This cranberry sour cream Bundt cake makes a festive addition to any table, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert! It's an easy cake recipe that comes together in a mixing bowl, with no electric or stand mixer required. With a tender crumb and orange glaze, this cake is a winner for the holiday season or any special gathering.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love this Recipe
• 📋 Key Ingredients in this Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake
• Best Results: Baking in Grams
• Recipe Substitutions and Variations
• 💡Pro Tip: Prep your Bundt Pan
• More Tips for Baking Success
• 📖 Bundt Cake Baking Instructions
• 🍊 Instructions for the Sweet Orange Glaze
• ✨ Finishing Touches
• ❓ Recipe FAQ and Troubleshooting
• 🎉 Party Servings and Dessert Table Pairings
• More Fall Recipes
• Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake

For more holiday baking projects and fall recipes, try some of the desserts below:

• 🍏 Mini apple Bundt cakes - Bring in fall flavor and cozy vibes with these mini apple cakes. Glazed or unglazed, they are such a fun treat.
• 🎄 Christmas tree sugar cookies - Imagine these adorable frosted homemade sugar cookies alongside this cake. Basically a dream team! Or go with my Christmas wreath sugar cookies for a different but seasonal shape.
• ☕️ Dirty chai cake - For another cake that's fitting for the season and cooler months, this spiced layer cake is a stunning crowdpleaser.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Bright Cranberry Flavor: Fresh cranberries add just the right amount of tartness, giving this cake a burst of natural flavor that balances perfectly with the sweet glaze.
• Moist and Tender Crumb: The combination of oil and sour cream ensures that each slice is rich and soft without being overly dense.
• Easy and No Mixer Required: A whisk and a spatula are all you need here. The recipe keeps the prep simple and cleanup minimal!
• Great for Any Occasion: Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, or serve it as a centerpiece dessert at your next gathering.

📋 Key Ingredients in this Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake

The recipe card contains all the steps and ingredients, but below are a few key items that bring flavor and color to this cranberry sour cream Bundt cake. 

Canola Oil: Provides moisture without overpowering flavors, keeping the cake light.

Sour Cream: The addition of sour cream adds both richness and tenderness to the crumb, balancing the tart cranberries.

Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries offer a naturally tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, citrusy glaze and creates a delicious balance of sweet and sour flavors.

Vanilla Extract: A generous amount adds warmth and depth to the cake's flavor.

For the glaze:

• Sour Cream: Sour cream makes the glaze creamy and smooth, adding a hint of tang that complements the cranberries.
• Fresh Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, natural citrus flavor that brings out the tartness of the cranberries.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze for the perfect pourable consistency.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Almond Extract: For a nutty twist, add two teaspoons of almond extract to the batter.
• Texture and Flavor: You could also garnish the top of this cake with crushed pistachios or pecans. Both would pair nicely with cranberries and add some texture and flavor.
• Tart Cranberries: Increase the tartness by using cranberry sauce jam on top of the cake. Or dress up the cake with fresh cranberries for a more sophisticated look.
• Simple Glaze: Swap out the orange juice for lemon juice in the glaze if you prefer a sharper citrus flavor.
• Greek Yogurt: For a lighter option, substitute Greek yogurt in the glaze. You could also use it in the cake batter if you don't have sour cream on hand.
• Ground Cinnamon: I add 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon to my cranberry Bundt cake for a more seasonal feel.

💡Pro Tip: Prep your Bundt Pan

All the pretty grooves of a Bundt cake pan need to be properly coated so that it releases your cranberry sour cream bundt cake once it's baked.

Coat the Bundt pan thoroughly with melted butter, vegetable oil, or shortening, using a pastry brush or paper towel to get into all the crevices, including the center tube. Dust the pan with flour, then tap out the excess over the sink or trash.

For easy release, use a high-quality pan and grease it well, or try Baker’s Joy or a homemade baker’s spray.

If sticking persists despite proper prep, it may be time to replace your pan, as older pans can lose heat conductivity.

More Tips for Baking Success

Below are some general tips to keep in mind when baking this cranberry bundt cake recipe and any recipe, really:

• Check the Freshness of Your Baking Powder and Soda: Test baking powder with hot water or baking soda with vinegar to make sure they’re still active.
• Set Up Your Ingredients: Lay out everything you need before you start baking for a smoother experience.

📖 Bundt Cake Baking Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F, and dive into the steps here.

Prepare the Pan: Generously butter and flour your Bundt pan to prevent sticking. If you prefer, you can also use a non-stick spray.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon for a warmer, cozier flavor. Set aside flour mixture for later use.

Rub Zest with Sugar: In a large bowl, rub orange zest into sugar with clean hands for about 1 minute to release oils.

Mix Wet Ingredients: Add oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Mix until well-combined (about 2 minutes). You're welcome to use a hand or electric mixer, but a whisk works just fine.

Add the Eggs and Sour Cream: One at a time, add the eggs, mixing slowly after each addition until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the sour cream until the wet ingredients are smooth and creamy.

Combine and Fold: Gradually add the flour mixture to the large bowl with the wet ingredients. Gently mix until just combined to avoid overmixing. Using a spatula, fold in the fresh cranberries for that signature tart pop of flavor.

Bake the Cake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and gently tap it on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake for 55-65 minutes in preheated oven or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. In the last 10 minutes, cover the cake with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.

Cool the Cake: Allow the Bundt cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

🍊 Instructions for the Sweet Orange Glaze

Make Glaze: Whisk together sour cream, fresh orange juice, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Add more sugar to thicken the glaze and juice to thin it.

Glaze cake: Add glaze to a measuring cup to pour over your cranberry orange Bundt cake.

This simple orange glaze should be thick enough to coat the top of the cake without running off entirely and creates the perfect balance of flavors alongside cranberry.

✨ Finishing Touches

Garnish: Add more cranberries as well as orange slices to the top of the cake.

❓ Recipe FAQ and Troubleshooting

Storing and Serving

Room temperature - This Bundt cake stays fresh for 2-3 days and is easy to prepare in advance. Store individual slices or the entire cake in an airtight container at room temperature (around 70°F).

Refrigerating - For a longer storage time, keep your cake in a cake carrier or airtight container in the refrigerator between servings. Bring out the cake about half an hour before serving, as it'll be more moist and flavorful at room temperature.

Freezing - This cake also freezes well as one intact cake or individual slices.

If storing in pieces, add wax or parchment paper between the slices for easier serving.

To enjoy, bring cake from the freezer to refrigerator the night before serving. Let slices or full cake come to room temperature before serving.

If you're short on time, you may also gently warm pieces of cake for a few seconds on low speed in the microwave. 

🎉 Party Servings and Dessert Table Pairings

If you're prepping a Christmas brunch, holiday spread, or dessert table of any kind, here are some pairings for this cranberry orange bundt cake!

• These brown butter sugar cookies have a cozy feeling that's perfect in wintertime. Their flavor is excellent, with minimal prep time and effort. 🧈
• These mascarpone cookies with pumpkin bring in more fall flavors. 🎃
• If you love glazed desserts as much as I do, try this white chocolate raspberry loaf cake. Or for another Bundt option, this raspberry chocolate Bundt cake is perfect for your chocolate-loving guests. The pops of pink coloring on top of both treats come from freeze dried raspberries. They add stunning color to any tray of desserts.

More Fall Recipes

Print