This Cranberry Orange Almond Cake is the perfect holiday dessert. Fluffy almond cake, a bright cranberry-orange filling, and creamy almond mascarpone buttercream make it a holiday dream. You won’t be able to stop at just one bite!
The holiday season is upon us. I’m going to blink, and suddenly twinkle lights will be everywhere, garland will be wrapped around the house, and the sweet smell of holiday desserts and big meals will fill the air. It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year. I love getting together with family to cook, play games, and sit around a fire talking and laughing all night. This year, I’m extra excited because I get to host family, and I’ve already started planning my Thanksgiving menu!
Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes, starting with this Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream. I’ve made this cake for both Christmas and Thanksgiving for years, and it’s become a staple at our table. I’ve also baked it for markets, and it’s always been a huge hit! I hope you’re ready for all the Thanksgiving desserts I have on the lineup (some of them you can see in the post below!)
This cake is the perfect holiday dessert—topped with powdered sugar, fresh rosemary, and filled with the most amazing orange cranberry filling. The light, whipped mascarpone buttercream complements the soft almond cake beautifully. I couldn’t wait to get this recipe on the blog for you to try this holiday season!
Here are five reasons to make the Cranberry Orange Almond Cake for your holiday gatherings:
Deliciously Seasonal Flavor: The vibrant combination of cranberry and orange gives this cake a bright, seasonal taste that perfectly complements holiday meals. It’s a refreshing twist that everyone will love (and beg for more!)
Perfect Holiday Presentation: With its beautiful layers, creamy almond mascarpone buttercream, and charming decorations, this cake is sure to impress your guests It adds a touch of wintery elegance to any holiday table.
Easy to Make Ahead: You can prepare the cake layers and cranberry filling in advance, making it a stress-free dessert option. This means you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends, or prepping savory dishes!
Favorite Holiday Dessert: This cake has become a favorite at holiday gatherings, with its moist texture and balanced flavors appealing to both kids and adults. It’s a guaranteed hit!
Fits Any Celebration: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a New Year’s party, this cake fits right in. Its festive look and flavor make it a perfect choice for all your holiday celebrations.
Here are some dessert recipes to look out for this holiday season:
Stay tuned for more delicious holiday recipes!Easy Winter Cake Decorating
Decorating the cake is so much fun! You don’t need a piping tip or bag, but if you have them, you can add some fun extra touches. For a lovely wintery look, decorate the cake with a snowy layer of buttercream, fresh rosemary, slivered almonds, sugar-coated cranberries, and a sprinkle of orange zest. Finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar to give it that perfect holiday charm!
Adding Mascarpone to Buttercream Frosting
Mascarpone in buttercream is delicious! It brings a rich, creamy vibe that makes the frosting feel super indulgent without being overly sweet. The mild flavor keeps things balanced, so it doesn’t hit you with too much sugar. Plus, it whips up nice and fluffy, making it easy to spread or pipe on your cakes. And it goes great with all kinds of flavors! I remember back in high school when I worked at a country club as a waitress. There was a lemon berry mascarpone cake that I would bring home to my family after every shift. We LOVED that cake so much, and I still dream about it to this day.
Here are the ingredients and instructions for the Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Almond Mascarpone Buttercream:
Ingredients:
For the Cranberry Orange Almond Cake:
all-purpose flour
granulated sugar
baking powder
fine sea salt
unsalted butter, at room temperature
egg whites
full-fat sour cream
canola oil (or vegetable oil)
orange zest
almond extract
vanilla extract
For the Orange Cranberry Filling:
fresh cranberries
sugar (or honey)
water
freshly squeezed orange juice
orange zest
For the Almond Mascarpone Buttercream:
unsalted butter, at room temperature
mascarpone cheese
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
almond extract
Love Cranberry Filling? Try swirling extra cranberry filling into the batter before baking!
Instructions For the Cake:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350
Prepare Pans: Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt until well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add the egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream, oil, orange zest, almond extract, and vanilla extract until fully combined. (If desired, add 1-2 tsp of orange extract for a stronger flavor.)
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 24-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.For the Orange Cranberry Filling:
Cook Filling: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and water. Cook until it reaches a simmer, then lower the heat and stir occasionally every 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
For the Almond Mascarpone Buttercream:
Beat Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the mascarpone cheese and mix until combined.
Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until well combined.
Add Extracts: Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, add more mascarpone or milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. Once smooth, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
Assembly:
Layer the Cake: Frost the top of the first cake layer with the almond mascarpone buttercream, then fill with the orange cranberry filling. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake.
Decorate: Top with additional buttercream, sugar-coated cranberries, slivered almonds, fresh rosemary, orange zest, and a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look.
Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Almond Mascarpone Buttercream
Taralynn
This Cranberry Orange Almond Cake is the perfect holiday dessert. Fluffy almond cake, a bright cranberry-orange filling, and creamy almond mascarpone buttercream make it a holiday dream. You won’t be able to stop at just one bite!
Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. *Spray with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt.
In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Add the egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream, canola oil, orange zest, almond extract, and vanilla extract. *If you prefer a stronger orange flavor, add 1-2 tsp of orange extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
Bake for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cakes will continue to cook slightly as they cool, so avoid overbaking. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Orange Cranberry Filling
Combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, and orange zest in a medium pot.
