Cranberry Snowfall Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Some holiday desserts sparkle—this one snowfalls and is stacked with sass.

If winter had a signature bake, this would be it. The Cranberry Snowfall Cream Cheese Bundt Cake delivers a velvety, cream-cheese enriched crumb, ruby-bright cranberries, and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar that looks like fresh powder on a ski slope. Think old-fashioned pound cake meets holiday magic—ready to sleigh your dessert table, brunch spread, or gifting list.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Cream cheese makes the crumb ultra-moist and bakery-style tender.
• Tart cranberries balance sweetness for a festive flavor profile.
• Pantry staples transform into a holiday showstopper.
• A fluted tube pan (aka Bundt pan) creates effortless edges.
• Perfect for gifting, brunch, or potluck tables.

For a sweet-and-savory spread, serve it alongside our Cranberry Sausage Stuffing Balls.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, patted dry
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch fluted tube pan (Bundt pan).
2. Cream together the cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 cups of flour with the baking powder and salt. Add to the creamed mixture and stir until a thick batter forms.
5. In another bowl, toss the cranberries and nuts with the remaining 1/4 cup flour. Fold into the batter.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 65–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once cooled, dust generously with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Yield: 16 servings

Expert Tips

• Use room-temperature ingredients for a fluffier batter.
• Pat frozen cranberries very dry to prevent bleeding.
• Dust cranberries with flour to keep them from sinking.
• Coat the greased pan with sugar for a cleaner release.
• Let the cake cool fully so the sugar dusting doesn’t melt.

Learn more tricks in this Foolproof Guide to Perfect Bundt Cakes.

Variations & Creative Twists

• Citrus Boost: Add 1–2 teaspoons orange zest.
• Almond Lover’s Version: Swap vanilla for almond extract.
• Glaze It: Drizzle vanilla icing instead of sugar dusting.
• Berry Swap: Replace cranberries with dried cherries or blueberries.

For more fruit-forward inspiration, check out your Cran-Apple Holiday Yam Bake.

Serving Suggestions

• Warm slices with homemade whipped cream.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or cranberry apple cider.
• Wrap tightly for gifting—it stays moist for days.
• Serve alongside a festive favorite like Cranberry Bean Bake.

FAQs

Q: Is a fluted tube pan the same as a Bundt pan?
A: Yes—identical in function.

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: Yes—results will be slightly softer.

Q: Can the cake be frozen?
A: Absolutely. Wrap tightly, freeze up to 3 months, and dust after thawing.

Q: Can this bake in loaf pans?
A: Yes—divide between two loaf pans and bake for 55–60 minutes.

More Recipe Ideas

• Serve with savory favorites like Cranberry Sausage Stuffing Balls.
• If cranberries are your thing, try the Cran-Apple Holiday Yam Bake.
• For another cozy bake, check out the Cranberry Bean Bake.
• This cake pairs perfectly with Jolly Cranberry Jelly Cut-Outs.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Snowfall Cream Cheese Bundt Cake is everything you want from a holiday bake—moist, festive, eye-catching, and surprisingly simple. With its bright cranberries, creamy crumb, and sugar-snow finish, it’s a dessert that feels like a celebration all on its own. Whether you’re hosting brunch, building a dessert table, or gifting homemade treats, this cake deserves a place on your seasonal must-make list.