Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake : A Festive Bundt Cake Full of Flavor

This Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake is a cozy bundt cake recipe with tart cranberries, juicy apples, crunchy pecans, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday gatherings, weekend baking, or any time you crave a traditional bundt cake with nuts.

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Introduction: Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake – A Festive Bundt Cake Classic

Few desserts capture the flavors of autumn and winter like a bundt cake packed with fruit and nuts. This Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake is the perfect example: moist, tender, and bursting with seasonal ingredients. With tart cranberries, sweet apples, and the crunch of pecans, every slice is a celebration of texture and flavor.

The bundt cake has long been a tradition in family kitchens. Whether it’s dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with glaze, the iconic ring shape makes it a centerpiece-worthy dessert. This recipe transforms the classic bundt into a cranberry apple bundt cake that feels festive, rustic, and timeless.

Why Apple and Cranberry Make the Perfect Pair in Bundt Cakes

Apples and cranberries balance each other beautifully. Apples bring natural sweetness and moisture, while cranberries add a tangy, jewel-toned pop of color. Together, they turn a bundt cake into a showstopper.

• Cranberries add brightness to cut through richness.
• Apples keep the cake soft and moist.
• Pecans add crunch and warmth, making it a traditional bundt cake with nuts.

This combination is why recipes like lemon cranberry bundt cake with sugar cranberries or almost-famous cranberry bundt cakes are such fan favorites. The tart-sweet balance is simply irresistible.

Essential Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to make this festive bundt cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 ½ cups peeled, chopped apples
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Optional: candied cranberries for garnish if you want a sugar cranberry topping.

Kitchen Equipment Needed for Bundt Cake Baking

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• Bundt pan (10–12 cup capacity)
• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooling rack
• Fine sieve for dusting powdered sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Bake Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Bundt Pan

Grease your bundt pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray, making sure to get into all the grooves. Dust lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in sour cream or yogurt for extra moisture.

Step 5: Combine Batter

Gradually add dry ingredients into wet. Fold in apples, cranberries, and pecans with a spatula.

Step 6: Bake

Pour batter into bundt pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Dust

Allow to cool 15 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack. Once completely cool, dust with powdered sugar for a classic cranberry bundt cake with powdered sugar look.

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Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Bundt Cake with Powdered Sugar

• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing.
• Toss cranberries and apples in flour before folding into batter — this prevents them from sinking.
• Let cake cool fully before dusting with sugar.
• For an elegant look, decorate with sugar cranberries on top.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Apple Cake Recipes

• Overmixing the batter: Leads to a dense cake.
• Undergreasing the bundt pan: Can cause sticking.
• Skipping cooling time: Bundt cakes need time before removal.
• Using overly tart apples: Balance with sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji.

These mistakes are common across apple cake recipes and bundt baking in general.

Variations: From Lemon Cranberry Bundt Cake to Almost-Famous Versions

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt:

• Add lemon zest for a lemon cranberry bundt cake with sugar cranberries.
• Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds.
• Drizzle with cream cheese glaze for an almost-famous cranberry bundt cake look.
• Replace cranberries with blueberries for a muffins blueberry inspired bundt cake.
• Make it mini: Bake in muffin tins for an apple cranberry muffin version.

Why Traditional Bundt Cakes with Nuts Are So Loved

Adding nuts to bundt cakes brings crunch, flavor, and nostalgia. A pecan cake or nut-studded bundt has deep roots in American and European baking traditions. Pecans, in particular, add buttery richness that balances fruit beautifully.

Serving Ideas: From Holiday Tables to Everyday Treats

This cake shines during the holidays but also works year-round:

• Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Pair with a mug of spiced tea or hot cocoa.
• Use as a centerpiece for holiday tables.
• Pack slices for picnics or afternoon tea.

For a rustic spread, serve alongside zucchini muffins, pecan pie, or pumpkin twists.

Pairing Ideas: What to Serve with Apple Cranberry Bundt Cake

• A hot pot of cinnamon tea
• Fresh fruit salad with citrus
• A savory brunch dish like cinnamon roll breakfast bake
• Light salads with apple and walnut

How to Store and Freeze Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake

• Room temperature: Store covered for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Lasts 5–6 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer: Wrap slices or whole cake tightly; freeze for up to 3 months. Dust with sugar after thawing.

Other Baking Inspirations: From Muffins to Zucchini Cakes

Love this cake? Try related baking recipes:

• Muffins Blueberry – fluffy, fruity, and perfect for breakfast.
• Zucchini Muffins – moist and healthy, great for everyday snacking.
• Apple Cake Recipes – from rustic loaves to spiced layer cakes, apples are always a baker’s friend.

Pair your bundt cake with a batch of mini pumpkin breads for a seasonal dessert tray.

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FAQs About Cranberry Apple Cake Recipes

Can I use dried cranberries?
Yes, soak them in warm water or juice before adding.

What apples work best?
Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for sweetness; Granny Smith for tartness.

Can I make this into muffins?
Yes, bake in muffin tins at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.

Do I need to peel the apples?
It’s optional, but peeling creates a smoother texture.

Can I add glaze instead of powdered sugar?
Absolutely — cream cheese or lemon glaze works beautifully.

Final Thoughts: Share the Joy of Apple Cranberry Bundt Cakes

This Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake is everything you want in a festive bundt cake — moist, flavorful, and stunning on the table. With its sweet apples, tart cranberries, and nutty crunch, it’s a dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, exploring apple cake recipes, or simply craving a rustic dessert, this bundt cake is a keeper. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, share with loved ones, and keep the tradition of love food baking alive in your kitchen.

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