Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Moist and tender cake with a fresh burst of cranberry and orange flavor
• Easy to prepare using cake mix and instant pudding for extra richness
• Homemade orange sauce adds a sweet and tangy glaze
• Sugared cranberries provide a beautiful, festive decoration with a crunchy texture
• Ideal for holidays, brunches, or elegant dessert tables

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cake

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 box (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
• 4 eggs
• 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped (do not thaw frozen cranberries)

Orange Sauce

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup orange juice
• ½ cup butter

Sugared Cranberries

• ½ cup water
• 1½ cups granulated sugar, divided
• 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and dried

Directions

Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, eggs, milk, orange peel, cake mix, and pudding mix until well combined.
3. Fold in chopped cranberries gently.
4. Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Orange Sauce

1. In a saucepan, whisk together sugar and flour.
2. Stir in orange juice and butter.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and becomes smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.

Make the Sugared Cranberries

1. In a saucepan, bring water and ½ cup sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat and stir in fresh cranberries. Let soak for 5 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup sugar over cranberries and toss to coat evenly.
5. Let cranberries dry and sugar crystallize, about 1 hour.

Assemble

1. Drizzle orange sauce over the cooled Bundt cake.
2. Decorate the cake with sugared cranberries before serving.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12-16
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 50-60 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Variations

• Use frozen cranberries year-round but do not thaw before chopping
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch
• Substitute lemon zest for orange zest for a different citrus flavor
• Use cranberry-orange marmalade as an additional glaze
• Dust with powdered sugar if you prefer a lighter topping

Storage/Reheating

• Store cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Orange sauce can be refrigerated separately and reheated gently before serving.
• Sugared cranberries are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries in the cake?

Yes, use frozen cranberries without thawing to avoid excess moisture.

How do I prevent the cranberries from sinking?

Gently fold cranberries into batter and avoid overmixing.

Can I make the orange sauce ahead of time?

Yes, prepare and refrigerate. Reheat gently before drizzling.

What if I don’t have instant pudding mix?

Use an additional ¼ cup flour and increase milk slightly, though pudding mix adds moisture and texture.

How do I store sugared cranberries?

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze the cake?

Yes, freeze wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.

Is this cake very sweet?

The balance of tart cranberries and citrus keeps it bright and not overly sweet.

Can I use a different citrus zest?

Lemon or lime zest can be substituted for a different twist.

How do I get the sugar to crystallize on cranberries?

Ensure cranberries are coated evenly and allow them to dry for about an hour.

Can I use fresh orange juice for the sauce?

Yes, fresh squeezed orange juice works wonderfully.

Conclusion

Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake is a festive and flavorful dessert that brings together the tartness of cranberries and the bright zest of orange in a moist, tender cake. Paired with a homemade orange glaze and sparkling sugared cranberries, this cake is sure to impress guests and delight your taste buds, making it a perfect choice for holidays or special celebrations.

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