Welcome, dear readers and fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we’re stepping away from the hustle and bustle of life to embrace the simple joy that is baking. The smell of a fresh cake wafting from the kitchen brings a unique kind of warmth to the house, doesn’t it? Especially when it’s our Easy Orange Cake Recipe!
As a mom, I’m always looking for those recipes that are easy to follow, require no fancy ingredients, but still impress everyone at the table. When life gives you oranges, you make this delightful orange cake, as they say (or at least, as I say in my kitchen).
It reminds me of a sweet memory from my childhood. I recall the sun-drenched afternoons at my grandma’s house. The citrus trees in her backyard were always heavy with fruits, and the scent of oranges seemed to fill the air around us. As a surprise, grandma would often turn those bright, sunny fruits into a mouth-watering orange cake. The tangy-sweet aroma wafting through the house was a clear signal that a wonderful treat was on its way.
Fast-forward to today, and the sweet scent of oranges filling my kitchen feels like a warm hug from the past. This is why this easy orange cake recipe is not just a dessert; it’s a walk down memory lane, an homage to those sunny afternoons of my childhood, the laughter, the conversations, and the love that went into baking that perfect orange cake.
So, dear readers, today we are taking a page out of grandma’s cookbook and learning how to recreate that easy orange cake recipe from my cherished memories. With just a few steps and simple ingredients, this recipe is a testament to the joy of creating beautiful and delicious food with love. Join me in this delightful journey and let’s fill our kitchens and hearts with the irresistible aroma of this homemade orange cake.
Let’s get started!
Welcome to our corner of the culinary world! Today, we are here to share an amazing Easy Orange Cake Recipe that is a must-try for all the sweet-toothed readers out there. This easy-to-follow recipe captures the essence of sweet and tangy oranges, blended perfectly into a moist and fluffy cake. Perfect for a sunny afternoon tea or a cozy family dessert, let’s dive into the creation of this delicious treat.
What Makes This Easy Orange Cake Recipe So Special?
The best part of this recipe is its simplicity. Our easy orange cake requires only common ingredients, yet it delivers a luxurious, refreshing flavor. The tangy sweetness of oranges, the fluffy texture, and a gorgeous golden hue combine to make this cake a joy to both make and eat.
What Do You Need for this Easy Orange Cake Recipe?
First things first, let’s gather our ingredients:
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) of butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2
- 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 3 teaspoons of baking powder
- 2/3 cup of orange juice
- Orange zest to taste
How Do You Prepare This Simple Orange Cake?
After preparing all your ingredients, it’s time to bake our easy orange cake. Follow the steps below for a flawless, delicious result.
- First, preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Grease a 12-cup (10-inch) Bundt pan or two standard loaf pans (either 9 x 13 inch pans or 8½ x 4½ inch pans for taller cakes) and set aside.
- In a bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and egg yolks until you obtain a creamy mixture.
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour and baking powder and mix them together.
- To the butter-sugar-egg yolk mixture, add a bit of the flour mixture, then a bit of the orange juice while continuing to mix.
- Keep adding and alternating between the flour mixture and the orange juice until everything is well mixed.
- Next, add and mix in the orange zest.
- Lastly, fold in the egg whites beaten until they form soft peaks, mixing gently and in a wrapping manner.
- Pour the cake mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out dry.
Here are some Chef’s Tips for your Easy Orange Cake Recipe
1. Freshly Squeezed Juice: The fresher the ingredients, the better your cake will taste. Freshly squeezed orange juice will always give your cake a much more vibrant and natural flavor compared to bottled orange juice.
2. Zesting Right: When zesting oranges, make sure you only remove the outermost, colored part of the peel. The white part beneath it, called the pith, can impart a bitter taste to your cake.
3. Don’t Overmix: To achieve a light and fluffy texture in your cake, avoid overmixing the batter. Once the flour is added, mix just until it’s incorporated to prevent developing too much gluten, which can lead to a tough cake.
