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Cranberry Bundt Cake Recipe (VIDEO)

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 238 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
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

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.96 from 238 votes (159 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Julita
    December 21, 2022

    Hi Natasha, this looks gorgeous and I really want to try this recipe tonight. Anyway, buttermilk is not our pantry staples here so I’m wondering can I use greek yogurt instead of buttermilk? At first i’d like to try your cranberry orange bread & i plan to bake it in bundt pan, but after read your comment for the bundt cake recipe, i end up here. Would love to hear your advice about this. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 22, 2022

      Hi Julita! I’m so glad you’re going to try this recipe. If you have regular milk at home, you can make your own buttermilk using 1 cup of milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice or distilled/white vinegar. Stir and let sit until curdled then it’s ready for use. You may also find this article helpful on how to substitute for buttermilk.

      Reply

  • Amy Wallenwine
    December 20, 2022

    This looks incredible! Does anyone else automatically read the recipe in Natasha’s voice like on her videos? 😂💕

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 20, 2022

      Haha, that’s awesome! I’ll take that as a compliment 😉

      Reply

  • Wendy Boranian
    December 16, 2022

    Hi
    I made this recipe, but I added one banana ( mashed), 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed Orange juice, and 1/2 cup of oil. Oh, and a few extra cranberries, about 1/2 cup.
    It was moist and delicious. I also spooned the flour into the cup. It make the batter lighter.
    Happy cooking.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 16, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Wendy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Scott Petzak
    December 13, 2022

    A couple positive points: the sugared cranberries are easy to make and delicious. The cake was fun to put together and I haven’t used a bundt pan in years!
    With that said…the baking time is way off on this. Mine was very over-baked and turned out DRY DRY DRY! I probably should’ve baked for 45 minutes and checked after that. Sorry, but not a rewarding experience.
    I love your videos! Great personality!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 13, 2022

      Hi Scott! I’m so glad you love my videos. Thank you for the feedback on the recipe. I have not had this problem with this recipe. A couple of things could help. Too much flour could cause them to be dry, watch my tutorial on how I measure flour HERE. Every oven bakes differently so you made need to make some minor adjustments but I highly recommend the use of an internal oven thermometer to see how your oven heats. I hope that helps and thank you for trying my recipe!

      Reply

    • mary scolaro
      December 26, 2022

      I agree, this is a lovely holiday cake, but bake no longer than 45 mins. I followed the recipe and it was away too dry.
      Will try it again, but reduce bake time. Thanks

      Reply

  • Bonnie
    December 9, 2022

    Hello! Can I add some orange juice to the cake batter to give it more orangey flavor? If so, like a 1/4 cup? Would I need to omit a bit of another wet ingredient to balance it? Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 9, 2022

      Hi Bonnie! I have not tested that to advise, but you could experiment with it. I would opt for orange extract instead if I were wanting to make the orange flavor more intense.

      Reply

  • Gloria Greene
    December 9, 2022

    Hi I’m wanting to make this recipe as cupcakes for an event. How many cupcakes should it make? Baking time?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 9, 2022

      Hi Gloria, I haven’t tried that yet to advise, but I think making them mini may work. I saw that someone else commented,” I made some mini ones today and they sure are pretty with the sugared cranberries.” but did not mention the cooking times.I hope this helps!

      Reply

  • Patty
    December 7, 2022

    Hi Natasha! My daughter and I made this cake for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. My dad had a small piece because he is diabetic and he said it was the best cake he’s ever had. I want to make him one for his Birthday. Do you think I can making it with the Baking Splenda?

    Thanks in advance

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 7, 2022

      Hi Patty! I’m so glad your family loved this recipe. I have no experience baking with sugar-free so I am not sure how it will turn out. Please share if you experiment with it.

      Reply

  • Linda
    December 5, 2022

    Good Morning Natasha. This cake is absolutely the best. Every Christmas season I end up making at least 6 – 10 to give as gifts and this year is no different. I have two in the oven as we speak. They are always met with appreciation. So again, Thank You for all you do. Can’t wait for your CookBook. HUGS

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2022

      Hi Linda! That’s wonderful! These are great gifts. I’m so glad they are enjoyed.