Cook over medium heat until it simmers. Reduce the heat to low and stir every 4-5 minutes.
Once the cranberry sauce thickens, remove it from heat and allow it to cool completely.
Almond Mascarpone Buttercream
Beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy and smooth.
Add the mascarpone and continue mixing.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and mix on low speed until combined.
Add the vanilla extract and almond extract, and beat until fully incorporated. *If the frosting is too thick, add more mascarpone or milk. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Once smooth, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 2-3 minutes to make the frosting light and fluffy.
Frost the first cake layer and spread the cranberry filling on top.Add the second cake layer, frost the rest of the cake, and smooth the edges.Decorate with piped frosting, sugar-coated cranberries, slivered almonds, fresh rosemary, orange zest, and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
Recipe Notes:*Cakes will continue to cook slightly as they cool, so avoid overbaking.*If you prefer a stronger orange flavor, add 1-2 tsp of orange extract to the batter, and even the buttercream.
*You can make the cranberry sauce the day before and refrigerate it to save time.*Cake is best served chilled!
*To store the cake, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months—just wrap them well in plastic wrap before freezing.
Here are some helpful recipe notes for the Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with a Mascarpone Buttercream:
Make-Ahead Tips: You can bake the cake layers a day in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. The cranberry filling can also be made ahead and refrigerated overnight.
Frosting Consistency: If the mascarpone buttercream is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or more mascarpone to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired texture.
Enhance Orange Flavor: For a more intense orange flavor, consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of orange extract to the batter or buttercream.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients—especially the butter, egg whites, and sour cream—are at room temperature to achieve a smooth, fluffy batter and frosting.
Cake Pan Prep: Don’t skip lining the pans with parchment paper, as it helps the cake release easily after baking. Grease the sides and parchment for added security.
Decorating Tips: Sugared cranberries, fresh rosemary, slivered almonds, and a dusting of powdered sugar give this cake a festive, wintery look. Add them just before serving to keep everything looking fresh.
Freezing Option: You can freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling.
Here are the cake highlights:
Cranberry Orange Almond Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream
Get ready to impress your guests with this Cranberry Orange Almond Cake—the ultimate holiday dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful! This gorgeous winter cake features fluffy almond layers infused with almond extract and a zesty kick of orange. It’s the perfect recipe for any holiday occasion!
Flavor Explosion: Each slice is filled with a mouthwatering cranberry-orange filling that balances sweet and tart flavors, making every bite a refreshing delight.
Dreamy Mascarpone Buttercream: And let’s not forget the star of the show: the creamy almond mascarpone buttercream. It’s smooth, velvety, and not overly sweet, creating a dreamy topping that perfectly complements the cake.
Fresh and Festive: Made with seasonal ingredients like fresh cranberries and oranges, this cake captures all the cozy vibes of the holiday season.
Pretty as a Picture: Decorate your cake with sugar-coated cranberries, slivered almonds, and fresh rosemary for a stunning winter look. A light dusting of powdered sugar adds that perfect touch of elegance—making it a showstopper on your holiday table! The dusted powdered sugar over the buttercream gives a snowy look.
Easy Recipe: Don’t let its stunning appearance fool you! This Cranberry Orange Almond Cake is surprisingly easy to whip up. With simple steps and ingredients, you’ll find baking this cake to be a fun and rewarding experience.
Why You’ll Love It:
A total crowd-pleaser for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings
Looks fabulous and tastes even better!
A delicious way to use up any leftover cranberry filling!
A delightful mix of flavors and textures that everyone will rave about
Give this Cranberry Orange Almond Cake a try for your next holiday celebration, and enjoy the festive flavors!
The Cranberry Orange Mocktail!
If you have leftover ingredients from baking this cake, whip up a fun mocktail to serve at your holiday table!
Ingredients:
Sparkling water, gingerale or sparkling grape juice
Leftover cranberry filling (a few spoonfuls)
Fresh orange juice (a squeeze)
Orange zest (a sprinkle)
Sugar-coated cranberries (for garnish)
Fresh rosemary (for garnish)
Cinnamon Stick (for garnish and flavor)
Instructions:
In a glass, pour in your sparkling water or sparkling grape juice.
Add a few spoonfuls of the cranberry filling.
Squeeze in some fresh orange juice to taste.
Sprinkle with orange zest for an extra burst of flavor.
Top it off with sugar-coated cranberries, cinnamon stick, and a sprig of fresh rosemary for a festive touch!
This is such a stunning and delicious seasonal mocktail to add to the table!
I also LOVE making pie. This pumpkin pie recipe is on my blog, but the pecan pie is coming very very soon!I’m so excited for you to try out this recipe! It’s one of the most gorgeous and delicious holiday cakes to make, and it’s super easy! With its vibrant flavors and stunning presentation, it’s sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. Enjoy every bite! If you do make this recipe, please help me out by coming back to leave a rating! Your feedback means so much!
Easy Winter Cake Decorating
I’m so excited for you to try out this recipe! It’s one of the most gorgeous and delicious holiday cakes to make, and it’s super easy! With its vibrant flavors and stunning presentation, it’s sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. Enjoy every bite! If you do make this recipe, please help me out by coming back to leave a rating! Your feedback means so much!
Saving for Thanksgiving!
Stunning cake. Mine was not as beautifully done as yours but we all loved it.