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Cranberry Orange Breakfast Cake

A moist, golden breakfast cake bursting with tart fresh cranberries and bright orange zest. Perfect for holiday mornings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 9 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 260

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp orange zest from 1 orange
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup fresh orange juice
  • 0.5 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Mix-ins & Topping
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries rinsed and dried
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting

Equipment

  • 9-inch baking pan
  • Hand Mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Zester

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch square or round baking pan with butter.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, rub the orange zest into the sugar with your fingers until fragrant.
  4. Add softened butter to the sugar and beat with a mixer until pale and creamy (approx 3 mins).
  5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
  6. Stir in half the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and orange juice, then the remaining flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
  7. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries.
  8. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  9. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  10. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.