The Best Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake Recipe
Experience the best orange cranberry coffee cake – a fusion of zesty orange and tangy cranberries, a morning treat like no other!
Do you associate certain flavors with specific times of the year? I think most of us do. Fall is all about pumpkin spice and caramel apples. Berries mean summer to me, and Christmas tastes like peppermint, chocolate, and cranberries.
The recipe I am sharing with you today takes a simple coffee cake and adds tart cranberries and a burst of orange flavor, for a combination that is perfect for the holiday season.
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This orange cranberry coffee cake recipe is the perfect addition to a holiday brunch or enjoyed any time of day as a snack with a cup of coffee or tea. And while the flavor combination in this sweet buttery cake is ideal for Christmas time, I make it all year round.
You can also customize the base recipe by switching out the fruit you use. How about blueberries and lemon zest? Or maybe cherries and almond extract? Give it a try and let me know what your favorite combination is.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (Frozen cranberries will also work.)
- 2 tsp orange zest (This is about what you get from one medium orange.)
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange extract (Try substituting almond extract or vanilla extract for the orange.)
- 2-4 Tbsp milk
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or coat with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add wet ingredients. Mix until a lumpy batter forms. Fold in fruit.
4. Place batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. A rubber spatula works well for this.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. If a toothpick comes out clean, you know it’s done.
6. Drizzle with the icing mixture. Cut into slices and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks:
- You can use a stand mixer or an electric mixer for this recipe. Work at low speed though. You don’t want to work the batter too hard.
- Instead of just using plain cranberries, make a layered version of this yummy coffee cake. Once it is mixed, pour half of the batter into your pan. Add a layer of cranberries or cranberry sauce and top with the remaining batter. You could even run a skewer through the batter a few times to give the cranberry layer a bit of a swirl, if you want.
- If icing isn’t your thing, try adding a streusel topping to the top of the cake before baking.
- Store leftovers at room temperature, either in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
FAQ:
- I don’t have orange extract. Can I use orange juice in the icing instead? Yes! Orange juice makes a great substitute.
Whether you serve it for Christmas brunch or as a holiday dessert, I know today’s recipe for cranberry orange coffee cake is going to be a hit.
For more delicious orange and cranberry recipes, try this cranberry orange pound cake, orange cranberry muffins, or these cranberry orange cinnamon rolls. They are all wonderful options this time of year.
If you love this orange cranberry coffee cake recipe please give it a five-star review and share it on facebook and pinterest so others can enjoy it too.
Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 tsp orange zest
- Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 2-4 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or coat with non-stick baking spray.
- 2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- 3. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add wet ingredients. Mix until a lumpy batter forms. Fold in fruit.
- 4. batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. A rubber spatula works well for this.
- 5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. If a toothpick comes out clean, you know it’s done.
- 6. Drizzle with the icing mixture. Cut into slices and enjoy!