      Reply

  • Dorothy Scallon
    December 5, 2022

    We don’t care for cranberries. Could I make it with raspberries? And cut back on sugar.? Please and thanks.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2022

      Hi Dorothy! I think raspberries would work but I have not tested it to advise. If you experiment, let us know how it turns out. You may also enjoy my blueberry lemon cake. Many of my readers have reported making this with raspberries.

      Reply

  • Glenda Summerlin
    December 3, 2022

    Hi, I love your recipes, when is your cookbook coming out? I plan to try this cranberry orange cake today!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 3, 2022

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes, Glenda! Thank you for your lovely review! My book is due to come out Fall of 2023! We’re so excited!

      Reply

  • Deborah
    November 23, 2022

    Hi Natasha. This cake looks scrumptious. Just purchased cranberries to make and bundt pan greased and floured! Please could you confirm how many grams 12 tablespoons of butter is as the metric conversion hasn’t registered for the butter. Many thanks. Happy baking!👩🏻‍🍳

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 23, 2022

      Hi Deborah, If you scroll down to our printable recipe card, most of our recipes have a metric conversion option on the printable recipe card. We are currently working on adding metric measurements to all of our recipes, but it is taking some time to add them one at a time. Thank you so much for being patient! In the meantime, check out our post on measuring which should help. 12 tbsp of butter is about 170 grams. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Sally
    November 17, 2022

    I made this cake & it is very good. Only thing I would do different is to add more cranberries. My guests loved it too.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 17, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Sally! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Lynda Fast
    November 12, 2022

    Why do you use both olive oil and butter in the bundt cake? Why not just all butter?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 12, 2022

      We’ve had good results in the crumb/texture using a combination.

      Reply

      • Dorothy
        December 14, 2022

        Hi Natasha, I love this recipe. How can I make it in a small Bundt cake pan. How do I adjust the ingredients? Thank you.

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          December 14, 2022

          Hi Dorothy! I haven’t tested it in different sizes to provide exact instructions. You can scale down the recipe servings at the top of the recipe card if you’d like to make less batter. You’ll need to watch it in the oven, it will bake faster if you are using a smaller pan.

          Reply

  • Virginia
    November 2, 2022

    All I could find in the store was 1 percent buttermilk. Can I use this instead of the full fat buttermilk in the crandberry bundt cake? I’m making this today. I’ve enjoyed watching you make all kinds of things and have made your chocolate cake that my husband and family loves. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 2, 2022

      Hi Virginia, I have not tested that but it could worK! We’d love to know how it goes if you do an experiment.

      Reply

  • Pam Thompson
    October 22, 2022

    Can I use this recipe and make individual serving size Bundt cakes? Catering a small Christmas party and want dessert to be self serve.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 22, 2022

      Hi Pam, I haven’t tried that yet to advise, but I think making them mini may work. I saw that someone else commented ” I made some mini ones today and they sure are pretty with the sugared cranberries.” but did not mention the cooking times.I hope this helps!

      Reply

  • Lorraine
    October 8, 2022

    I love your website. I love your recipes. They cater to my cooking style. You are also very entertaining in your videos Whenever I am looking for a particular recipe you seem to have it.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 8, 2022

      Thank you, Lorraine! I’m glad to hear you enjoy my recipes.

      Reply

  • Jane smith
    September 24, 2022

    Very very nice…
    Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
    It was a total hit with the family.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 24, 2022

      That is the best when the family loves what we moms make. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Rebeca
    August 8, 2022

    Hello Natasha, I would like to know if I can make the glaze and save it to use it the next day?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 8, 2022

      Hi Rebeca, I have always used the glaze fresh. It’s likely it will harden if left for a later time.

      Reply

  • Melissa
    February 19, 2022

    Fantastic cake!!! This was so good. I can’t wait to have it again. I will be making this cake year after year. Sooooo good!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 19, 2022

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Melissa!

      Reply

  • Alla
    January 17, 2022

    This is just such a wonderful cake, moist and fluffy and yummy and also beautiful. I made it a few times and every time it just flew away. Natasha makes it so easy to follow. Thank you so much Natasha!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 17, 2022

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Alla! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

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