidays which means that I am constantly trying out new recipes! Here are a few of my tried and true favorites that everyone in my family loves! These recipes are SOO GOOD and will have everyone asking for the recipes! Try them out, I’m sure that you will find a few that you come back to over and over again!

Desserts

Coconut Blueberry Cake with a Lemon Sauce

Breakfast

Incredible Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake

Desserts

Warm Gingerbread Cake with a Caramel Sauce

Desserts

Apple Pecan Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frost…

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Cranberry Cake

This cranberry cake is soft, fluffy and full of delicious cranberry flavor! Drizzled with an orange glaze on top, this cake is perfect for the holidays!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
• Zest from 1 Orange
• ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 Cups Flour Divided
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 2 Cups fresh cranberries
• ½ Cup Buttermilk
• 1 Tablespoon coarse sugar for topping

Glaze

• 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Orange Juice

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan and set aside. In a medium bowl cream together the butter, orange zest and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
• In a separate mixing bowl whisk together 1 ¾ cup of flour, salt and baking powder. Toss the cranberries in the remaining ¼ cup of flour.
• Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk, until fully combined. Gently fold in the cranberries.
• Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let rest for 15 minutes before topping with the glaze and serving.

Glaze

• Mix the powdered sugar, heavy cream and orange juice together until smooth. Drizzle across the top of the slightly cooled cake.