This moist Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake is chock full of gorgeous cranberries that are bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect cake to serve at Christmas or Thanksgiving. You can even skip the cream cheese icing and serve it as a coffee cake!
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Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
This Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake can go by many names – Orange Cranberry Cake, Cranberry Coffee Cake, Cranberry Cake, etc. But no matter what you call it, this gluten free bundt cake is delicious!
This bundt cake recipe has been adapted from my Gluten Free Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe. So essentially, you could serve this as a coffee cake for brunch if you’d like! If you choose to do that, I would skip the cream cheese icing or use a simple confectioner’s glaze thinned with orange juice.
What You Need To Know About This Cranberry Cake Recipe:
I use fresh cranberries, which are in season in late fall through the winter. Dried cranberries won’t have the same visual effect or enough tart flavor for this recipe. Frozen cranberries can be used, but they’ll increase the baking time significantly.
For best results, I highly suggest using fresh cranberries as called for in the recipe.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.
This Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake was adapted from my Gluten Free Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe. So if you’re looking for another seasonal fruit to try this with, I highly suggest giving that one a try!
Key Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Cake
- Fresh Cranberries – frozen cranberries will increase the baking time significantly and dried cranberries won’t be the same.
- Orange Zest – fresh orange zest gives this cake so much flavor!
- Extracts – I use both orange extract and pure vanilla extract for optimal flavor
- Sour Cream – you can use regular or light in this recipe.
- Cinnamon – just a hint of cinnamon brings a little extra dimension of flavor to the party.
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Equipment Needed to Make a Bundt Cake
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer for creaming the butter/sugar and mixing the batter is ideal.
- Microplane – this Microplane is my favorite for removing the zest from fresh citrus.
- Bundt Pan – a classic, standard-sized Bundt Pan is a must for bundt cakes and coffee cakes.
- Cooling Rack – a cooling rack is necessary to cool the cake completely. It also comes in handy to help invert the cake from the pan.
How to Make a Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
Step 1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and generously spray a bundt pan with non-stick spray.
Step 2. Make the bundt cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Step 3. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes then invert the cake on the wire rack. Let it sit for 1 minute then remove the pan. Cool completely before transferring to a cake stand and icing.
Step 4. Make the cream cheese icing. Frost the cake and enjoy!
Tips for Making a Bundt Cake
- Spray your pan on all sides really well with non-stick spray to prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
- Follow the mixing directions as listed in the recipe.
- Don’t skip the orange zest, it’s essential for that bright citrus flavor.
- Try and divide your batter as evenly as possible. It’ll give you those nice distinct layers between the cake and the cranberries!
Other Gluten Free Cranberry Recipes To Try
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake
- Classic Cranberry Bread – found in The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook
- Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
- Sugared Cranberries
- White Chocolate Cranberry Muffins
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Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups + 1 tablespoon gluten free flour divided (see notes)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 1/2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Zest from 1 medium orange
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
- 1 cup sour cream room temperature (regular or light)
- 2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries roughly chopped
For the Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 oz. cream cheese room temp (from a block)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temp
- pinch of fine sea salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- For the Cake
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and generously spray a bundt pan with non-stick spray.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon gluten free flour, the ground cinnamon, and the light brown sugar. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Add the granulated sugar and orange zest to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar to release the natural oils. Then add the butter to the bowl and cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in vanilla extract and orange extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Mix in 1/3 of the flour mixture followed by half the sour cream. Mix in another 1/3 of the flour until mostly combined and then the other half of the sour cream. Mix in the remaining flour mixture until combined.
- Add 1/3 of the batter to the prepared bundt pan and spread evenly over the bottom. Evenly sprinkle the batter with 1/2 of the brown sugar mixture and 1 1/4 cup of the cranberries.
- Add another 1/3 of the batter and gently spread evenly around the pan over the cranberries. Evenly spread the rest of the brown sugar mixture and cranberries over the batter.
- Spread the remaining batter over the cranberries and smooth out the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until cake tester comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 min. then invert the cake on the wire rack, let it sit for 1 minute then remove the pan. Cool completely before transferring to a cake stand and icing.
- !For the Cream Cheese Icing
- Add the cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth and combined.
- Add the pinch of salt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the bowl. Mix on medium-low until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add additional cream 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, to reach your desired spreading consistency.
- Spread the icing over the bundt. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
- I use my Nightshade Free Gluten Free Flour Blend in this recipe. If your flour blend contains xanthan gum, omit the amount called for in the recipe.
- During the winter when my house is cool, I store this at room temperature. However, it's if warmer, cover well, and store in the refrigerator.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information
Disclaimers
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.
I want to make this ahead for the crowds coming to stay for Thanksgiving. Will it freeze well?
If you have space in your freezer, yes! Wrap it really well in plastic wrap and foil. Place it in a large freezer bag if you have one large enough! Defrost at room temperature and then add the icing once it’s defrosted.
This cake was pretty easy and so delicious! I love any recipe that uses fresh cranberries.
This cake was pretty easy and was absolutely delicious. I love recipes that use fresh cranberries!
Thank Nancy!