This orange cake is perfect for those special occasions, fancy brunches, or dinner parties when you want to really impress your guests. This bright, citrus-flavored cake, is soo good that it will make you reach for the second slice in seconds!
Orange Cake Recipe
Oranges can be an excellent addition to baking, adding a vibrant citrus flavor and fragrance to a variety of sweet treats. The perfect way to celebrate this beautiful citrus fruit is by making this Orange Cake!
What makes this Orange Loaf so unique?
The secret is the way to combine the sugar with the orange zest. I can’t stress enough the importance of using your fingers to rub the ingredients together. Not only will this completely combine the sugar and zest, but it will also help release the oils that are contained in the orange zest and infuse the sugar with a great deal of taste and fragrance.
Adding zest provides a tangy and citrusy flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake.
HOW TO MAKE ORANGE CAKE:
To prepare the cake, preheat the oven to 350F/180C and grease a 9×5 loaf pan. For added convenience, you may also place a piece of parchment paper underneath the cake to make it easier to remove.
The first step is to combine the sugar with the orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the ingredients together until the sugar is a light orange color.
Next, combine the sugar mixture and eggs, oil, orange juice, yogurt, and vanilla or orange extract. Whisk everything together until all the ingredients are incorporated, but be careful not to overmix.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients and whisk together just until all of the flour is incorporated.
The next step is to pour the cake batter into the baking pan that has been prepared.
I decided to double the recipe so that I could share it with my loved ones.
To bake the cake, place it in the middle of the oven and let it cook for 50 minutes. Use a toothpick to check if it’s done by inserting it into the center. If it comes out clean, then the cake is ready. After taking it out of the oven, mix the juice of half an orange with powdered sugar and heat the mixture in a microwave for 30 seconds. Then pour it over the cake for added flavor.
It is recommended to wait until it cools down before adding the glaze as a topping.
Enjoy!
Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Sugar Mixture:
- 2 oranges Zest
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
Wet ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons orange or vanilla extract
- Juice of one orange freshly squeezed
- ½ cup oil avocado oil or light olive oil works well
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt or plain
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt I use sea salt or kosher
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- zest of ½ orange
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1/2 orange)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and grease a 9x5 loaf pan. For added convenience, you may also place a piece of parchment paper underneath the cake to make it easier to remove.
- The first step is to combine the sugar with the orange zest. Use your fingers to rub the ingredients together until the sugar is a light orange color. Not only will this completely combine the sugar and zest, but it will also help release the oils that are contained in the orange zest and infuse the sugar with a great deal of taste and fragrance.
- Next, combine the sugar mixture and eggs, oil, orange juice, yogurt, and vanilla or orange extract. Whisk everything together until all the ingredients are incorporated, but be careful not to overmix.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients and whisk together just until all of the flour is incorporated.
- The next step is to pour the cake batter into the baking pan that has been prepared.
- Place it in the middle of the oven and let it cook for 50 minutes. Use a toothpick to check if it’s done by inserting it into the center. If it comes out clean, then the cake is ready.
- After taking it out of the oven, mix the juice of half an orange with powdered sugar and heat the mixture in a microwave for 30 seconds. Then pour it over the cake for added flavor. Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze.
Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, zest, and juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and let it stand for 30 minutes to set.
Notes
- It’s much easier to zest the oranges before juicing, so make sure to zest first.
- What makes this Orange Loaf so unique?
The secret is the way to combine the sugar with the orange zest. I can’t stress enough the importance of using your fingers to rub the ingredients together. Not only will this completely combine the sugar and zest, but it will also help release the oils that are contained in the orange zest and infuse the sugar with a great deal of taste and fragrance.
Nutrition
Tell me what you think of this recipe, and if you have any questions, don’t forget to get in touch with me. I’m always happy to hear from YOU.
Until the next one…
