Quick Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe: Ina Garten’s Festive Joy
Bursting with vibrant citrus notes and a tangy cranberry kick, this Ina Garten cranberry orange cake recipe delivers pure decadence in every slice.
Warm aromas of fresh oranges and bright berries dance through the kitchen, promising a delightful dessert that’s both comforting and elegant.
The cake perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors makes it a standout treat for any occasion.
Garten’s touch ensures a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
Rich cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finishing layer that elevates the entire dessert.
Each bite tells a story of carefully selected ingredients and culinary expertise.
Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a showstopping cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Orange Cake
Brunch Beautifully Paired: Serve this vibrant cranberry orange cake alongside a steaming cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a delightful morning treat.
Dress with Delicate Glaze: Drizzle a light orange-vanilla glaze over the cooled cake, creating a glossy and extra-sweet finishing touch that enhances the cake's citrusy flavor.
Garnish with Seasonal Flair: Sprinkle fresh cranberries and orange zest on top of the cake, or add a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant and festive presentation.
Complement with Creamy Companion: Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to add a luxurious, cool contrast to the warm cake.
Proper Storage for Maximum Moistness
Refrigerate Wisely: Store the cranberry orange cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake covered to maintain its moisture and prevent it from absorbing other food odors.
Freeze for Later: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate texture and fresh flavor.
Slice Before Storing: Cut the cake into individual portions before refrigerating or freezing. This makes it easier to grab a quick slice and helps prevent unnecessary repeated thawing and freezing.
Room Temperature Tips: Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and soften its texture. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain its quality.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 440 kcal
Servings: 8
Every Ingredient in Ina’s Cranberry Orange Cake
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure and tenderness to the cake, ensuring a soft and delicate crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior while keeping the cake moist.
Baking Powder: The rising agent that helps the cake achieve a light, airy texture with perfect lift.
Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile, bringing out the sweetness and complexity of the cake.
For Wet Ingredients:
Vegetable Oil: Creates a supremely moist cake with a tender crumb, ensuring the cake stays soft and fresh longer.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together, add richness, and contribute to the cake's structure and volume.
Orange Juice: Infuses bright, citrusy flavor and adds moisture to the cake, complementing the cranberries.
For Flavor Boosters:
Fresh Cranberries: Bring bursts of tart, juicy excitement and beautiful color throughout the cake.
Orange Zest: Delivers intense, aromatic citrus notes that elevate the entire cake's flavor profile.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, rounding out the cake's complex flavor landscape.
What You’ll Need for Zesting and Mixing
Bundt pan: 10-inch, essential for creating the cake's signature ring shape.
Electric mixer: Crucial for blending ingredients smoothly and creating a uniform batter.
Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining all dry and wet ingredients.
Toothpick: Used to test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
Wire rack: Perfect for cooling the cake evenly after baking.
Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.
Grater: Helpful for zesting fresh orange.
Bake Ina’s Tangy-Sweet Cake in These Easy Steps
Cranberry Orange Cake Adventure
Pan Preparation Ritual A cozy moment to set up your baking stage by generously coating a Bundt pan with nonstick spray, creating a welcoming surface for your delightful cake creation.
Batter Magic Transforming simple ingredients into a vibrant, zesty mixture where flour, sugar, eggs, and orange essence dance together until they form a smooth, inviting blend that hints at the deliciousness to come.
Cranberry Surprise Gently introducing burst of crimson cranberries and fragrant orange zest into your batter, allowing these jewel-like fruits to peek through the golden landscape of your cake.
Oven Transformation Sliding your cake into a warm 350°F oven where culinary alchemy happens, watching the batter rise and transform into a golden, aromatic masterpiece that fills your kitchen with irresistible warmth.
Cooling Celebration Allowing your cake to rest peacefully, first nestled in its pan, then gracefully released onto a wire rack, where it settles into its final, elegant form ready to be shared and savored.
Add-Ins & Substitutes That Work with This Flavor Pair
Expert Baking Tips
Replace cranberries with blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries for a delightful flavor twist that keeps the cake exciting and seasonal.
Add an extra tablespoon of orange zest or replace some orange juice with orange liqueur to create a more pronounced citrus profile that elevates the cake's brightness.
Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze mixed with fresh orange juice or create a cream cheese frosting to transform the cake's appearance and add luxurious moisture.
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the cake's tender texture and delicious taste.
Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness that maintains its incredible flavor.
Ina Garten’s cranberry orange cake delivers a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Seasonal ingredients shine in this elegant dessert that brings warmth and sophistication to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
4 large eggs
2 cups / 400g white sugar
1 cup / 240ml vegetable oil
1 ½ cups / 150g fresh cranberries
3 cups / 375g all-purpose flour
⅔ cup / 160ml orange juice
2 ½ tsps vanilla extract
1 tbsp / 15g baking powder
Zest of 1 orange
½ tsp / 3g salt
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Set oven to 350°F / 175°C and thoroughly spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Components: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder until uniformly blended, creating a solid foundation for the cake.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice, vanilla extract, and salt to the dry mixture. Utilize an electric mixer to create a silky, homogeneous batter with a consistent texture.
Incorporate Fruit Elements: Delicately fold fresh cranberries and orange zest into the batter, distributing them evenly to guarantee a balanced flavor profile throughout the cake.
Bake and Monitor: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the surface for even baking. Place in preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
Cool and Release: After baking, let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes to stabilize its structure. Carefully invert onto a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely for approximately 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Zest Matters: Use fresh orange zest to maximize citrusy aroma and intensify the cake’s bright, tangy flavor profile.
Cranberry Distribution: Toss cranberries in a light dusting of flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking and ensure even suspension throughout the cake.
Moisture Magic: Check cake doneness precisely at 55 minutes to maintain the cake’s signature tenderness and prevent potential dryness.
Cooling Technique: Allow cake to rest in pan for exactly 15 minutes before inverting, which helps prevent structural breakdown and ensures clean release from the Bundt pan.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.