Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my favorite holiday tradition: baking my Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake! This cake is like a burst of festive cheer in every bite, with the tartness of fresh cranberries perfectly balanced by the bright, zesty orange. It fills the house with the most delightful aroma that just screams “holiday spirit”! I remember the first time I made it, my family couldn’t stop raving about how it captured the essence of Christmas. Trust me, this cake is not just a treat; it’s a celebration on a plate and a must-have at any holiday gathering!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How to Prepare Instructions
Making my Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake is as easy as pie—well, easier! Let’s dive into the festive fun of baking this delightful treat together!
Step-by-Step Guide
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly and comes out perfectly fluffy!
- While that’s heating up, grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. This step is crucial to help your cake slide out easily once it’s baked.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes—trust me, it makes all the difference in texture!
- Next, add the eggs, fresh orange juice, and orange zest. Mix everything well until it’s smooth. The zesty aroma will already start to set the holiday mood!
- In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together so they’re evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix; we want it tender, not tough!
- Now comes the fun part—fold in the fresh cranberries gently. Don’t mash them; we want those lovely bursts of tartness in each slice!
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. It should look beautiful already!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is key to avoid a soggy bottom!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive flavors that perfectly blend tart cranberries with bright orange zest
- Simple preparation makes it a breeze for bakers of all levels
- A beautiful centerpiece for any holiday table
- Moist and flavorful, it’s sure to impress your guests
- Perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season
Tips for Success
To make sure your Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are some of my top tips! First, always use fresh cranberries; they pack a punch in flavor and keep the cake moist. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar—this will give you that light, fluffy texture we love! And don’t skip greasing and flouring the pan; it’s essential for a smooth release. Lastly, keep an eye on your baking time—every oven is a little different, so start checking a few minutes early to avoid overbaking!
Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are so many tasty variations you can try with this Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake! Swap out the cranberries for chopped apples or pears for a different fruity twist. You could also add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced flavor that’s perfect for winter. Want to make it extra special? Drizzle a simple orange glaze on top after it cools for a beautiful finish!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for about a week. Just make sure it’s well wrapped so it doesn’t dry out! When you’re ready to enjoy another slice, you can either eat it cold or pop a piece in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it up. Just be careful—too long and it might get too hot! Enjoy the festive flavors all over again!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick heads-up: nutritional values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so the numbers I’m sharing here are just estimates. That said, here’s what you can expect per slice of my delightful Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 3g
Enjoying a slice of this cake is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a lovely way to savor the holidays!
FAQ Section
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just fine; just be sure to add them directly from the freezer to avoid extra moisture in the batter.
How can I make my cake more orange-flavored?
If you’re an orange lover like me, you can increase the orange zest to 2 tablespoons or add a bit of orange extract for an extra punch of flavor!
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake actually tastes even better the next day. Just store it in an airtight container, and it’ll be ready to impress your guests when you are!
What can I serve with this cake?
I love serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of orange glaze for extra sweetness. It’s also delightful with a cup of tea or coffee!
Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake: 5 Steps to Festive Joy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive cake combining cranberries and orange for a delightful holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, orange juice, and zest; mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients; mix until just combined.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for best flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Can be served with whipped cream or glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake