Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe

If you’re craving a cake that perfectly blends the zesty brightness of orange with the tart pop of cranberries, then you’re in for a real treat. I absolutely adore this Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe because it’s festive, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to pull off even if you’re not a pro baker. When I first tried this cake, my family went crazy for it—it’s that kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug, balanced with fresh citrus zing. Keep reading, and I’ll share everything you need to make this cake your new go-to for celebrations or just sweet moments at home.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients in this Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe work together beautifully to create a dessert that’s fresh, sweet, and perfectly balanced. When you shop, try to get fresh, juicy oranges, and don’t skip on full-fat cream cheese—it really makes a difference in the frosting’s texture and flavor.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake – I sift mine for extra fluff.
• Baking powder: This helps your cake rise nicely and get fluffy.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams better, giving a smooth batter and frosting.
• Orange zest: Adds bright citrus aroma, so zest carefully to avoid the bitter white pith.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly without overpowering.
• Eggs: Bring structure and moisture – always use room temperature for best mixing.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavor with a subtle sweetness.
• Milk: Keeps the cake tender; using whole milk helps the texture immensely.
• Fresh orange juice: Adds natural citrus flavor and moisture.
• Cranberries: Tossed in flour to prevent sinking – fresh or frozen works fine.
• Cream cheese: Full fat and softened for the richest, smoothest buttercream.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream for that perfect spreadable texture.
• Fresh garnishes: Like whole cranberries, orange slices, and thyme (optional) for a beautiful finish.

Variations

I love playing with this Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe to suit different occasions or taste preferences. Feel free to swap out ingredients or add new ones to make the cake your own—it welcomes creativity!

• Nutty Twist: I sometimes fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture and warmth—it’s a family favorite on chilly days.
• Gluten-Free: Using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well, just make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Less Sweet: If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar by about 1 cup, and add a splash of heavy cream to adjust texture.
• Seasonal Flavors: Swap cranberries for fresh raspberries or pomegranate seeds in summer for a fun twist.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and getting your pans ready—grease, flour, and line them with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed so every bite rises consistently.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Zest, and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and orange zest until smooth and fragrant. Then add the sugar, aiming to beat it on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This step traps air which helps your cake stay tender.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Lower your mixer speed and add eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This prevents the batter from curdling. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely extra warmth in the flavor.

Step 4: Alternate Flour and Liquid Additions

Now, alternate adding the flour mixture and the liquids (milk and fresh orange juice) to the batter—start and end with flour. Mix each addition well but avoid overmixing to keep the crumb light. This layering method is key for maintaining a soft and tender cake texture.

Step 5: Fold in Cranberries Gently

Before adding your cranberries, toss them in a tablespoon of flour. This little trick helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking. Gently fold these into the batter, being careful not to break them up too much—you want those lovely bursts of tartness in every slice.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for about 25-30 minutes—test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Let your cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling fully prevents melting your frosting later.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Buttercream

Beat room temperature butter and orange zest together until smooth and creamy. Add softened cream cheese and continue beating until fully combined. Gradually add powdered sugar in half-cup increments, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and whip the frosting on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, then lower speed and beat for another 2 minutes until silky and fluffy.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost Your Cake

Place one cake layer on your stand or plate, then spread about 1 cup of buttercream evenly over the top. Repeat with the next layers and then crumb coat the entire cake – this seals in crumbs and makes final frosting smooth. Chill the cake in the fridge for 20 minutes, then finish frosting the top and sides with the remaining buttercream. I love using a large offset spatula to create soft swirls for a rustic yet elegant look.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Decorate the top with a crown of fresh cranberries, a few orange slices, and sprigs of fresh thyme if you like a pop of greenery and extra aroma. This final touch makes the cake look as stunning as it tastes!

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe

Garnishes

I always garnish mine with fresh cranberries because their tartness complements the sweet frosting perfectly. Orange slices add a beautiful pop of color and a bit of citrus aroma, and thyme sprigs give a fragrant herbal note that’s unexpected but delightful. Fresh herbs like thyme make it extra special for holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

This cake is wonderful on its own, but I sometimes serve it alongside a simple cup of hot tea or coffee to balance the sweetness. For brunch, it pairs nicely with fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait, making it feel like a luxe treat without being overly rich.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered the cake in a clear glass trifle dish with extra berries and orange segments between layers for an eye-catching twist. You can also miniaturize the recipe and make cupcakes topped with the cream cheese buttercream and a single cranberry or orange zest curl on top—perfect for parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. The cream cheese frosting needs to stay cold, but the cake itself stays moist and fresh for about 3-4 days. Just let it come to room temperature before serving—it tastes even better that way!

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, I recommend freezing the cake layers separately before frosting. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling and frosting your Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe. The frosting doesn’t freeze well, so this keeps the texture spot on.

Reheating

Since this is a moist cake, reheating isn’t often necessary, but if you want to warm a slice, I pop it into the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It softens beautifully without drying out. Avoid heating the frosting too much or it will melt, so you might want to scrape some off before warming.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe has become my favorite go-to for a bright, festive dessert that feels elegant but isn’t intimidating to make. It’s perfect for holidays, birthdays, or whenever you want company over for coffee and a sweet slice. I love how the tart cranberries and fresh orange zest wake up the classic cream cheese frosting, making every bite a burst of flavor. Trust me, once you try making this cake, it’ll become a staple in your baking repertoire—I’m already thinking about making it again for my next family gathering!

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