Description
A delicious and festive Cranberry Orange Layer Cake topped with a light and fluffy Citrus Buttercream, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (for buttercream)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (for buttercream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for buttercream)
- Pinch of salt (for buttercream)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped cranberries, orange zest, and orange juice until evenly distributed.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the buttercream, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until combined.
- Add the orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of buttercream on top, then add the second layer and repeat. Place the third layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
- Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to set the buttercream.
Notes
- For a twist, try adding a layer of cranberry sauce between the cake layers for extra flavor.
- You can also substitute lemon juice and zest for a lemon-flavored buttercream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 100mg