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slices of orange layer cake filled with cranberries on white dessert plates
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4.96 from 23 votes

Cranberry Orange Cake with White Chocolate Frosting

This orange cake is filled with cranberry filling and frosted with white chocolate frosting. It's the perfect dessert cake for the holidays after a comforting dinner with lots of turkey and apple sausage stuffing. It's easy to make and crowd pleaser. 
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time45 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time5 hours 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 511kcal

Ingredients

cranberry filling

  • 5 cups cranberries, fresh or thawed
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¾ cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

orange cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

white chocolate frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 6 oz white chocolate bars, melted and cooled
  • 1-2 tablespoon orange juice
  • pinch of salt (if needed)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom and the sides of two 8" (20cm) baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Make the cranberry filling: Place cranberries, water, orange juice, cornstarch, sugar, and cinnamon in a large saucepan and bring over medium heat to a boil. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until the cranberries get soft. Stir constantly. Blend cranberries with an immersion blender or mash with a potato masher to your preference. Cook another 5-6 minutes or until the filling has thickened and reduced by about ⅓. Stir constantly. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. It will thicken as it cools.
  • Make the orange cake: In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl with a stand or handheld mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, and sugar until creamy for about 2-3 minutes. Add 1 egg at a time and mix until fully incorporated. Add vanilla and orange zest and stir to combine. Alternately add dry ingredients, milk, dry ingredients, orange juice, and end with dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Divide batter into the two prepared baking pans equally. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake or the cake will be dry. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Make the white chocolate frosting: Beat butter on medium-high speed until soft and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and beat on medium-low speed until fully combined and smooth. Add chocolate and mix on medium speed until combined and creamy. Stir in 1-2 tablespoon of orange juice depending on the consistency of the buttercream. It should be smooth and creamy. Add salt to your taste.
  • Assemble the cake: Cut a thin layer off the tops of your cakes to create a flat surface. Then cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread ¼ of the buttercream over the cake. The buttercream should be higher around the edges that it holds the cranberry filling inside the cake. Layer with ⅓ of the cranberry filling (where the buttercream is lower). Repeat two more times. Place last cake layer on top and lightly frost the outside and the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Chill 4 hours in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.

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Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 656IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg