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Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Cake

Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Cake
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This tender, buttery cake bursts with tart cranberries and bright orange zest, topped with a sweet citrus glaze. It’s moist, dense-yet-light, and perfectly balanced between tangy and sweet. A simple dessert that looks elegant with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (4.5 oz / 128g), spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (3.5 oz / 100g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt (2 oz / 57g), at room temperature
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup whole milk (2 fl oz / 60ml), at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (2 fl oz / 60ml)
  • Zest of 1 medium orange (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (2.5 oz / 71g), halved if large
  • For the glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar (2 oz / 57g), sifted
  • For the glaze: 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F / 177°C. Lightly grease a 6-inch round cake pan (3 inches deep) or a 6-cup loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray, then dust with flour and tap out the excess.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Whisking aerates the dry ingredients and ensures the leaveners are evenly distributed for a uniform rise.
  3. In a separate small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, the orange zest, and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Whisk until smooth and fully combined; the mixture should be pale and slightly thickened.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a rubber spatula just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix—this can develop gluten and make the cake tough. The batter will be thick and slightly lumpy.
  5. Gently fold in 1/2 cup halved cranberries using the spatula. Take care not to crush the berries; they should remain intact to create pockets of tart fruit throughout the cake. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw—add them directly to keep the batter cold and prevent bleeding.
  6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with the spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles trapped in the batter.
  7. Bake at 350°F / 177°C for 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden brown, a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, and the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. Rotate the pan halfway through if your oven bakes unevenly.
  8. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then run a thin knife around the edges to loosen, and invert the pan onto the rack to release the cake. Turn it right-side up and let cool completely, about 1 hour, before glazing.
  9. While the cake cools, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon orange juice. Add additional juice 1 teaspoon at a time until the glaze is thick but pourable—it should coat the back of a spoon and slowly drip off.
  10. Once the cake is completely cool, place it on a serving plate and drizzle the glaze over the top, letting it cascade down the sides. Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Store leftover cake tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To freeze, wrap the unglazed cake in plastic wrap then foil; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, then glaze before serving. For reheating a single slice, microwave on high for 15 seconds or warm in a 300°F / 150°C oven for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange cake, Ina Garten, cranberry cake, orange cake, holiday cake, Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas cake, easy cake recipe, citrus dessert, fresh cranberry cake

Find it online: https://inagartendishes.com/ina-garten-cranberry-orange-cake/