This holiday-ready version of our five-star Everyday Olive Oil Cake is adorned with a big red bow in the form of a simple but stunning cranberry glaze. Made by cooking cranberries with orange juice, then whisking the mixture with confectioners’ sugar, the icing adds a bright tartness that complements the rich cake. It’s also a great way to use up that half-bag of cranberries lingering from Thanksgiving.
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To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. Lightly grease an 8" square pan and line with a parchment sling.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs and olive oil until emulsified; the mixture should look creamy and yellow. Whisk in the milk, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla. While whisking, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet; continue to whisk until well combined and no lumps remain.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the cake is golden brown on top and springs back when gently pressed.
Remove the cake from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack; allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Run an offset spatula around the edges of the pan, then transfer the cake out onto the rack and allow it to cool completely.
To make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries and orange juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently and using a spoon or spatula to smash the berries as they burst, until the mixture is thickened and jammy, 4 to 5 minutes total.
Using a rubber spatula, press the cranberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. (You should have about 3 tablespoons/40g.) Add the vanilla, salt, and 1 cup (114g) of the confectioners’ sugar and whisk until smooth. Whisk in up to 1/2 cup (57g) more confectioners’ sugar as needed until the glaze is the consistency of molasses.
Pour the glaze over the cooled cake, nudging it to cover the surface and letting it drip down the sides in spots. Wait for the glaze to set, 15 to 20 minutes, before slicing and serving.
Storage information: Store any leftover orange olive oil cake, well-wrapped, at room temperature for up to 4 days. The cake will become moister and more flavorful as it sits.
Tips from our Bakers
To use different flours: Swap out 1/4 cup (30g) of the all-purpose flour for 30g of any of the following: almond flour (about 1/3 cup), fine yellow cornmeal (about 3 tablespoons), golden wheat flour (about 1/4 cup), or rye flour (about 5 tablespoons).
