Easy To Make Cranberry Orange Pound Cake Recipe

This Cranberry Orange Pound Cake is a deliciously subtle blend of sweet pound cake base and tartness of the cranberries topped with a divine orange glaze. This festive-colored cake is perfect for Christmas breakfast, holiday party desserts, or DIY gifts!

We’ve been baking up a storm as we get ready for the holidays. Normally at this time of year, my mom and my sister, and I all get together and have a cookie-baking day.

It’s one of my favorite holiday traditions, and a couple of years ago when we couldn’t get together for health reasons, I indulged in my craving for orange cranberry bread.

I also wanted to turn it into DIY gifts for my neighbors because we do a little homemade goodie exchange every holiday season.

And oh my goodness, I am THRILLED with how this recipe turned out!

This recipe is pretty much perfect: it’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and comes out bursting with festive holiday flavors.

This cake has subtle flavors that come together into one insanely delicious (but not overbearing) dessert. Cranberries bring the tart, while orange juice adds a citrusy sweetness that both complements and balances out the cranberries.

And the BEST part is the rich, tender, buttery crumb texture. YUM!

Be forewarned – this isn’t a healthy recipe, but it is a GREAT recipe that’s perfect for the holidays.

Bake this best orange cranberry pound cake just one time, and I bet you will make it every year after. I’m NOT kidding!

How To Make Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

Making this process is similar to making a quick bread – this amazing cake is THAT easy!

Ingredients Needed

This pound cake calls for pretty basic ingredients, but each one serves an important role. The results are a marvelous crumb that you can’t get enough of!

• Butter – Softened but not melted. Butter is the base of pound cake. Some people say to use unsalted, but I used salted without any problems.
• Sugar – To help with creaming the butter and to add sweetness to balance out the tart cranberries.
• Eggs – Provide structure to the cake and bind all the ingredients together.
• Orange zest and juice – The juice from fresh oranges adds a bright citrusy flavor.
• Sour Cream – Keeps the cake from drying out.
• Fresh Cranberries – some versions use cranberry sauce or dried cranberries, but I love going the simple route and using fresh whole cranberries. Yum!
• Flour – I used all-purpose flour, but cake flour would make a lighter, fluffier recipe.
• Baking Powder – leavening agent so the cake rises.
• Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
• Vanilla extract – Adds additional depth of flavor.

For the glaze:

• Orange Zest (orange peel)
• Orange Juice
• Powdered Sugar

Garnish (optional):

• Orange zest
• Dried Cranberries (chopped)

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake Instructions

The process for making orange cranberry pound cake is super simple! Here are step-by-step directions.

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 and butter two 9×5 loaf pans (standard loaf pan size).

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer), cream butter, sugar, and fresh orange zest.

Step 3

Add vanilla and add in eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

Step 4

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

Step 5

Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until well incorporated.

Step 6

Add in sour cream and orange juice and mix well.

Step 7

Add in remaining dry ingredients and continue mixing until everything is well mixed.

Step 8

Fold the cranberries into the cake batter with a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed.

Step 9

Pour batter into the first prepared pan. You’ll need two pans, so evenly distribute the batter between them and spread it out.

Step 10

Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester placed in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 11

Allow the cakes to cool for about 30 minutes in the pans, then remove each cranberry Christmas cake from its pan and allow to cool completely (about 30 minutes) on a wire rack before glazing. 

Make The Simple Glaze

1. Mix powdered sugar, orange juice and orange zest in a medium size bowl until well incorporated.
2. Place the cakes on parchment paper or other surface to catch any drips.
3. Spread the sweet orange glaze evenly across the tops of the cakes.
4. Sprinkle with dried cranberries and orange zest if desired.

Slice and serve your cranberry orange cake.

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake Tips

Although making pound cake is very easy, these tips will help ensure you get the best results every time:

• Level the flour – Scooping could result in using too much, leaving you with a heavy, dry cake. To avoid this, spoon and level the flour to ensure accurate measuring.
• Butter and eggs at room temperature – These should be at room temperature before starting because they will incorporate better create a fluffier pound cake.
• Don’t over-mix – Over-mixing can cause the cake to be touch and dense.
• Grease the baking pan – I used baking spray and bread pans. If you want to use a bundt pan, butter and flour it so the cake will have a quick release.
• Add dry ingredients in groups – the recipe calls for adding in two groups. Mix only until combined so that your cake isn’t too dense.
• If you don’t have oranges on hand, replace the orange zest with dried orange zest. Just remember to use about half as much as the recipe calls for if you use the dried (more flavorful) version.
• I added 4-5 drops of orange essential oil to enhance the orange flavor without making the dough too wet. It’s totally optional but super yummy!
• Use fresh orange juice for the best results (and flavor)!

Tip About The Cranberries

Many cranberry pound cake recipes have a dry texture. I wanted my version to stay moist and delicious, so I added the sour cream. Cream cheese could also do the trick.

I cut my cranberries in half, but that’s not necessary. I have also tried leaving them whole and had equal success with both versions.

Also you could use dried cranberries, but they tend to have a tougher texture (that baking will soften just a tad). I love the addition of the fresh cranberries – AND the color they provide!

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake Recipe Variations

If you love this classic orange cranberry pound cake with orange glaze, you can use the same base (omitting the orange and cranberries) and create some fun variations for other occasions. 

• Change the citrus and fruit. Blueberry and lemon zest would taste amazing!

• Add mini chocolate chips (large ones would since to the bottom).

• Include nuts! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios will add a satisfying crunch.

• Change up the spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg or pumpkin spice would be great choices.

• Add your favorite extract. Lemon, almond, or even peppermint for a special holiday version.

How To Store This Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

Any pound cake leftovers that aren’t eaten will keep well at room temperature for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.

Or keep it in the fridge for up to a week (stored in an airtight container). The cake will taste best at room temperature, so pull it out and let it sit on the counter to warm up before serving.

Can I freeze this pound cake?

Take your baked and cooled cake and wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap. Then place it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you want to serve your orange cranberry pound cake, pull it out of the freezer and put it on the counter to thaw. Allow it to come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

I highly recommend withholding the glaze and adding it after you thaw the cake.

Orange-Cranberry Pound Cake: DIY Gift Idea

This festive cake combines a tart cranberry flavor mellowed out by the sweetness of the cake for a delicious recipe that everyone will beg you to give them. 

With a cake that’s this good, it’s little wonder that this cake makes for a delicious DIY gift or tasty holiday treat for any holiday occasion! Give it to neighbors, teachers, the mailman, friends, family…everyone!

No matter who you share it with, you’ll probably want to have this cranberry orange pound cake recipe on hand to share!

More Christmas Fan Favorites

If you like this recipe, check out these other popular recipes too!

• Christmas Cakesicles (Christmas Cake Popsicles)
• Reindeer Hot Chocolate Cones
• Grinch Fudge (Easy No-Bake Recipe)
• Bite-Size Christmas Tree Brownies
• Cream Cheese Strawberry Santas

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