Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake: Bright, Cozy, and Perfectly Fluffy for Winter Mornings

This cranberry orange coffee cake brings together everything you crave in a festive winter bake—soft, tender crumbs, bursts of tart cranberries, warm citrusy sweetness, and an irresistible plant-based streusel on top. It’s the kind of cake that instantly makes your kitchen feel celebratory, filling the air with the scent of oranges, sugar, and cozy spices as it rises into the perfect holiday-ready treat. Whether you’re planning a make-ahead Christmas breakfast, prepping something special for New Year’s morning, or need a bright, seasonal bake for winter gatherings, this cake delivers every single time with effortless charm and vibrant flavor.

The History and Inspiration Behind This Recipe

Coffee cake has deep roots in European baking traditions, where sweet, lightly spiced cakes were often served alongside morning or afternoon coffee. Over time, as the style traveled, it evolved into the crumb-topped, tender cakes we know today—desserts meant not for sitting beside a cup of coffee but for being enjoyed with it. Cranberries and citrus have long been seasonal staples in winter baking, making this flavor combination a natural, nostalgic fit for the coziest time of year.

he inspiration for this plant-based version came from wanting a holiday-season bake that feels both celebratory and soothing—a cake that tastes like winter but also brings a refreshing pop of brightness to balance all the heavier dishes of the season. Fresh cranberries offer vibrant tartness, orange zest adds warmth and aroma, and a buttery vegan streusel crowns the whole cake with nostalgic holiday flair. It’s the perfect combination for mornings spent opening gifts, lingering over brunch, or sharing something special with friends and family throughout the season.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

You’ll love this Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake because it captures everything delicious about winter baking—tart cranberries, warm citrus, and a tender plant-based crumb that stays moist for days—making it the perfect holiday make-ahead treat that brings bright, cozy flavor to festive mornings without any extra fuss.

Fun Flavor Variations For Your Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

Why settle for plain when you can get creative with different flavor combinations:

• Almond Orange Twist: Add a splash of almond extract to the batter for a fragrant, nutty depth that pairs beautifully with the citrus and makes each bite feel extra decadent and bakery-worthy.

• Ginger Cranberry Burst: Fold in finely chopped crystallized ginger for a warm, spicy kick that complements the tart cranberries and adds a festive holiday flair.

• Mixed Berry Medley: Swap half the cranberries for blueberries or raspberries to create a juicy, colorful blend that softens the tartness and adds even more vibrant flavor.

• Cranberry Walnut Crunch: Add a handful of chopped walnuts to the streusel for extra texture and a rich, toasty bite that enhances the cozy winter feel.

Serving Ideas For Your Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

This Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake is incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways:

• Holiday brunch centerpiece: Serve warm slices with fresh fruit, plant-based yogurt, or a simple citrus salad for a festive and vibrant spread your guests will love.

• Make-ahead morning treat: Prep it the night before and enjoy effortless slices on Christmas morning, New Year’s Day, or any busy winter morning when you want something special without extra work.

• Dessert with a twist: Add a drizzle of orange glaze or a spoonful of warm cranberry compote to transform it into a bright, elegant holiday dessert.

• Edible gift: Wrap cooled slices or the whole cake in parchment and twine to create a heartfelt homemade gift perfect for neighbors, coworkers, and hosts.

Tips For The Best Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

For the best results, follow these simple tips to perfect your Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake every time:

• Use Fresh Orange Zest: The zest brings most of the citrus flavor, so grate it fresh for the most aromatic, bright, and vibrant result throughout the cake.

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients to keep the crumb tender and fluffy, ensuring the cake stays soft rather than dense.

• Toss Cranberries in Flour: Lightly coating the cranberries in flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom and helps distribute them evenly for perfect bursts of flavor in every bite.

• Bake Until the Top is Golden: Look for a lightly golden top and a toothpick that comes out clean to ensure your cake is fully baked while staying moist and delicate inside.

• Let It Rest Before Slicing: Allowing the cake to cool slightly helps the crumb set so each slice holds its shape and stays beautifully tender.

The Final Bite

Print Recipe

Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake

A bright, cozy, plant-based cranberry orange coffee cake packed with citrus aroma, tart berries, and buttery streusel that feels perfect for winter mornings!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Breakfast, Citrus, Coffee Cake, Cranberries, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Sweet Treat, Winter

Servings: 12

Equipment

• Stand Mixer or Electric Mixer Optional
• Mixing Bowls
• 9X9-inch Baking Pan
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer

Ingredients

Orange Cranberry Cake

• 2 tbsp Ground Flaxseeds
• 6 tbsp Water
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour or 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ½ tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• ½ tsp Cinnanom
• 1 tbsp Orange Zest About the zest of ½ an orange
• ½ cup Plant-Based Butter At room temperature
• ¾ cup Cane Sugar
• 1¼ cup Plain Unsweeteend Plant-Based Milk At room temperature
• ¼ cup Orange Juice At room temperature
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste
• 1½ cup Fresh Cranberries Tossed in 1 tbsp flour

Coffee Cake Crumble

• ⅓ cup Cane Sugar
• 1 tsp Orange Zest
• ¾ cup All-Purpose Flour or 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour
• ¼ cup Old Fashoned Oats Gluten-Free if needed
• ½ tsp Cinnanom
• ¼ cup Plant-Based Butter Melted

Orange Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar Sifted
• 1 to 2 tbsp Orange Juice Start with the lesser amount
• 1 tsp Orange Zest

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
• Combine your ground flaxseed and water, and set aside to gel for 5 to 10 minutes to create your flax egg.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon until combined. Whisk in fresh orange zest until orange zest is incorporated, and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, add in your sugar and orange zest. Massage your orange zest into the sugar. Next, add your room temperature butter and cream together, then beat the butter and sugar for about 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add in the flax eggs and mix until creamy. Finally, add in the plant-based milk, orange juice, and vanilla. Beat until everything is incorporated.
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and stir until just combined. Toss your cranberries in 1 tbsp of flour and then gently fold the cranberries into the batter. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
• Next, create the crumble. Massage the sugar and orange zest together, then add the flour, oats, cinnamon, and melted butter. Mix until it resembles a crumbly texture. If the mixture is still very dry, add either 1 tbsp of plant-based milk or orange juice. Sprinkle over the top of the batter.
• Bake the cake 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Let the cake cool completely.
• While coffee cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. Stir together the sifted powdered sugar and start with 1 tbsp orange juice, and orange zest, and mix until smooth. Add additional fresh orange juice as needed to reach the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cake, and if desired, top with a sprinkle of orange zest. Allow the glaze to harden, then serve.
• Storage Instructions: Store the coffee cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days, where it will stay moist and flavorful thanks to the juicy cranberries and citrus. To freeze wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months for easy cozy winter treats whenever the craving hits