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Cranberry Orange Cake

Cranberry Orange Cake
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This festive Cranberry Orange Cake beautifully combines tart fresh cranberries with bright, zesty orange zest and juice, baked into a moist and tender crumb. Perfect for holiday celebrations or any joyful occasion, this easy-to-make cake offers a refreshing balance of flavors and a stunning presentation that invites seconds.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pan. Zest and juice the orange, rinse the fresh cranberries, and measure all other ingredients to ensure smooth assembly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt for an even rise and balanced flavor.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with sugar, vegetable oil or melted butter, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
  4. Blend Wet and Dry Components: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  5. Fold in the Cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, distributing them evenly without breaking them up too much to avoid color bleeding.
  6. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before removing from the pan.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cranberries and freshly grated orange zest enhance flavor brightness.
  • Don’t Overmix: Stir until combined to avoid a dense cake.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and liquids at room temperature blend better.
  • Check Doneness Early: Start testing the cake around 35 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  • Let Cake Cool Completely: Cooling helps achieve cleaner slices and better flavor development.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange cake, holiday cake, festive dessert, moist cake, cranberry dessert, citrus cake, gluten-free cake

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/cranberry-orange-cake/