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Home » Recipes » Cakes & Cupcakes » Cranberry Orange Holiday Cake

Cranberry Orange Holiday Cake

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Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe – perfect for a Christmas wedding or a holiday party. It’s easier to make than it looks!

Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe - perfect for a Christmas wedding!

I think this cake is one of the prettiest things I’ve ever created. I originally shared the recipe on the Mark & Graham blog (one of my favorite places for personalized holiday and wedding gifts), but I wanted to share it with all of you here this year!

Traditional holiday cranberry bread gets an upgrade as a fluffy layer cake and this ‘naked’ cake style is doable no matter what your baking skill level. No fancy icing tricks, all you do is slap a layer of frosting on each cake layer and you’re done! No crumb coats, no piping… The rustic result is all part of its charm. Topping the cake with sugared cranberries is also super easy and absolutely stunning.

Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe - perfect for a Christmas wedding!
Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe - perfect for a Christmas wedding!

This cake would make a fabulous Christmas wedding cake, or a stunning end to a holiday dinner party. I’m definitely going to make it again this year, and turn it into a holiday tradition! If you’re making it in advance, just make sure you keep extra sugar on hand to refresh the sugared cranberries before serving. They tend to soak up the sugar as the cake sits.

Mark & Graham makes this gorgeous glass cake stand, which sadly isn’t available this year, but there is a smaller version that is equally lovely. They also offer free monogramming if you’re looking for a really special wedding present.

Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe - perfect for a Christmas wedding!

Thanks for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Bloglovin’, Snapchat (@asideofsweet), or Twitter. You can also subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and random musings from me.

Cranberry Orange Holiday Cake Recipe

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Cranberry Orange Holiday Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe – perfect for a Christmas wedding or a holiday party. It’s doable no matter your skill level. Originally published on the Mark & Graham Blog.

  • Author: Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 15-20 people 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Holiday Cake Ingredients

  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon (13 grams) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
  • 4 eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (245 grams) milk, at room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups (250 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Zest of one orange

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

  • 18 ounces (510 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup (275 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or orange juice
  • 3 1/4 cup (400 grams) powdered sugar

Sugared Cranberries Ingredients:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries

Instructions

Make the cranberry layer cake:

  1. Prepare three 8-inch cake pans by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until soft and pale yellow, about 1-2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides and beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  5. With the mixer on low, add the flour and milk in alternating additions, finishing with the flour. Do not overbeat.
  6. Coarsely chop the cranberries or pulse a few times in a food processor. Stir into the cake batter along with the orange zest.
  7. Divide batter into prepared cake pans and shake slightly to level. Place on middle oven rack and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in cake pan for five minutes then remove from pan and transfer to wire rack. Remove parchment paper round and let cool completely.

Make the cream cheese frosting:

  1. Combine the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl and beat on medium until smooth.
  2. Add the vanilla extract, brown sugar, and Grand Marnier. Beat on medium until combined. Add the powdered sugar in several additions and mix on low until incorporated.

Make the sugared cranberries:

  1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cranberries and heat for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to wire cooling rack. Let dry for at least one hour.
  2. Roll cranberries, a few at a time, in remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar until coated. Let dry for at least one hour, or overnight.

Assemble the cake:

  1. Place a cake layer on a platter that fits in the refrigerator. Cover with one-third of the cream cheese frosting and use an offset spatula or knife to level. Chill for 10 minutes. Repeat, alternating cake and frosting, finishing with the final third of the frosting. Top with sugared cranberries. Dust with an additional layer of granulated sugar immediately before serving.

Notes

If making in advance, sprinkle cranberries with additional sugar immediately before serving.

Keywords: cranberry orange holiday cake recipe, cranberry orange cake recipe, homemade holiday cake, homemade cranberry orange cake recipe, best cranberry orange holiday cake

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Amazing rustic layered cranberry orange holiday cake recipe - perfect for a Christmas wedding!

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November 6, 2016  •  Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Holiday Recipes, Party Recipe Ideas, Recipes 12 Comments

Comments

  1. Shannon says

    November 7, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Yum! I love “naked cakes” – I find the minimalism of them so pretty. Those cranberries are SO gorgeous, they look snow-kissed. And you already know I LOVE the boozy secret ingredient 😉 It’s seriously the perfect match with cranberries and the vanilla creaminess – okay now I am TOTALLY craving this cake! I will absolutely give it a go! xx SS

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 17, 2015 at 6:34 am

      Yay! Thanks so much Shannon! Every time I look at this post I’m craving it too! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Miranda | Miranda's Notebook says

    November 8, 2015 at 1:43 am

    Fabulous post Kelly! That cake looks incredible – just the perfect statement cake for a holiday gathering. xxx

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 17, 2015 at 6:35 am

      Thanks so much! I’m debating making it instead of pies this holiday season!

      Reply
  3. Katie | lovely letters says

    November 9, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    This looks amazing!!! Both delicious and stunning.

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 17, 2015 at 6:35 am

      Thanks so much Katie! I wish you could have tried it!

      Reply
  4. Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says

    November 10, 2016 at 7:11 am

    This looks amazing! And looks perfect for the holidays!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 10, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      Absolutely! It’s so festive!

      Reply
  5. Melissa Howell says

    November 18, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    Holy oh my gosh! I totally have to make this for Christmas this year! I’m going to need to throw it onto my Pinterest board for my Christmas Cakes Roundup!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      November 18, 2016 at 9:49 pm

      Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing it Melissa!

      Reply
  6. John says

    November 23, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    How does this cake transport the next day? thanks

    Reply
  7. Darlene says

    January 2, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    Made this using boxed yellow cake mix. Used cranberries,orange and a few mini chocolate chips. Was yummy.. icing as directed on your recipe.

    Reply

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San Francisco Food, Fashion, Travel Blogger

Hi! I’m Kelly. I live in San Francisco with my husband, Pat, and our puppy, Maddie. Here you’ll find recipes, DIYs, style, travel & a glimpse into our adventures. To learn a little more about me, Click Here.

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