• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amira's Pantry
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • About me
  • Subscribe!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Shop
  • About me
  • Subscribe!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Desserts » Golden Saffron Orange Bundt Cake

    Golden Saffron Orange Bundt Cake

    Published: Oct 27, 2018 · Modified: Dec 8, 2019 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Orange cake recipe that is spiced up with saffron and turmeric. Super quick to whip up, this moist cake is a lovely dessert for all occasions!

    Also try this readers' approved saffron cake.

    A piece of orange cake on a plate, with Orange


    This orange bundt cake is just the right flavor, nothing is overpowering here. A sunny cake with bright orange flavor to feed your soul as well as your body.

    I'm used to using saffron in rice, but I fell in love with cakes made with saffron when I was making this flavored saffron and cardamom cake, it was amazingly delicious and it was my first time using saffron in desserts.

    Golden saffron orange bundt cake on a white serving plate.

    I've read an article about saffron in a Costco magazine lately and I was reminded of the saffron I bought from Egypt a year ago!!. It was completely forgotten for a whole year.. can you believe that.

    The article mentioned that saffron appeared in 50,000 year old cave paintings in Iraq and ancient Greek. Alexander the great used it to heal wounds and the mighty Cleopatra used to bath in it!!! Reckless behavior Cleo, these stuff are expensive!

    Anyways, So I wanted to make another saffron dessert, but kept wondering what other flavors to add. I know already that cardamom goes very well with saffron but I needed something else.

    After searching I've found a cake recommended by Gina, and the cake was a recipe from the Perfect Cake. I got the book and followed the recipe exactly.

    I baked it a couple of times before I finally settled on my perfect amount for flavor.

    Golden saffron orange bundt cake with orange slices on top and sprinkled with pistachios

    Where does saffron come from?

    It is believed that it originated in Greece, other sources say the eastern countries in the Mediterranean. These days saffron is cultivated in Iran, India, Morocco and Greece.

    How can you tell real saffron?

    Good saffron smells sweet but never tastes sweet! Yes, if you put a thread saffron in your mouth and it tasted sweet then it is fake. There is also the smell, it is earthy yet sweet.. do you get it?

    Another test for saffron is that real saffron when out in water it colors the water but the threads do not lose their color. a

    And as a rule, do not buy ground saffron, it is usually fake.

    Saffron Health benefits?

    According to WebMD, saffron might be used to help in so many medical issues. Starting from coughing, Asthma, insomnia,... to cancer and Alzheimer's disease. There is no sufficient evidence for some of those diseases so read more and always check with your doctor of course.

    How to make Orange Saffron Cake?

    This cake is simple, not complicated at all. Just the usual creaming of butter and sugar. Mixing of wet ingredients and dry separately then adding them alternatively to the butter mixture. So let me show you.

    steps to making golden orange saffron bundt cake
    • How to use saffron? Usually, saffron threads should be measured then crushed and let the powder steep in hot water/milk or any liquid, in our case water.
    • So we will add saffron a pinch of turmeric to just a tablespoon of hot water and let it bloom for 15 minutes.
    • Add buttermilk, vanilla, orange zest and orange juice mixing everything well together.
    steps to making golden orange saffron bundt cake
    • In a separate bowl, add flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and mix well.
    • Cream butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
    • Beat in eggs and egg yolk one at a time until well incorporated.
    • Now alternatively add the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients until they are all mixed but do not over mix. To avoid over mixing, I use a spoon to mix in the last addition of dry ingredients.
    • Pour the batter in a Bundt and bake until done. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
    A slice of golden saffron orange bundt cake being pulled out of the bundt.

    Now, make any frosting you like, this goes very well with cream cheese frosting. I've made a simple sugar-orange glaze and it turned out beautiful and delicious.

    Soft, fluffy with a melt in your mouth texture. Perfectly sweetened and perfectly flavored saffron orange cake that will brighten everyone's day.

    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!
    Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

    An orange cake on a plate with orange on top

    Golden Saffron Orange Bundt Cake

    Orange cake recipe that is spiced up with saffron and turmeric. Super quick to whip up, this moist cake is a lovely dessert for all occasions!
    4.25 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    cooling: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 417.6kcal
    Author: Amira

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon boiling water.
    • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads.
    • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric.
    • 3/4 cup buttermilk.
    • 2 Tablespoons orange juice.
    • 1 Tablespoon orange zest.
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour.
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt.
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder.
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
    • 2 1/4 sticks (1 1/8 cup) unsalted butter.
    • 2 cups granulated sugar.
    • 3 large eggs.
    • 1 egg yolk large.

