Canned Cranberry Chocolate Orange Cakes for Gifts

Delight your loved ones this holiday season with these charming Canned Cranberry Chocolate Orange Cakes for Gifts—a recipe that combines the rich decadence of cocoa, the zesty brightness of fresh orange, and the tangy sweetness of cranberry. Baked directly in half-pint mason jars, these petite treats are as unique as they are delicious, making them perfect for gifting. The recipe features a moist, chocolatey crumb enhanced by buttermilk and dotted with mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence. Sealed for freshness, these cakes can be prepared ahead of time and stored for up to three months without refrigeration, making them an ideal make-ahead holiday treat. Decorate the jars with festive ribbons or personalized tags for a thoughtful, homemade gift that’s as beautiful as it is irresistible! Perfect for holiday gift-giving, potlucks, or a sweet surprise for friends and family, these adorable cakes are sure to spread cheer.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Fresh orange zest
• 0.5 cup Orange juice
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• 2 Eggs
• 0.75 cup Buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Canned whole cranberry sauce
• 0.75 cup Mini chocolate chips
• 6 jars Half-pint (8-ounce) mason jars, sterilized and dried

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange six half-pint (8-ounce) mason jars on a baking sheet. Ensure jars are sterilized and completely dry. Spray the inside of each jar lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Add orange zest, orange juice, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated, being careful not to overmix.

Step 4

Gently fold the canned cranberry sauce and mini chocolate chips into the batter until evenly dispersed.

Step 5

Spoon the batter into the mason jars, filling each jar about halfway. Wipe any spills on the rims of the jars to ensure they are clean.

Step 6

Place the jars (without lids) on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean.

Step 7

While the cakes are baking, prepare the jar lids by ensuring they’re clean and ready to seal.

Step 8

Once the cakes are done baking, carefully remove the jars from the oven. Immediately place the lids and bands on each jar while the jars are still hot, then twist the bands to seal tightly.

Step 9

As the jars cool, you’ll hear the lids pop, indicating they are properly sealed. Allow jars to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 10

Once cooled, label and decorate the jars with ribbons or tags. Store the cakes in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. These make excellent gifts—no refrigeration needed!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1504.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4192.4

Total Fat 156.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.6g
Cholesterol 392.1mg	0%
Sodium 3687.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 719.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.0g	0%
Total Sugars 440.6g
Protein 72.6g	0%

Vitamin D 177.2IU	0%
Calcium 516.7mg	0%
Iron 35.2mg	0%
Potassium 2795.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.8%

Protein: 6.3%

Carbs: 62.9%