This Cranberry Bundt Cake has a soft and moist crumb and is surprisingly easy to make. It’s the perfect Christmas cake covered in a simple orange glaze and studded with Sugared Cranberries.

Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake on a platter with slice removed

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Easy Cranberry Cake Video Tutorial:

If you loved our Cranberry Orange Scones you already know it’s an irresistible flavor combination. This cranberry cake recipe is everything you love about a classic Cranberry Orange loaf but is so festive baked in a bundt pan.

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Why we love Bundt Cakes:

Bundt cakes are probably the easiest kind of cake to make, but it looks super impressive. It’s baked in a single bundt cake pan, and there is no layering or frosting required. A simple glaze is usually all you need.

Bundt cakes typically have a heavy batter that bakes into a rich, moist crumb. It is such a satisfying cake and keeps really well so you can make it ahead.

Cranberry orange cake glazed and topped with sugared cranberries

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake:

This bundt cake has staple baking ingredients and a generous amount of fresh cranberries. You’ll love that juicy burst of fresh cranberry flavor in every bite.

  • Eggs and Buttermilk – add moisture and balance sweetness (make sure they are room temperature)
  • Flour – all-purpose works best. Be sure to measure flour correctly.
  • Butter – creates a moist, rich crumb
  • Oil – use light olive oil or canola oil
  • Vanilla Extract – we use homemade for the best flavor
  • Leavening: Baking powder gives the cake perfect rise while baking soda neutralizes and is activated by the buttermilk
  • Orange zest – from 1 whole orange for the cake and glaze
  • Fresh cranberries – rinse, pat dry, and toss these in 1/2 Tbsp flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom.
  • Sugared Cranberries – an edible decoration which makes this cake look and taste like Christmas morning.
Ingredients for cranberry cake

The Best Glaze for Bundt Cakes:

Most glazes are a simple combination of powdered sugar and some liquid like milk or water. Using orange juice and a bit of orange zest takes this glaze to the next level. We used a similar glaze on our Blueberry Lemon Muffins and they were a hit.

Glazed slice of bundt cake on a plate

How to Make Cranberry Bundt Cake:

A homemade bundt cake is easier than you think. You can make this cake with a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer.

  1. Prep: generously butter a bundt pan and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl on high speed until pale (3 minutes).
  3. Wet ingredients: Add oil, butter, and vanilla, mixing between each addition, then mix in buttermilk. 
  4. Dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients and mix to combine.
  5. Add cranberries and zest: Toss cranberries with 1/2 Tbsp flour and fold them into the batter along with 1 Tbsp orange zest.
  6. Bake: Pour batter into prepared bundt pan. Bake at 350˚F for 55-60 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely before drizzling with orange glaze. 
How to make cranberry cake batter and prep bundt pan

Common Questions:

What is the best pan for bundt cakes? 

Bundt pans come in all shapes and sizes. I use a non-stick bundt pan to ensure the easiest release. Our go-to is a 10″ diameter 12-cup bundt pan which is a standard size.

Can I make this in a smaller bundt pan?

If using a smaller 10-cup bundt pan, you will need to adjust the ingredients proportionally. We have a tool in the recipe card to adjust ingredient amounts (click on the serving size).

Can I substitute dried cranberries?

If using dried cranberries, soak them in some orange juice for at least 15 minutes to plump and moisten them up. Drain well before using.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Frozen cranberries work great and there is no need to thaw.

How to tell when bundt cake is done baking?

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out mostly clean with some moist crumbs.

How to remove bundt cake from the pan?

Once the bundt cake is out of the oven, let it rest for 15 minutes then place a wire rack over the bundt cake and carefully invert using oven mitts (the pan will be hot). You can tap the pan over the rack to help release it.

Why did my bundt cake fall apart?

The most likely culprit is not buttering and flouring the pan sufficiently. A non-stick bundt pan also helps. Under-baking or turning the cake onto a rack without resting can also cause the cake to break.

bundt cake baked in pan

Bundt cakes are so easy to make but they always look impressive. This cranberry orange bundt cake is the whole package – it’s beautiful and the flavor and texture are excellent.