    Glaze:

    • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar.
    • 2 Tablespoons orange juice.
    • 1 1/2 Tablespoons plain yogurt.
    • Optional: 1 cup chopped pistachios.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 12 cup bundt pan with butter or spray with baking spray.
    • In a cup mix saffron, turmeric and hot water together and let it steep for 15 minutes.
    • Add buttermilk, vanilla, orange juice and zest to the saffron mixture and mix well.
    • In a large bowl, combine in flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda
    • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale.
    • Beat in eggs one by one then add the yolk.
    • Add flour mixture alternating with saffron mixture mixing after each addition.*
    • Pour batter into the bundt cake and bake for 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean
    • Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan then let it cool completely on a wire rack.
    • Whisk glaze ingredients well then pour over the cake
    • Decorate with some chopped pistachios.

    Notes

    * To avoid over-mixing, start and end with the flour mixture. With the last addition of flour mixture mix with a wooden spoon instead of your mixer.
    Nutrition Facts
    Golden Saffron Orange Bundt Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 417.6 Calories from Fat 158
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17.5g27%
    Sodium 137.2mg6%
    Potassium 150.6mg4%
    Carbohydrates 63.3g21%
    Sugar 44.7g50%
    Protein 5.5g11%
    Vitamin A 550IU11%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 48mg5%
    Iron 1.3mg7%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 417.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 63.3g | Protein: 5.5g | Fat: 17.5g | Sodium: 137.2mg | Potassium: 150.6mg | Sugar: 44.7g | Vitamin A: 550IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AmirasPantry or tag #AmirasPantry!

    Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

    Some of the links mentioned in this post are affiliate links, check disclosure policy for more information.
    « Middle Eastern Spiced Tea Recipe
    Date Caramel Sauce »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    About Amira

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catherine Jacobs

      June 12, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR PART OF THE RECIPE A BOX CAKE MIX? IF SO, HOW? IT'S THAT SOME OF US HAVE LIMITED TIME AND ARE DEPLETED OF ENERGY. THANK YOU.

      Reply
      • Amira

        June 15, 2022 at 12:11 pm

        I haven't tried that before Catherine, sorry. But I am coming up with more easier cakes using cake mixes so stay tuned.

        Reply
    2. LJ

      January 31, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      2 stars
      You have to like saffron to enjoy this cake. The recipe itself is good. The cake came out perfect, moist with the perfect crumb. For me however,(and everyone else that tried it) the saffron ruined it as it sits with you long after you have eaten a piece of this cake. Maybe too much saffron on my part but it didn't look like a whole lot when its added in so as a previous comment suggests, maybe just a very small pinch. I will actually use this recipe for any other citrus based cake.....leaving out the saffron and turmeric next time.

      Reply
      • brenda

        June 17, 2022 at 8:22 pm

        5 stars
        your giving this recipe 2 stars because of your own unrefined palate lmaooo imagine that?

        Reply
    3. Nancy Karlen

      November 14, 2021 at 5:25 pm

      Amira-

      I am sure your cake will make me that star of the refreshment table at garden club next month!! A bunch of wonderful ingredients!! Thank you so much for posting.... and my family had a variation on your end of week / clean out the fridge chicken soup tonight for dinner.. solved the problem and tasted great!!!

      I do so enjoy your recipes!

      Reply
      • Amira

        November 16, 2021 at 10:55 am

        Thank you so much Nancy, happy that you liked the soup.

        Reply
    4. Candace

      November 29, 2020 at 8:14 am

      Cake looks delish! How do you measure the saffron, because you are using saffron threads, not sure what amount of threads equals a 1/2 tsp??? Thanks

      Reply
      • Amira

        November 30, 2020 at 2:43 pm

        Candace, you see it is like when we say a tablespoon of parsley. I would say a generous pinch. I hope this helps.

        Reply
    5. Anna

      October 27, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      This looks delicious! I’m planning on making it tomorrow but I’m confused about the butter quantity. Can you clarify?

      Reply
      • Amira

        October 28, 2019 at 10:42 am

        Anna, sorry for the confusion it is 1 1/8 cups = 2 1/4 sticks. Thank you for spotting this.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT AMIRA'S PANTRY

    Amira Photo

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Read More…

    LOOKING FOR A RECIPE!

    Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

    Kabob Recipes

    Kabob Recipes

    Don't miss our Holiday Appetizers!

    Egyptian Recipes

    • Egyptian Falafel
    • Koshari; The National Dish of Egypt
    • Egyptian food; Fattah
    • Spicy Lamb chops
    • Hawawshi (Arayes)
    • Egyptian Salad (Salata Baladi)

    Popular Recipes

    • Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
    • Sausage Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • No Wine! Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
    • Chicken Francese Recipe; Without Wine
    • Alfredo Sauce Without Cream

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for our latest recipes

    Contact

    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2022 - Amira's Pantry

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.