Combining the refreshing flavors of the citrus with a tart cranberry sauce, this citrus cranberry cake is a delicious twist to the classic holiday desserts!
Today we’re breaking the traditional, just a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still love chocolate and peppermint, but a change is good.
Who says a cake has to be round? No one!
Who says a Christmas dessert can’t be a citrus cranberry cake? No one!
Exactly my point! Thank you!
Few weeks ago I got home from the grocery store some beautiful mandarins. After eating like half of them (maybe more) I thought about making a citrus dessert, but wasn’t quite sure what so I poured myself a cup of tea and start thumbing some of my cookbooks until I got to one old collection of holiday recipes from Better Homes and Gardens. Coconut Cranberry Torte.
I know, what’s that got to do with Citrus Cranberry Cake, you may ask. Well except leaving the coconut out, I pretty much kept the recipe and added some more citrus to the cake and on top of the cake.
The cake is a little bit of work, but what layer cake comes together in a jiffy?
First you have to bake the layers in a jelly roll pan. Once the cake is baked the fun begins. With a little patience and a measuring tape you cut the cake in three rectangles and sandwich them with the cranberry sauce you made while waiting for the cake to bake.
Last you dress the cake with a little bit of icing and freshly cut mandarin slices.
The cake turned out amazing!
It’s light and the citrus touch makes it so refreshing! The tart cranberry sauce layers turn this cake into a mouthful of flavors.
The top layer is flooded with the icing and the longer it stays, the juices from the mandarin slices get sucked into the cake making it even more irresistible.
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Post slightly updated from December 2012.
If you enjoyed this Citrus cranberry cake, you may also like
No bake cranberry cheesecake pie
Happy baking,
Roxana
Gorgeous and stunning. Wow at the colors. An edible work of art for sure.
This is such a beauty, Roxana! Had to share it :).
woah, this is just gorgeous!
HOLY CRAP Roxana. This dessert is SO gorgeous!
Roxana, this looks fantastic, so pretty and festive looking!
What a stunning cake!!! Perfect for the holidays!!!
It look so delicious.Love it very much.Perfect for the holidays!!!
Roxana, this such a pretty cake with all those mandarins on top. Lovely photos.
This looks amazing! I am blown away by your photography… They are totally Magazine quality! What a delicious recipe 🙂
This is beyond gorgeous!
Can anything be more beautiful? Love the colors n it’s beautiful…haha looks like I will keep appreciating it 🙂
You are simply amazing and continuously inspired me with every post. I love citrus and sweet combination rather than just sweet (but I like both and cannot pick one). This cake looks so special with being layered and drizzled icing… gorgeous photography and loving your your detail attention (the half peeled orange is so cute!).
I have no words to describe this cake other than Masterpiece! WOW!!! It’s like looking at the front cover of some famous Magazine…you did an amazing job Roxy!!!! I love it!
This cake is Amazing, Roxana! It belongs on the cover of all the foodie magazines.
Such pretty colors. I also love the untraditional shape. This would be a great Christmas dessert!
Beautiful cake, I love the flavors and colors in your layer cake-everything works so well together;-)
Did you blanch the mandarin slices?
No I didn’t. Just sliced and placed them on the cake.
Roxana
As I have about five bags of cranberries in the fridge and am hosting Christmas, I was wandering through the web looking for ideas. Your cake looks like it is the winner for Christmas dessert. Especially after a big meal, such a light and fruity cake will be great.
My one question is about how it will work to make ahead. Any recommendations you could offer? I’m thinking that maybe having the pieces ready to go and then assembling it all after dinner (during the digestion/napping/walking the dog phase).
Hi Jen,
You can make the cake in advance, wrap it in plastic foil a couple of times and freeze it. Take it out the night before and leave it in the fridge. Just before dinner pour the icing and place the citrus slices.
Roxana
A cake definitely doesn’t have to be round and I’m all for a citrus cake during the holidays, especially when it’s as gorgeous as this! Great job – I need to make this ASAP!
What a beautiful cake! I ususally go for Chocolate cake at Christmas as it’s a winner every time…but I may let my adventurous side out this year and try this as well! I’ll try a test cake a few days before Christmas first though…obviouly so I can make sure the cake will turn out right…not just so I get a whole cake to myself…honest 🙂
This cake is beautiful! I love anything with cranberries. It’s very festive looking. BTW…..great site too!
I love the look of this and like the idea of a light dessert. Now, pardon my ignorance, but when you serve the cake, what do you do about the mandarins still with the rind on? Do you remove them? Eat them together with the rind?
Our family Christmas is early (Sunday), but I’m hoping you can answer before that so I can make use of this great recipe:) Thanks.
Hi Lisa,
We sliced the cake with the mandarin slices and everyone removed the rind just before eating. You can also remove the peel if you prefer just before adding the slices on the cake but I think they (the slices) hold their shape better if they are left with the peel on.
Roxana
Absolutely stunning cake!!!
This cake looks amazing! I would like to make it to take to a birthday celebration but would need to make it about 24 hrs in advance. Should I refrigerate the cake overnight and only add the oranges on top right before the party? Thanks for any help!
Hi Jeannette,
yes, you can make the cake in advance. Just add the icing and the citrus slices few hours before serving.
Have a great birthday party!
Roxana
This is such a pretty cake…and I know it’s bound to be delicious. Over from Mostly Homemade.
so gorgeous, your pics are fantastic! i have citrus trees that ripen next month, this will brighten my winter months~
Love this Roxana! Sharing on Pinterest and FB, thanks for linking up at Marvelous MOndays with us!
Oh my goodness this looks like Heaven! I totally love chocolate and peppermint too, but I agree that something different is good. Fabulous pictures and recipe. Pinned it.
What a gorgeous dessert! I love cranberry and orange together too; a delicious pair!
Hi Bec,
I really don’t know what pan to advise you to use. You could try and use two 11X7″ baking pans (also known as brownie pans) but the layers will be a little different.
Roxana, this cake is seriously GORGEOUS. My jaw dropped.
Oh yes please! I would have such cake for Christmas definitely! I love cranberry and orange combination!
It’s a nice break from all the peppermint 🙂
Thanks Medeja!
Love this so much, Roxana! Citrus and cranberries are such lovely and bright winter flavors 🙂 this cake sounds delicious.
Hi Rachel,
I love citrus and cranberry together too!
Roxana
Roxana this is gorgeous as always! So great for the holidays too!
Hi Carrie! So glad to see you back to blogging! Can’t wait to read your baking adventures!
Thank you for posting this beautiful work of art. For the klutz in me….did you cut through the oranges and cake with a serrated knife? I don’t want to beat it up because of my lack of “carving” skills. LOL.
Thank you!
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Thanks so much for your sweet words!
I use a very sharp knife to cut the cake and clean the blade after each slice.
Thanks,
Roxana
Roxana, OH EM GEE!!! As soon as I saw this stunner on your facebook page I had to come over and take a look at this recipe. This cake is SO gorgeous (aided of course by your beautiful photography skills) and the flavour combo is fantastic. God I wish I had a slice right now (get.in.mah.belly!). I am seriously blow away.
This cake is simply gorgeous!
Thanks Emily!
Gorgeous cake, I Pinned it 🙂
Oh Roxana, this is an amazing cake!!!! I love the flavours, and your photos are just stunning!
What a beautiful and festive cake!