Cranberry Orange Layer Cake – Easy, Festive, and Delicious Dessert

At Eminent Recipes, every dessert begins with a love for comforting, homemade food shared with family. This cranberry orange layer cake reflects that passion—simple ingredients, reliable techniques, and flavors that feel special without being complicated. With bright citrus, tender cake layers, and a balanced sweetness, this is the kind of cranberry orange layer cake recipe I make for gatherings, holidays, or anytime I want a dessert that feels both nostalgic and elevated.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cranberry orange layer cake recipe is everything a home baker wants—reliable, flavorful, and designed for real life. Inspired by old fashioned cranberry orange layer cake traditions and modern bakery techniques, it delivers soft layers, vibrant citrus flavor, and just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. Whether you prefer a dried cranberry orange cake or fresh cranberries, this recipe adapts beautifully.

You’ll love how approachable this easy cranberry orange layer cake is. Simple steps, pantry-friendly ingredients, and the option to customize with sour cream or even an orange cranberry cake using cake mix make it ideal for busy schedules. The texture rivals a cranberry orange cake Taste of Home fans adore, while the flavor nods to a Mary Berry cranberry and orange cake style—classic yet refined.

From holidays to everyday celebrations, this best cranberry orange layer cake stands out without being complicated. It’s family-friendly, customizable, and dependable, making it one of those recipes you’ll return to again and again when you want the best cranberry orange layer cake with guaranteed results.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This cranberry orange layer cake recipe relies on simple, well-balanced ingredients that work together to create soft, flavorful layers and a creamy, citrus-forward frosting. All-purpose flour and leavening agents provide structure, while butter and sugar create a tender crumb similar to an old fashioned cranberry orange layer cake. Fresh orange zest and juice add brightness, giving this cake the fresh flavor found in a Mary Berry cranberry and orange cake. Sour cream plays a key role, making this one of the most moist and reliable versions you’ll try—perfect if you’re looking for the best cranberry orange layer cake with bakery-style texture. Cranberries, whether fresh or dried cranberry orange cake style, add tart contrast and festive appeal. The orange cream cheese frosting balances sweetness and tang, bringing everything together for a finish reminiscent of a cranberry orange cake Taste of Home readers love.

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch two-layer cake):

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 ½ cups fresh or dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon flour (to toss cranberries)

For the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh cranberries
• Orange slices or curls
• Sugared cranberries or rosemary sprigs

How to Make This Recipe

Making this cranberry orange layer cake recipe is straightforward and rewarding, even for beginner bakers. The method follows classic baking principles used in an old fashioned cranberry orange layer cake while keeping the process simple enough for an easy cranberry orange layer cake. Creaming the butter and sugar properly creates light, tender layers, while fresh orange zest and juice infuse the batter with bright citrus flavor. Sour cream ensures moisture and richness, giving this cranberry orange layer cake with sour cream a soft crumb similar to the best cranberry orange layer cake found in bakeries. Folding in cranberries at the end prevents bleeding and keeps the texture balanced. The orange cream cheese frosting brings everything together, delivering a smooth finish reminiscent of a cranberry orange cake Taste of Home–style dessert with modern appeal.

🛒 Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round pans for this cranberry orange layer cake recipe.
• In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to create the base for an easy cranberry orange cake.
• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, following the technique used in the best cranberry orange cake recipe.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla for classic cranberry orange cake flavor.
• Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream to form a smooth batter, key for a moist cranberry orange layer cake with sour cream.
• Toss cranberries with flour and gently fold them in, ideal for fresh or dried cranberry orange cake versions.
• Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 30–35 minutes until golden and set.
• Cool completely, then frost and assemble to finish the best cranberry orange layer cake with clean, even layers.

Expert Cooking Tips

Perfecting this cranberry orange layer cake recipe comes down to small but important details. Using fresh orange zest enhances aroma, while properly prepared cranberries prevent sinking. These tips reflect techniques used in both modern honey cranberry orange cake styles and traditional old fashioned cranberry orange layer cake recipes. They help ensure you achieve the best cranberry orange layer cake every time, whether you prefer fresh or dried cranberry orange cake variations.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Toss cranberries in flour to prevent sinking in the cranberry orange cake recipe
• Use room-temperature ingredients for an easy cranberry orange layer cake
• Choose sour cream for richness in a cranberry orange layer cake with sour cream
• Enhance flavor with extra zest for Mary Berry cranberry and orange cake results
• Adapt with cake mix for a quick orange cranberry cake using cake mix
• Chill layers before frosting for clean assembly

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This cranberry orange layer cake recipe brings together the perfect balance of citrus brightness and cranberry tartness in a soft, moist cake. Inspired by classic old fashioned cranberry orange layer cake traditions and modern twists like a Mary Berry cranberry and orange cake, it’s family-friendly, easy to customize, and ideal for holidays, celebrations, or everyday indulgence. With options for dried cranberries, sour cream, or even a cake mix adaptation, this best cranberry orange layer cake recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite.

Cranberry Orange Layer Cake

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: 40–45 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A bright, festive cranberry orange layer cake bursting with citrus flavor and tart cranberries. Soft, moist cake layers infused with fresh orange zest are stacked with a creamy orange-kissed frosting—perfect for holidays, celebrations, or anytime you want a bakery-style showstopper.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch two-layer cake):

For the Cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
1 ½ cups fresh or dried cranberries
1 tablespoon flour (to toss cranberries)

For the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

Fresh cranberries
Orange slices or curls
Sugared cranberries or rosemary sprigs

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream, mixing until just combined.

Toss cranberries with 1 tablespoon flour and gently fold into the batter.

Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

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Step 2: Make the Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla until fluffy and spreadable.

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Step 3: Assemble the Cake

Level cake layers if needed.

Place one layer on a serving plate and spread frosting evenly on top.

Add the second layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.

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Step 4: Decorate

 

Garnish with fresh or sugared cranberries and orange slices for a festive finish.

Notes

• Flavor Boost: Use freshly zested oranges—this makes a big difference.
• Dried Cranberries: Soak in warm orange juice for 10 minutes before using.
• Make Ahead: Bake layers a day in advance; frost before serving.
• Extra Moist: Sour cream is key for tender layers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Layer Cake
• Method: Baked / Layered
• Cuisine: American