01/15/2025
Orange Spice Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with Sugared Cranberries 🍊✨🍰
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 large oranges
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
For the Sugared Cranberries:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for simple syrup)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease and flour a bundt pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and smooth.
4. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter mixture and beat until fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
6. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the orange juice, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
7. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Glaze:
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice. Add more juice as needed to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled cake.
For the Sugared Cranberries:
11. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
12. Stir the cranberries into the simple syrup, ensuring they are evenly coated. Remove them from the syrup with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to dry slightly (about 30 minutes).
13. Once sticky but not wet, roll the cranberries in the remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar until well coated.
14. Arrange the sugared cranberries on top of the glazed bundt cake for a festive and delicious garnish.
Chef's Tip: For a deeper flavor, prepare the cake batter the night before, cover it, and leave it in the fridge overnight. This resting period enhances the spice profile and makes the cake even more aromatic! 🍂