In case you are tasked with dessert this holiday, here is an easy punched-up bundt cake that taste as good as it looks. It’s hard to go wrong when you have the bright flavors of cranberries and citrus set against coconut. You know me, I love pitting tart against sweetness. Take that pairing and mix into a cake crumb, pour into a bundt pan, bake and finish with a citrus drizzle and some sparkly cranberries. Done.
If for some reason you have any left over cake, pass the apron onto the person who came empty handed and put them to work for breakfast— this makes a killer French toast. The cake has a hardy crumb that holds up well.
If you are a regular reader than you know, I usually post at least two pictures per post—so my apologies for this pic-short post. I’m still struggling to find my lighting at this new place. As a result only this shot made it out of post editing.
I’m not happy with it, but this is a baking blog first so let’s focus on the cake—make it, you won’t be sorry.

Cranberry-Citrus & Coconut Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/3cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup cream of coconut
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup finely chopped cranberries
Glaze
- 2 cups confectioner sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Garnishing (optional)
- Sugared Cranberries (recipe here)
Instructions
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter and flour pan
To make cake
- Place flour, coconut, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and whisk to blend; set aside. Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender and process until coconut is coarsely crumbed.
- Place cranberries in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely crumbed. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
- Using an electric mixer or a food processor beat the sugar, eggs, and zest in a large bowl until pale and fluffy. Keep the mixer or food processor running and gradually add in oil and beat for about two minutes. With the mixer or food processor still running, add in coconut cream then orange juice and continue to beat until combined. Turn off mixer or food processor.
- Add flour mixture into wet ingredients and using a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, fold and mix until combined. Add in cranberries and fold until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 45-55 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely before glazing.
To make the citrus glaze
- Add powdered sugar and orange juice in a bowl and mix to combine. Pour finished glaze over cooled cake and set aside for 30 minutes for glaze to set. Optional: garnish with sugared cranberries.
Notes
A few notes:
- The cake can be made using a food processor or blender. For this cake, I personally prefer the food processor especially since I’m already using it to process the coconut and cranberries and it does a better job of blending the oil.
- It’s not necessary to process the shredded coconut to a coarse crumb, but it does make for a more blended bite—again, not necessary, but a nice detail.
- Coconut cream can be found in the alcohol and spirit section of your grocery store. If you are not able to find it, you can substitute it with buttermilk.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries will work fine.
Sounds wonderful and your picture is beautiful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This cake is stunning!
I looked at the photo for a full minute, just enjoying your play with the shadows and light and just generally admiring it. Then you say that you’re struggling to find the light in your home. You’re INSANE. But I love you anyway.
Such a gorgeous image – I echo what Karly just said, shadows and light – over and beyond the actual amazing food/recipe you created!
Absolutely stunning!!
Looks amazing, I want to put the bundt pan you used on my Christmas list. Beautiful!
I made a cranberry upside down bundt cake at my parents house over the Thanksgiving holiday and it PALES in comparison to your cake. I honestly am jaw dropped at your photography every time I visit your blog. I know I gush over your work on twitter all the time but I mean what I say – you are so talented, baking and photography wise. I wish I lived closer – I would love to learn from you in both arenas!
The light! That lighting is stunning, Naomi. I moved a few months ago and really struggled to figure out the light in my new place, but it’s getting better. This cake sounds amazing.
I love the shape of your bundt, gorgeous!
This looks amazing. So so yummy. And I love the black background.
Carlee
Almost Endearing
The lighting in that picture is absolutely sensational, I don’t know what you’re talking about!
I really like that I can use my food processor to make this cake. What beautiful photographs! This cake is sure to impress. Thanks so much.
gosh your photos are sexy! Always love your lighting…so moody.
I love this bundt pan- so elegant! How do you get your glaze to look so perfect in all the crevices?
Oh I love the idea of making this into french toast, so good!
You kill me! This photo looks great – the lighting looks fantastic!
That photo is gorgeous!!
This looks perfect. It goes very well with coffee
OMG, what a breathtakingly gorgeous photo ~ bravo! I can’t believe you aren’t content with it! I would kill to be able to snap a photo half as good!
WOW!! That cake looks amazing. The photo is good. Makes an impact. I like the idea of using left overs for french toast.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, that photo is incredible! The flavors in this cake sound utterly tantalizing… my mouth is watering just thinking of it.
I just discovered your blog, and look forward to reading more!
I think this is a gorgeous shot! I’m picturing a little sliver of light coming through a tiny window and it just happens to fall on this amazing bundt…Plus, that bundt pan looks incredible.
Loving the flavour combination of the bundt cake and photo is absolutely gorgeous! I love the hint of darkness to a photo. Have a great weekend ahea. Cheers~
Extraordinary photo! It reminds me of a classic still life painting. Beautiful recipe to match!
I love the holiday flavors permeating this cake, and the way that a fancy tin does all the work of making it look a million dollars! A great idea, and nice and portable too.
Love the lighting in the photo! It’s absolutely stunning. Lovely flavor combo.
I am in love with your photography, so dramatic, my favorite style! The recipe is also amazing-))
The picture is gorgeous, I don’t think you have anything to apologize for…except the idea for cake french toast. Oy, my pants are tighter just thinking about it!
The photo is amazing – forget about the cake!
Thank you for this wonderful (dairy free) recipe. I made it in a mini bundt pan mold and loved it. I sent some to a friend and she ate three of them. I won’t tell you how many I ate. . . 🙂
That picture is gorgeous. One of my favorite of yours. Although I am curious what the inside look like. 😉
I just love your bundt pan, where can I buy one?
Lisa-I’m so glad to hear that!
Hi Coco-It’s a Kugelhopf pan. Here’s an Amazon link:
I just made this ( without cranberries) and it is absolutely amazing!
Thanks for this recipe – I made it for my mums 70th birthday. She loved it: http://theyellowhouseintheu.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/yellow-polka-dot-birthday.html
This photo is drop dead gorgeous! Love it!