Cranberry Orange Cake: A Burst of Citrusy Sweetness ๐ŸŠ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿ’

Elevate your dessert experience with the delightful harmony of tart cranberries and zesty orange in our Cranberry Orange Cake. This moist and flavorful cake is a perfect blend of sweet and tangy, making it a wonderful treat for any occasion. With a burst of citrusy goodness and the bright pop of cranberries, this cake is sure to captivate your taste buds.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Cranberry Orange Topping:

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Instructions:

For the Cake:

  1. Preheat Oven:
  • Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  1. Cream Butter and Sugar:
  • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  1. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
  • Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla extract.
  1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  1. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Mixture:
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  1. Add Orange Zest:
  • Fold in the orange zest, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  1. Spread Batter in Pan:
  • Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.

For the Cranberry Orange Topping:

  1. Prepare Cranberry Mixture:
  • In a bowl, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Mix well.
  1. Top the Cake:
  • Spread the cranberry mixture over the cake batter in the pan.
  1. Bake:
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

For the Orange Glaze:

  1. Prepare Glaze:
  • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
  1. Drizzle Glaze:
  • Once the cake has cooled slightly, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Optionally, sprinkle additional orange zest for a decorative touch.
  1. Slice and Enjoy:
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. Serve and savor the delightful combination of citrusy sweetness.

Cranberry Orange Cake is a dessert that combines the tartness of cranberries with the zesty brightness of orange, so indulge your senses with its vibrant flavors. This cake is a delightful way to celebrate the harmonious union of citrus and berries, with a moist and tender crumb. Enjoy a slice with those you care about and bask in the happiness this delightful creation brings. ๐ŸŠ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿ’โœจ