Cranberry Orange Cake Ready to be served

More Christmas Cakes and Desserts to try:

If you love this Cranberry Bundt Cake, then you won’t want to miss these Christmas cakes and our most popular holiday treats.

Cranberry Bundt Cake Recipe

4.96 from 245 votes
Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake on a platter with slice removed
Cranberry Bundt Cake with a soft and moist crumb, orange glaze, and fresh cranberries. Cranberry Orange Cake is the perfect holiday dessert.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Chilling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 people

For the Cranberry Orange Cake:

  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (not hot)
  • 1/3 cup light olive oil or canola oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cups buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp orange zest, from 1 orange, plus more for glaze
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed, dried and tossed with 1/2 Tbsp flour

For the Orange Glaze and Topping:

Instructions

How to Make Cranberry Bundt Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F with a rack in the center of the oven. Generously butter and flour a bundt pan, tapping out excess flour.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs and sugar for 3 minutes on high speed, until pale in color.
  • Add olive oil, then melted butter, and finally vanilla extract, blending between each ingredient then mix in buttermilk until well blended.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt then mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed until no flour streaks remain.
  • Toss cranberries with 1/2 Tbsp flour and fold them into the batter along with 1 Tbsp orange zest.
  • Pour batter into prepared bundt pan. Bake at 350˚F for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with some moist crumbs. Cool 15 minutes in pan then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely before drizzling with orange glaze.

To Make the Orange Glaze:

  • In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a bit of orange zest. Stir together until smooth. You should have a thick pourable consistency. Add more orange juice to thin out the glaze and more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

Nutrition Per Serving

497kcal Calories76g Carbs5g Protein20g Fat9g Saturated Fat74mg Cholesterol190mg Sodium144mg Potassium2g Fiber50g Sugar466IU Vitamin A5mg Vitamin C57mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Bundt Cake Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
497
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Cholesterol
 
74
mg
25
%
Sodium
 
190
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
144
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
76
g
25
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
50
g
56
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
466
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry bundt cake, cranberry cake, cranberry orange cake
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 497
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.96 from 245 votes (159 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Niomie
    January 7, 2021

    Hi could you please tell me how many grams 12tbs of butter is thank you I need to make this today my mum found this recipe can’t wait x

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 7, 2021

      Hi Niomie, our new recipes can be converted to grams, just click on Jump to recipe and click Metric. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Sue
    January 5, 2021

    What an amazing recipe! It’s my absolute favorite now.
    I made it on New Year’s eve. I used a fancy Christmas Bundt cake pan. It looked stunning.
    I told all my friends about your website.
    Thank you for sharing your recipes with us.
    Have a happy New Year!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 6, 2021

      Hello Sue, thanks for sharing your awesome feedback with us. I’m so glad this is now your favorite! Happy New year and have a great 2021!

      Reply

  • Nisa
    January 1, 2021

    One of the most amazing cake recipes! Very delicious.
    I suggest to add only one cup of sugar. I added one and it’s sweet enough. no need for 2 cups of sugar in my opinion.

    Reply

  • Beatriz Shapard
    January 1, 2021

    Wonderful recipe!!! Super moist.
    the only thing I did different is used almond milk and added a tablespoon of lemon juice and let sit for 10 min (Sub for buttermilk)

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 2, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • anne watson
    December 31, 2020

    This cake is absolutely delicious-I also made your recipe for sugared cranberries for a yulelog recipe- I had alot of extra sugared cranberries left over and I used them for this recipe-it turned out great! I also soaked a few sugared cranberries in triple sec-yum!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 31, 2020

      That’s so great, Anne. Thank you for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Alina
    December 28, 2020

    Hi Natasha, how many days in advance can I make this? I need it for Thursday but need to bake it on Sunday. Will that work? Or what dessert do you have that will last that long?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 28, 2020

      Hi Alina, you can store cranberries covered at room temperature in a cool, dry environment for up to 2 days. If the sugar starts looking moist, you can re-roll them in a little more sugar to freshen them up. I haven’t tried making this recipe for more than 2 days ahead of time to advise. You can try my Baklava recipe as you can freeze this for up to 3 months.

      Reply

  • Mais
    December 27, 2020

    I made this cake without the glaze and candied cranberries. It was so so good. My guests loved it and asked for recipe. This will definitely become a keeper and will make it every holiday. Next time I will make the glaze. My company came and I didn’t have time to make glaze 😁

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 27, 2020

      Very nice, it will definitely be so good with the glaze too! I hope you can try that next time.

      Reply

  • Autom
    December 27, 2020

    This recipe has blown me away! I have been making bundt cakes the wrong way all along lol Actually, I think that 1/3 c oil plus you signature method of airating the eggs with butter is the key. Thanks once again, Natasha for clueing me in 😛 Happy holidays!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 27, 2020

      Hello, and you are very welcome! That makes me so happy knowing that you loved this cake. Thank you so much for your perfect review.

      Reply

  • Barbara San Diego
    December 26, 2020

    I made this with soaked dried cranberries. Everyone loved it. Merry Christmas, Natasha! Thank you.🎄❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      Merry Christmas, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Mavis Gevido
    December 26, 2020

    I made it and it was a hit!
    Thanks for this easy and yummy cake recipe Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Mavis!

      Reply

  • ROSEMARIE ST MICHAEL
    December 26, 2020

    Natasha I made this for Christmas including other recipes. OMG this was the best cranberry cake and so moist. My hubby is addicted to it, he wont stop eating it. Thank you for all You do and making me love to cook.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Rosemarie!

      Reply

  • Lolo
    December 26, 2020

    I made this cake for Christmas following the directions and this cake is so good and moist. I love the tangy flavor of the cranberries mixed with the orange flavor. I will be making this cake again. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Lolo!

      Reply

  • CAROLINE OGIBA
    December 26, 2020

    My Dear Natasha,
    Happy Holidays:)
    Happy New Year:)
    Wishing you and family health and abundance of everything.
    I would like to thank you for all your recipes, you are just amazing. I made 2 of the Cranberry Bundt Cakes for Christmas and they came out so good ,family and friends thought that they were out of this world. So easy so good for busy mama. Thank You xoxoxo
    Caroline

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      Hi Caroline! Thank you for this wonderful comment and review! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

      Reply

  • Vajira
    December 26, 2020

    We made this cake. It is really awesome experience. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review

      Reply

  • Gloria S
    December 26, 2020

    My son made this Bundt cake for Christmas and it was absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      So great to hear that, Gloria. Thank you for your awesome feedback!

      Reply

  • Mychel (Michelle)
    December 25, 2020

    I made this cake for my family and it was delicious everybody in my family loved it you are the best Natasha

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 26, 2020

      Hello Mychel, I am so glad to know that. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply

  • Barbara Gallagher
    December 24, 2020

    I only have a 10 cup Bundt pan how do I adjust recipe?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 24, 2020

      Hi Barbara, please see this section in the recipe post: ‘Can I make this in a smaller bundt pan?’ We talk specifically about the 10 cup Bundt pan. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Nicki Pettett
    December 21, 2020

    I made this and wow, beautiful and good! Thank you! Perfect cake for Christmas! Made your sugar cookies and snickerdoodles too. Great! My grands loved them! Wish I could send you pictures!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 21, 2020

      I’m so glad to hear that Nicki, wish I could see the photos! You can share these photos next time on my Facebook page or group so others can see it too.

      Reply

  • Mary Ann DiPardo
    December 20, 2020

    How do you coat the cranberries w/sugar

    Reply

  • Zena
    December 19, 2020

    Can I do without berries

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 19, 2020

      Hi Zena, it wouldn’t be the same cake. The main ingredient in this recipe is cranberry. I haven’t tried a substitution, but that may work.

      Reply

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