The smell of freshly baked orange cake brings back memories of my grandmother’s home. The warm, citrusy scent would welcome me as I entered. Her warm smile and delicious treats left a lasting impression on me.
Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that brings back those feelings. You can make a delightful orange cake in your kitchen.
Table of Contents
Understanding What Makes This Orange Cake Special
The secret to this moist and flavorful orange sponge cake is its vibrant citrus taste and perfect texture. It’s made with fresh oranges, giving it a refreshing flavor in every bite.
Vibrant Citrus Flavor Profile
The cake’s bright taste comes from real orange juice and zest. These ingredients give it a true orange flavor that stands out.
Perfect Texture and Moisture Balance
This orange cake has a tender crumb and just the right moisture. It’s made with butter and vegetable oil for a soft, fluffy texture.
Family-Friendly Appeal
This orange cake recipe is easy to make and loved by all. It doesn’t need special steps or tools, making it perfect for any gathering.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 270g |
| Cornstarch | 40g |
| Baking powder | 2.25 tsp |
| Salt | 0.5 tsp |
| Unsalted butter | 170g |
| Vegetable oil | 75g |
| Granulated sugar | 250g |
| Orange zest | 3 tsp |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Milk | 90g |
| Orange juice | 112g |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp |
Essential Ingredients for Your Orange Cake Recipe
Making a moist and flavorful orange cake needs the right ingredients. The easy orange cake recipe calls for all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a mix of milk, orange juice, and oil or melted butter.
For the cake’s bright citrus taste, use fresh orange juice and zest. Add room temperature eggs and a bit of vanilla extract. This mix ensures a dessert that’s both balanced and delicious.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/2 cups (300 g) |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Granulated sugar | 1 1/2 cups (300 g) |
| Orange zest | 3 tablespoons (from 3-4 oranges) |
| Eggs, room temperature | 4 large |
| Neutral baking oil | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Freshly squeezed orange juice | 1 cup (240 ml) |
With these essential orange cake ingredients, you’re ready to make a tasty, easy orange cake. It’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
Baking the perfect orange bundt cake needs the right tools and equipment. You’ll need the right-sized pans and precise measuring tools. Having these items ready will make your orange cake baking a success.
Baking Pans and Sizes
The recipe works in an 8.5″x4.5″ loaf pan, an 8″x4″ bundt pan, or a 9″ round or square pan. You can also use a 12-cup muffin tin for orange cake cupcakes.
Mixing Equipment
To make the moist and flavorful orange cake batter, you’ll need mixing bowls and an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. These tools mix the ingredients well for the best texture.
Measuring Tools
Accurate measuring is crucial when baking. Make sure you have a full set of measuring cups and spoons. They help you measure the orange cake baking tools like flour and sugar precisely.
With the right baking pans, mixing equipment, and measuring tools, you’re ready to make a delicious orange bundt cake in your kitchen.
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
Baking the perfect how to make orange cake is easy and rewarding. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a greased 9-inch round baking pan. In a medium bowl, sift together the dry ingredients – orange cake baking steps – including 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of olive oil, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and the zest of 2 oranges until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 large eggs, one at a time. Then, stir in 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the optional soaking syrup. Combine 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Once the cake is out of the oven, use a skewer to poke holes all over the top. Then, brush the warm cake with the orange syrup.
Let the cake cool completely before serving or adding the optional orange cream cheese frosting. Enjoy your delicious how to make orange cake with family and friends!
Tips for the Perfect Orange Cake Texture
Getting the right texture for your homemade orange cake is key. It’s all about focusing on a few important details. Follow these simple tips to make sure your cake is perfect every time.
Room Temperature Ingredients
First, let all your ingredients like eggs, butter, and dairy come to room temperature. This makes them mix well into the batter. It leads to a better rise and even baking.
Proper Mixing Techniques
When mixing your orange cake batter, don’t overdo it. Overmixing can make the cake dense and tough. Just gently fold in the dry ingredients until they’re just combined. Be careful not to deflate the batter.
Baking Time and Temperature Control
Preheat your oven for 20-30 minutes before baking. This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature. Keep an eye on the baking time, as it can vary. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
By following these tips, you can get the perfect moist and flavorful texture for your homemade orange cake.
Creating the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Take your orange cake to the next level with a delicious orange cream cheese frosting. It’s a mix of tangy cream cheese, sweet powdered sugar, and fresh orange flavors. This topping makes your homemade dessert look and taste amazing.
To make this frosting, you’ll need unsalted butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Start by creaming the butter until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add the powdered sugar slowly, mixing well after each addition.
Once the sugar is fully mixed, add the cold cream cheese, vanilla, orange zest, and a bit of orange juice. This will give you the perfect citrus flavor. Remember, don’t over-mix the frosting. It should be smooth and creamy, not grainy or dense.
Adjust the frosting’s consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or cornstarch for a smoother one. The orange cream cheese frosting should be sweet but also have a nice citrus taste. It will perfectly complement your citrus cake.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter, softened | 3 sticks (339 grams) |
| Cream Cheese, softened | 16 ounces (453 grams) |
| Powdered Sugar | 7 cups (805 grams) |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon (4 grams) |
| Orange Extract | 1 teaspoon (4 grams) |
| Orange Zest | 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) |
This orange cream cheese frosting recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups. It’s enough for 12 cupcakes or a 9-inch round cake. For a larger cake or a 13×9 pan, double the ingredients to have enough frosting.
Decorating Your Orange Cake
After baking and cooling your orange cake, it’s time to decorate it. Start by spreading the orange cream cheese frosting over the top and sides with an offset spatula. Use a cake scraper to get sharp, clean edges for a professional look.
Simple Garnishing Ideas
Add fresh orange slices or orange zest to enhance the cake’s citrus theme. Arrange orange wedges around the top or scatter them on the cake for a fresh look. Or, use a zester to create orange zest strips and sprinkle them on the frosted cake for color and scent.
Professional Finishing Touches
For a fancy touch, pipe designs around the cake’s top edge with a 1M piping tip. Try swirls, rosettes, or a shell border to show off your skills. You can also pipe small dollops or rosettes on top for a nice finish.
Let the orange flavor be the star with simple, matching decorations. This way, your orange cake will look amazing and impress everyone.
Storage and Shelf Life
Enjoying a slice of your freshly baked orange cake is a treat. But what about keeping its flavor and texture for later? Don’t worry, we’ve got tips for citrus cake shelf life and storage.
The cake stays good at room temperature for up to 3 days. But, once you add the orange cream cheese frosting, refrigerate it overnight. This keeps the frosting from getting too soft.
To store it longer, freeze the orange cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic or foil, then put it in a sealed container or bag. Thaw the slices in the fridge overnight before enjoying them at room temperature.
Keep your orange cake in an airtight container, whether on the counter or in the fridge. This keeps it moist and prevents drying out.
So, enjoy a slice or two, then store the rest with confidence. Your citrus cake will stay fresh and delicious whenever you’re ready for more.
Creative Serving Suggestions
The orange cake is not just tasty and moist. It’s also super versatile. Try different ways to serve it to make your dessert time even better.
Pairing Options
Top a slice of orange cake with whipped cream for a classic treat. Or, toast the cake and add honey for a sweet twist. You can also make an orange cake trifle with cake, whipped cream, and nuts.
Dessert Presentation Ideas
Make a parfait with orange cake, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup for a colorful treat. Or, serve the cake with vanilla ice cream for a fun mix of textures and temperatures.