There seems to be two distinct camps when it comes to Cranberries, those who love them and those that do not. Guess which side I’m on? I LOVE Cranberries and every Fall I buy several bags to put in the freezer to use over the next many months. Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Relish, Cranberry Chutney, Cranberry Muffins, Cranberry Scones, Cranberry Apple Crisp and more! I already have a few loaves of Cranberry Orange Bread in the freezer so I thought I’d try my hand at creating a Cranberry Orange Cake. Those two flavors go together perfectly, just like bread and butter. This cake is rather dense, more of a coffee cake texture but it is jam packed with fruit and nuts and just bursting with flavor. It’s pretty too. Bright ruby red fruit and flecks of Orange Zest with every bite. Topped off with a Confectioners Sugar drizzle it is really delicious. I wasn’t sure if Sparky would like it but he said, “yep, this one’s a keeper,” so I decided to share it with you all. Cranberries, they’re not just for Thanksgiving, but something to enjoy year round.
This is what we’ll need.

Servings | Prep Time |
15 servings | 15 Minutes |
Cook Time |
45-50 Minutes |
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This cake uses Eggs as the only leavening, so it's important to beat them the full 5 minutes until they are a light lemony color and will sheet off the back of a spoon. Every bite gives you a mouth full of Cranberries with the great flavor of Orange. The nuts provide just enough crunch to add needed texture. Yummy! Drizzling a Confectioners Sugar Icing over the top and you have a pretty darn perfect cake!
Pre-heat oven to 350°
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- 3 Large eggs
- 2 Cups sugar
- 1/2 Cup butter softened
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable Shortening
- 1 Tsp Orange Extract
- 1 TBSP orange zest about one Orange
- 2 Cups AP flour
- 2-1/2 Cups whole Cranberries roughly chopped
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts
- 1/2 Cup confectioners sugar
- 1-1/2 TBSP water
- Place the Eggs and Sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low-med for 5 minutes until Lemony colored and slightly thickened. Add the Butter, Orange Extract and Orange Zest. Beat until combined, about 1 minute. This should "sheet off a spoon," so you know it is the right consistency.
- Stir in the Flour by hand, a half cup at a time until combined. Then stir in the chopped Cranberries and the Walnuts.
- Like this
- Spread into a greased 9x13" pan and smooth.
- Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about one hour.
- In a small bowl, combine the Confectioners Sugar with the water. Spoon into a Sandwich sized bag. Cut off the tip and pipe the Icing all over the cake.
- That's it. Enjoy!
- Thank you all for stopping by today. We are all so busy these days , but I hope we can all take a moment to give Thanks for what we have and a prayer for what w will leave for our children
- Until next time, Journey On! Hugs and much love from me, Karen, TJG
- PLEASE: Stop by my website and leave me a comment. I love hearing from you all! www.thejourneygirl.com
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