4. Bake Immediately: As soon as your cake batter is ready, get it in the oven. Baking powder starts working as soon as it gets wet, so for the best rise, don’t let your batter sit around.
5. Test Your Cake: Not all ovens heat the same way, so start checking your cake a few minutes before the suggested bake time ends. Insert a toothpick or a clean knife in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs clinging to it, your cake is ready.
6. Cool Completely: Patience is key! Allow your cake to cool completely before slicing to prevent it from falling apart. This waiting period also allows the flavors to fully develop.
Easy Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound (2 sticks) of butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 3 tbsp baking powder
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- Orange zest to taste
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Grease a 12-cup (10-inch) Bundt pan or two standard loaf pans (either 9 x 13 inch pans or 8½ x 4½ inch pans for taller cakes) and set aside.
- In a bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and egg yolks until you obtain a creamy mixture.1 cup sugar, 4 eggs, ½ pound (2 sticks) of butter
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour and baking powder and mix them together.2 cups 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, 3 tbsp baking powder
- To the butter-sugar-egg yolk mixture, add a bit of the flour mixture, then a bit of the orange juice while continuing to mix.
- Keep adding and alternating between the flour mixture and the orange juice until everything is well mixed. Don't over mix.⅔ cup orange juice
- Next, add and mix in the orange zest.Orange zest to taste
- Lastly, fold in the egg whites beaten until they form soft peaks, mixing gently and in a wrapping manner.4 eggs
- Pour the cake mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out dry.
Notes
Here are some Chef’s Tips for your Easy Orange Cake Recipe
FAQs about this easy orange cake recipe
How do you reduce the bitterness in an orange cake?
Bitterness in an orange cake can come from using too much of the orange pith, the white part between the zest and the fruit.
For our Easy Orange Cake Recipe, we use orange zest for a strong flavor without bitterness. When zesting, make sure you only take the outermost layer of the peel, avoiding the white pith underneath.
Does anyone make orange cake mix anymore?
While orange cake mix isn’t as common as some other flavors in most grocery stores, some brands still make it. However, our Easy Orange Cake Recipe is so simple and uses common ingredients, you might find it just as easy and much more flavorful to make your orange cake from scratch.
What flavors go well with orange cake?
Orange is a versatile flavor that pairs well with many other tastes. Some popular options are chocolate, almond, vanilla, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. For a twist, try adding a touch of rosemary or thyme for an aromatic, herby note.
Why is my orange cake dry?
A dry orange cake could be due to a few reasons. It might have been baked for too long or at too high a temperature. It’s also possible that the batter was over-mixed, which can develop the gluten in the flour and make the cake tough.
To prevent this, try to mix the batter just until the flour is incorporated. Lastly, ensure your measurements for wet ingredients like butter and eggs are accurate as they contribute to the cake’s moisture.
Can You Customize This Easy Orange Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add a dash of your creativity to our easy orange cake recipe. Add in some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm note, or throw in a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.
Wrapping up, we hope you enjoy baking and relishing this delightful Easy Orange Cake Recipe. It’s a testament to the fact that simple ingredients and methods can produce outstanding results. Happy Baking!
Can I use bottled orange juice in this Easy Orange Cake Recipe?
While freshly squeezed orange juice is recommended to get the most natural and robust flavor, you can substitute it with high-quality bottled orange juice in a pinch.
Can I add other ingredients to this Easy Orange Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is quite versatile. Feel free to add in some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or include extras like chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor.
How should I store the cake from the Easy Orange Cake Recipe?
After it cools, store the cake in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for about 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the cake.
Can I make this Easy Orange Cake Recipe vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, with a few substitutions, you can make this cake vegan or gluten-free. Replace the eggs with a vegan alternative like applesauce or a flax egg, and use a dairy-free butter substitute. For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
How can I tell if the cake from the Easy Orange Cake Recipe is fully baked?
You can use the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick or a clean knife into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs clinging to it, your cake is done. If it comes out wet, bake for a few more minutes and test again.
Join us again for more delightful and easy-to-follow recipes. Until then, keep experimenting and sharing your love for food!
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