This orange cake is bursting with bright orange flavor thanks to using fresh orange juice, zest and orange glaze. All you need is a bowl, whisk and 10 minutes active time. Be sure to read through.
Next time try these rhubarb scones.

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A favorite tea time cake, that I've always relied on when I have unexpected guests. Finished off with a simple orange sugar glaze and ribbons of whipped cream for an elegant look. If you are looking for a more complex flavor profile, try this saffron infused orange cake, you will love it.
❓Why This Recipe Works
- So simple and easy no especial equipment needed just a whisk and a bowl.
- Finish it off with an orange simple syrup, blood orange glaze or even dust with powdered sugar.
This cake is a savior as it is very simple dump and mix kind of cakes. Make it in a loaf pan, a round cake pan or use mini loaf pans the choice in yours. I've made this cake in several occasions before and it never failed me, much like this marble chocolate cake.
Keeping the spirit of simplicity, I finished off the cake with simple orange sugar glaze and some orange slices. You can use this light cream cheese and yogurt frosting if you would like to.
📝 Recipe Ingredients
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all wet cake ingredients and sugar.
- Mix everything well with a whisk.
- Sift flour and baking powder over the wet ingredients.
- Mix well using the whisk.
- Pour into a prepared loaf pan and bake until done. Take out and let it cool down on a wire rack.
- In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and orange juice then pour the glaze over the cake. Garnish with some whipped cream ribbons and orange slices.
💡 Tips
- I used to use ½ cup oil and ¼ cup sour cream in making this recipe. Sour cream adds richness and moistness to the cake. But, many of you expressed that they do not usually use sour cream so I've made it entirely with oil.
- Oils to use, I actually used to make this cake with canola or vegetable oil. Looking for a healthier options I used avocado oil this time, this is healthier but for sure not the most economical one. I do not recommend using extra version olive oil or coconut oil as they both will affect the taste of the cake.
- You can use butter instead of oil, cake will still be tasty but not as moist.
- This cake keeps well on the counter for 3 days, in the fridge for 10 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. If you decided to make a cream cheese frosting then you'll have to refrigerate the cake.
- If egg free baking is your style check out these vegan egg substitute for baking.
👩🍳 Variations
- Change cake topping and you will have a new cake each time. Try topping your cake with crushed nuts like pistachios or almond slices.
- Try some fresh edible flowers especially in spring.
- Candied orange peel or simply dust with some powdered sugar.
- Adding blood oranges makes everyone excited.
I've been making this cake on several occasions and it served me well. I served it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, made a simple orange sugar glaze or this cream cheese yogurt frosting. It is so good in all forms.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover in an airtight container, should keep well for a week.
📣 Related Recipes
- Jello desserts are one of those things that everyone loves especially in parties and holidays, try this Jello mold recipe, so fun and easy to make.
- Light and fluffy pistachio muffins are so simple to make and taste great with a cup of coffee!
- Revani is a classic Mediterranean semolina cake drenched in lemon infused simple syrup and topped with coconut flakes.
- This date cake is a modern spin on my grandmas' version of date cake. Hers was really great, but this one is awesome!
More Scrumptious Desserts
- This is the orange bundt cake recipe you want to try. Moist, fluffy delicious with a unique flavor and the perfect balance.
- Caramel Tres Leches is a decadent and delicious Turkish cake that combines the rich flavors of caramel, milk, and spongy cake. Great for the holidays parties, potlucks or for an unusual after dinner treat.
- Marble Loaf Cake is a delightful and fun pound cake with vanilla and chocolate batters swirled together for a rich and delicious cake. This cake is a family recipe with simple ingredients and very suitable for beginners.
- Red velvet bundt cake is an incredibly easy cake, a classic with a signature tangy flavor and deep red color. This decadent delight has been a family and friends favorite for years.
I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
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Orange Loaf Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (160g)
- ¾ cup oil (175ml)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (235ml)
- 1-2 Tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cups all purpose flour (270g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Icing:
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted (50g)
- 2-4 Tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a deep bowl, add the first 6 ingredients and whisk to combine.
- Sift flour and baking powder over the wet ingredients.
- Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.
- Pour batter into a prepared loaf tin.
- Bake in the middle rack for 40 - 50 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool completely.
Make the glaze:
- Place ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Place the cake on a rack then place on a baking sheet.
- Pour glaze over the cake and decorate with some orange slices.
Notes
- I used to use ½ cup oil and ¼ cup sour cream in making this recipe. Sour cream adds richness and moistness to the cake. But, many of you expressed that they do not usually use sour cream so I've made it entirely with oil.
- Oils to use, I actually used to make this cake with canola or vegetable oil. Looking for a healthier option I used avocado oil this time, this is healthier but for sure not the most economical one. I do not recommend using extra version olive oil or coconut oil as they both will affect the taste of the cake.
- You can use butter instead of oil, cake will still be tasty but not as moist.
- Add extra orange zest if you would like to for more orange flavor if you feel this is not enough for your taste.
- Using fresh oranges is highly recommended.
- The glaze here is more of a light syrup consistency and not as thick because we did not appreciate a thicker one. You can double the powdered sugar in the glaze to get a thicker consistency.
- I added some whipping cream white ribbons on the cake just for extra decorations. You do not need to do this.
- This cake keeps well on the counter for 3 days, in the fridge for 10 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. If you decided to make a cream cheese frosting then you'll have to refrigerate the cake.
Nutrition
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First published Dec 17, 2014 . Last updated December 23, 2022 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
Cheri
I just made this recipe using blood orange olive oil! Yumm!
Maha
Superb!
Anna Likousis
Thank you again for your beautiful recipe.
Anna
Ryan
Not very good. It turned out very dry and cooked on the outside way to fast before the inside. Also practically tasteless.
I like many of her other recipes, but this one didn't turn out very well.
Amira
Ryan, I lost count of how many times I've made this cake and I always get rave reviews. I cannot understand why it came out dry or tasteless I wish I was there in your kitchen to see.
Luisa
I always make this cake and it turns out great - it’s one of my clients favorites - you must have missed something from the recipe for it to turn out dry and tasteless
Amira
Thanks Luisa for your reply, I actually had this recipe double checked too just to make sure I did not miss something and all feedback was great. Thanks again.