November 21, 2011
updated
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No one will know this cranberry orange bundt cake is made from a boxed cake mix! The cake is super moist and infused with fresh citrus flavor and tidbits of cranberries!
If you want to go fancy, you can garnish it with sugared cranberries and I explain how to do that below. The frosty-looking berries add a magical touch and more of that tart-sweet goodness we love.
JUMP TO RECIPE
Easiest Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
Who knew you could make such a gorgeous dessert with a cake mix, a cup of OJ, and fresh cranberries?
Every bite has the perfect blend of buttery and tart flavor- not to mention it takes a fraction of the time compared to a homemade bundt cake. Topped with homemade cream cheese glaze every bite is downright heavenly.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this cake happen:
- Eggs: adds structure and fluffy texture.
- Orange juice: sweetens the cake and adds the orange flavor.
- Orange zest: amplifies the orange.
- Cranberries: some go into the batter, and the rest turned into a gorgeous topping!
- Butter: creates a soft texture.
- Yellow cake mix: makes this an easy recipe to whip up!
- Cream cheese: to make a dreamy cream cheese frosting that brings out the citrus flavor.
- Powdered sugar: essential for homemade frosting.
- Vanilla extract: is always a good idea in baked treats.
- Half & half: makes the frosting drizzleable.
Check the recipe card for ingredient amounts and fully detailed baking directions.
How to Make an Orange Cranberry Bundt Cake using a Cake Mix
Grab those ingredients, turn up the holiday music, and let’s make this gorgeous dessert happen!
- Prep
Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly grease a Bundt pan. - Make the batter
Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs, orange juice, and melted butter until combined. Add the cake mix and mix until smooth. - Add the cranberries
Fold in ½ cup of cranberries and pour the batter into the bundt pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top, is golden brown. - Prepare the frosting
While the cake bakes, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a separate bowl. Add the vanilla extract and half & half and blend until smooth. - Drizzle and enjoy!
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cake plate. Drizzle the top with the cream cheese glaze and garnish with sugar-frosted cranberries if using.
The only thing left to do is make yourself a cup of tea or homemade hot cocoa, grab a slice, and enjoy!
*You’ll find the directions to make homemade sugared cranberries in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Cream Cheese Frosting
When it comes to orange and cranberry cake of any kind, cream cheese frosting is KING! Cream cheese has a tanginess that enhances every note of citrus, and my recipe is not overly sweet. Plus, it drizzles over the finished cake beautifully.
Tips & Tricks
Review these tips and tricks so you can step into the kitchen and bake this cake with confidence!
Let it rest
Once the bundt cake is out of the oven, let it rest for 15 minutes before transferring it to a cake plate or cooling rack. If not, it will fall apart.
Grease the pan
Don’t skimp on the baking spray or butter- whichever you use to grease the pan. All the dips and folds in a bundt pan make for a beautiful cake, but it does increase the likelihood of sticking.
Double the recipe
Unlike standard bundt cake recipes, this one can be doubled and baked in the same pan for a taller cake.
How to impress everyone
The sugared cranberries are an option, but they do make a breathtaking garnish atop the frosted cake.
Use fresh orange juice
Want to make this with fresh orange juice? You’ll need 2-3 large oranges.
Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake with Cake Mix!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- ½ cup cranberries
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 box yellow cake mix
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
- 3 tablespoons half & half or milk
Sugared Cranberries:
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup white sugar, divided
- 1 cup cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a Bundt pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, orange juice, and melted butter with a hand mixer until combined. Add the cake mix and mix until the batter is smooth. Fold in ½ cup of cranberries.
- Pour the batter into the Bundt pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a separate large bowl until combined. Add the vanilla extract and half & half and blend until smooth.
- Remove the cake from the pan and transfer it to a serving plate. Drizzle the top with the cream cheese glaze and garnish with sugar-frosted cranberries, if using.
- Sugared Cranberries:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and ½ cup sugar over medium-high heat. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer until the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cranberries. Allow them to soak for 10 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries from the syrup onto the baking sheet. Let them dry for 30 minutes.
- Once dried, sprinkle the cranberries with the remaining sugar and stir to coat.
- Store any leftover cranberries in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Cris
This reminds me of the “Cake doctor” recipes that I love so much! One question though; What is “non jellied” cranberry sauce? It is whole berry cranberry sauce? Or something else?
Laura
Cris- whole berry cranberry sauce. The cranberry sauce can be homemade or store bought. You’ll love the tangyness it adds! Enjoy!