Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe produces a consistently fluffy cake with a tender crumb and balanced sweetness. It is easy to prepare, keeps well, and highlights classic flavor combinations that never feel heavy.
Delicious Fluffy Cranberry Orange Ricotta Cake: A Bright, Tender Bake for Any Occasion
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 pancakes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Light, fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with bright orange zest and studded with tart cranberries, creating a tender, bakery-style breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- Butter or oil, for cooking
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix ricotta cheese, eggs, milk, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
- Fold in the cranberries.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep pancakes fluffy.
- Dried cranberries can be soaked briefly in orange juice for extra moisture.
- Great served with whipped cream or honey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Ricotta cheese is the key to the cake’s soft and airy texture. It adds moisture without making the cake dense.
All-purpose flour provides structure while allowing the cake to remain light when combined with ricotta.
Granulated sugar sweetens the cake gently, letting the tart cranberries shine.
Eggs contribute structure and help create a fluffy crumb.
Unsalted butter adds richness and depth of flavor.
Orange zest delivers concentrated citrus aroma and brightness throughout the cake.
Orange juice enhances moisture and reinforces the fresh orange flavor.
Fresh cranberries add tart bursts of flavor and beautiful color contrast.
Baking powder ensures proper lift and a light texture.
Salt balances sweetness and sharpens the overall flavor.
Vanilla extract rounds out the citrus and dairy notes with warmth.
Directions
Begin by preheating the oven and preparing a round cake pan by greasing and lining it. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the ricotta, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Gently fold in the cranberries, taking care not to overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until the cake is set and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before slicing.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease
Servings and timing
This recipe serves approximately 8 to 10 slices. Preparation time is about 20 minutes, with a baking time of 45 to 50 minutes. Total time is roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. Bring to room temperature before serving. Reheating is not necessary.
Variations and Customizations
Lemon cranberry version
Replace orange zest and juice with lemon for a sharper citrus profile.
Glazed finish
Drizzle a light orange glaze over the cooled cake for extra sweetness.
Nut-added texture
Fold in chopped almonds or pistachios for crunch.
Mini cake option
Bake in smaller pans and reduce baking time accordingly.
Dried cranberry alternative
Use dried cranberries soaked briefly in orange juice if fresh are unavailable.
FAQs
Can I use part-skim ricotta?
Yes, but whole-milk ricotta gives the best texture.
Is this cake very sweet?
No, it is lightly sweet with a balanced flavor.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, wrap well and freeze for up to two months.
Do cranberries sink during baking?
Tossing them lightly in flour helps prevent sinking.
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, use them straight from the freezer.
Is this suitable for breakfast?
Yes, it works very well as a breakfast or brunch cake.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use a suitable gluten-free flour blend.
Does the cake need frosting?
No, it is flavorful on its own.
Can I add spices?
A touch of cinnamon or cardamom pairs nicely.
How do I keep the cake fluffy?
Avoid overmixing once the flour is added.
Conclusion
Delicious Fluffy Cranberry Orange Ricotta Cake is a refined yet approachable bake that highlights fresh, classic flavors with a beautifully soft texture. Easy to prepare and versatile in presentation, it is a recipe that fits effortlessly into both everyday baking and special occasions.
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