Beautiful & Rich Orange Cake Recipe
I've always felt like orange cake doesn't get the recognition it deserves. When we think of baking a cake, our minds often go straight to chocolate or vanilla. But trust me, you need to try an orange cake recipe! (Especially during the summer).
Orange cakes do come in various forms, most common (when you simply type “Orange cake recipe” on Google) are an orange cake in a loaf pan, and a bundt pan. The beauty about this recipe is that, not only it tastes good, but it looks beautiful too! The way the oranges are placed make the cake look as if it was decorated 🍊
So, if you haven't tried an orange cake recipe yet, I highly recommend giving it a go. Additionally, if you’ve tried any of my recipes, you would know that I create easy recipes with simple ingredients, because baking is supposed to be fun and not a pain! Ok let’s go!
Understanding The Ingredients:
Flour: If you're familiar with my vanilla cake recipe, you'd notice that the ingredients for this one are quite similar. So, yes, in this recipe, I use cake flour. But don't worry if you only have all-purpose flour at home; you can absolutely use that instead. Now, let's talk about cake flour versus all-purpose flour in a cake. Cake flour is lighter and has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour. This results in a finer texture and a more tender crumb in your cakes. On the other hand, all-purpose flour has a higher protein content, which can make cakes slightly denser but still delicious.
Vegetable Oil: I tend to use vegetable oil way more often than butter in my cake recipe, and this is because I find oil to give cakes a better texture in terms of moisture and fluffiness. Butter does add a rich texture to cakes, and some cakes do require only butter. Almost all my recipes can have the oil substituted for butter, but just keep in mind that the texture can change.
Orange: Of course orange is a crucial ingredient in an orange cake and I know a lot of you are asking if you can use orange juice. I prefer using natural oranges for several reasons. First, using fresh ingredients enhances the overall quality of the cake. Second, natural oranges are essential for creating that beautiful orange layer on top of the cake. Additionally, the zest from the orange adds a significant amount of flavor to the cake. However, if you don't have fresh oranges or prefer to skip the layer, you can use orange juice as an alternative.
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Common Questions I get Asked:
Can I double this recipe? Yes.
What type of oranges should I use for the best flavour? For the best flavour, it's recommended to use fresh, ripe oranges. Varieties like Valencia or Navel oranges work well due to their sweet and juicy characteristics.
Can I substitute butter for vegetable oil in the orange cake recipe? Yes, you can substitute butter for vegetable oil in the orange cake recipe. Just keep in mind that butter may slightly alter the texture and flavour of the cake.
Can I add nuts or other fruits to the orange cake batter? Yes, you can add nuts (such as chopped almonds or walnuts) or other fruits (like cranberries or raisins) to the orange cake batter for added texture and flavour.
What type of frosting or glaze pairs well with an orange cake? A citrus-flavoured frosting or glaze, such as cream cheese-orange frosting or orange glaze, pairs wonderfully with an orange cake, enhancing its citrus notes.
How can I prevent the orange zest from making the cake bitter? To prevent the orange zest from making the cake bitter, ensure to only grate the outer, coloured part of the orange peel (avoiding the white pith).
How To Make an Orange Cake From Scratch?
Beautiful & Rich Orange Cake Recipe
COOK TIME: 40 minutes | TEMPERATURE: 165C (329F) | SERVINGS: 8” pan
Ingredients
Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 cup Water (125ml)
Instructions
- Slice one orange as thin as you can.
- In a pan, combine sugar and water (refer to the syrup measurements) and place on medium heat.
- When the mixture starts to simmer, place your sliced oranges in the sugary syrup on low-medium heat while you prepare your cake mixture.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat your eggs until foamy. Add sugar and beat until the mixture doubles in size and becomes lighter in colour.
- Add oil, orange juice, and mix until combined.
- Add flour mixture in small batches and mix on low. Make sure not to over-mix.
- Add vanilla, orange zest, and combine.
- Line baking pan with baking paper. Place your orange slices at the bottom of the pan and pour your batter in.
- Bake, in a preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove it from the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before you transfer it to cooling rack and brush with the leftover syrup you soaked your orange slices in.
Beautiful & Rich Orange Cake Recipe
COOK TIME: 40 minutes | TEMPERATURE: 165C (329F) | SERVINGS: 8” pan
Ingredients
Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 cup Water (125ml)
Instructions
- Slice one orange as thin as you can.
- In a pan, combine sugar and water (refer to the syrup measurements) and place on medium heat.
- When the mixture starts to simmer, place your sliced oranges in the sugary syrup on low-medium heat while you prepare your cake mixture.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat your eggs until foamy. Add sugar and beat until the mixture doubles in size and becomes lighter in colour.
- Add oil, orange juice, and mix until combined.
- Add flour mixture in small batches and mix on low. Make sure not to over-mix.
- Add vanilla, orange zest, and combine.
- Line baking pan with baking paper. Place your orange slices at the bottom of the pan and pour your batter in.
- Bake, in a preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove it from the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before you transfer it to cooling rack and brush with the leftover syrup you soaked your orange slices in.
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Tips To Make The Best Orange Cake:
Use Fresh Oranges: Opt for fresh oranges rather than processed or bottled juice for the best flavour. The natural zest and juice from fresh oranges will enhance the taste of your cake.
Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour: While cake flour can lend a lighter and softer texture to your cake, you can still achieve a great result with all-purpose flour. If you only have all-purpose flour at home, feel free to use it without worry.
Proper Mixing: When combining the ingredients, ensure not to over-mix the batter. Over-mixing can lead to a dense and tough cake. Mix until just combined for a light and airy texture.
Preheat the Oven: Always preheat your oven before baking the cake. This ensures that the cake starts baking at the right temperature, promoting even rising and baking throughout.
Cooling and Glazing: Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing or frosting (if you are planning on glazing or frosting your cake). This prevents the glaze from melting and ensures a smooth finish. Brushing the cake with a syrup made from orange juice and sugar can add extra moisture and flavour.
