This Bisquick Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake is the perfect Christmas dessert. It’s bright, festive, and filled with nostalgia. The tart cranberries and citrus glaze make it a holiday baking classic. Serve it for Christmas brunch, dinner, or cozy gatherings. Your guests will definitely want seconds. For more holiday dessert ideas check out our entire Christmas Desserts & Holiday Treats Collection.

Bisquick cranberry orange Bundt cake with orange glaze and cranberries on a green serving plate.

Serves: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Cooling Time: 1½–2 hours. If making sugared cranberries, allow time to prepare them separately—you can make them ahead.

Cake Ingredients

2½ cups Bisquick mix
⅔ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 eggs
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¾ cup milk
½ cup apple sauce (any kind)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp orange zest
1½ cups fresh cranberries

Glaze & Topping Ingredients

4 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup of fresh orange juice plus more if needed
1 tsp orange zest
1½ cups sugared cranberries

Bisquick mix, sugar, butter, eggs, cinnamon, milk, applesauce, vanilla, orange, and cranberries for cranberry orange Bundt cake.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Coat the entire inside of the Bundt pan with baking spray containing flour, including the center tube and all the grooves.

Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until combined. Add the melted butter, applesauce, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk. Add the Bisquick mix and mix just until combined. Gently fold in the cranberries and orange zest, then pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Fresh cranberries and orange zest being added to a batter in a mixing bowl for holiday baking.

Cranberry orange Bundt cake batter in a prepared Bundt pan before baking.

Step 3: Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan before turning it out, following your pan manufacturer’s recommended cooling time. Turn onto a cooling rack and let cool completely before glazing.

Step 4: Whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. If the glaze is too thick to drizzle, add more orange juice a teaspoon at a time. Drizzle over the completely cooled cake and top with sugared cranberries.

Glaze preparation: Powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest being mixed into a glaze.

Glazed cake: Orange glaze drizzled over a Bisquick cranberry orange Bundt cake on a green platter.

Finished cake: Cranberry orange Bundt cake topped with orange glaze and cranberries.

🍋 Simply Made Suggestions

Cool before glazing: A warm cake will cause the glaze to melt and run off.
Prep the topping ahead: Make the sugared cranberries ahead so they’re ready when the cake has cooled.
Adjust the glaze: Add orange juice a teaspoon at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Watch the cake: Baking and cooling times are approximate.

🍊 Before You Go…

Looking for more easy ideas for your holiday table? Browse our easy Bisquick recipes for simple baking shortcuts, or explore our Thanksgiving Dinner Menu for appetizers, sides, desserts, and more.