Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake

5.0 from 68 votes

Looking for a delicious and festive dessert that will impress your guests? Look no further than this cranberry bundt cake with sour cream!

Loaded with tart cranberries, rich sour cream, this cake is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy.

Plus, it looks absolutely stunning when sliced up on a platter – making it an ideal choice for any holiday or special occasion.

Few desserts are as synonymous with the holiday season as Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake. This delicious cake is perfect for Christmas brunch or any other festive occasion. It’s easy to make, and the results are always beautiful and moist!

Plus, you can make this cake whether you are an avid baker or a novice, as it is a very easy recipe! This cake contains real ingredients that incorporate your favorite flavor combinations.

Ingredients for cranberry bundt cake 

• Granulated sugar
• Fresh cranberries – you can also use frozen if thawed.
• Orange zest
• All purpose flour – sifted.
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Large eggs – room temperature
• Sour Cream
• Vanilla extract – or vanilla essence

Cream cheese frosting

• Cream cheese – room temperature
• Butter – softened and at room temperature. Salted or unsalted butter is fine.
• Pure vanilla extract – or vanilla essence
• Powdered sugar – or pulse some granulated sugar in your food processor to make your own confectionery sugar
• Milk – regular or plant-based
• Pistachios – finely chopped
• Cranberries – chopped (optional)

How to make cranberry sour cream bundt cake

1. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, orange zest, and cranberries and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt to combine. Use a different bowl to combine the sugar, sour cream, eggs, and sour cream until they are completely integrated.

3. Combine the dry ingredients mixture with the sour cream mixture and use a spatula to integrate all the ingredients. Don’t over mix.

4. Pour the cranberries into the mix and stir until they integrate into the batter mixture.

5. Slowly pour batter into a previously greased bundt pan and bake in a preheated to 350ºF/ 180C oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Let it rest for 15 minutes before turning out.

How to make cream cheese glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined.

Add 1 tablespoon of milk and whisk to incorporate, and the glaze is nice and smooth.

You can add more milk (1 tsp at a time) to make the glaze more liquid.

How to store bundt cakes 

Once the cake has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Freezing bundt cakes

You can freeze this cake either with or without the glaze. To freeze it without the glaze, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Then, let the cake thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

To freeze with the glaze, make sure the cake is completely cooled before proceeding. Prepare the glaze as directed and pour it over the cake while it’s still in the bundt pan.

Expert Tips

Check the center of the cake with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean.

Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the batter for a more festive cake.

Let the cake cool on a wire rack after baking to prevent it from getting soggy.

Make sure the butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. This will make for a smoother cake batter.

If you want a Bundt cake with a softer crust, brush the cake with melted butter while it’s still warm.

Add chopped pistachios or tart cranberries as a garnish on top of the glaze for a festive touch.

Use butter or nonstick cooking spray to grease your bundt pan.

Use an electric mixer or a stand mixer to mix your cake ingredients.

Add a squirt of lemon juice to the batter for some added citrus flavor.

Substitutions and variations

• You can use any kind of milk for the glaze: whole milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
• If you don’t have pistachios, you can use any other kind of nut or even chocolate chips.
• You could also add some chopped dried cranberries to the batter for an extra tart flavor.
• Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a deeper flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is so special about bundt cake?

Bundt cake is a cake that is baked in a special pan with a hole in the center. The cake gets its name from the German word “bund,” which means “ring” or “circle.”

The hole in the center of the cake allows for better heat circulation, which results in a more evenly baked cake. Bundt cakes are also known for their distinctive shape and beautiful designs.

What are some common flavors of bundt cake?

Some typical flavors of bundt cake include vanilla, chocolate, lemon, and orange. You can also find bundt cakes made with fruits like cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

What do you put on top of a bundt cake?

There are many different things you can put on top of a bundt cake, including frosting, a simple glaze, powdered sugar, and fruit. You can also simply dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar or serve it plain.

How do you keep a bundt cake moist?

You can do a few things to keep your bundt cake moist, including wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, storing it in a covered container, and keeping it refrigerated. You can also add additional moisture to the cake by brushing it with syrup or milk before serving.

Try this cranberry bundt cake recipe for your next holiday get-together!

This delicious cranberry bundt cake recipe is perfect for your next holiday gathering! The recipe calls for a few simple ingredients, and the end result is a moist, flavorful cake that will be a hit with all of your guests. Be sure to try this recipe out soon!