Orange cake is one of those classic homemade recipes that never goes out of style. It is simple, bright and fills the kitchen with a fresh citrus aroma while it bakes. This version is made in a blender, so the batter comes together quickly. As the cake bakes into a soft, tender crumb, the orange glaze adds a shiny, flavorful finish. Every slice has just the right balance of sweetness and freshness.
What is orange cake?
This orange cake with orange glaze is a homemade cake made with fresh orange juice. The crumb is light and soft, while the topping adds a sweet, citrusy contrast. It is the kind of easy cake that works for brunch, an afternoon coffee break or a simple dessert.
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Why you will love this recipe
- Simple batter made in the blender.
- Fresh, bright orange flavor and aroma.
- Soft, moist texture.
- Orange glaze that boosts the citrus flavor.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, snacks or dessert.
- Easy enough for beginner bakers.
Ingredients and substitutions
The ingredients in this orange cake are simple, fresh and easy to find. Fresh orange juice gives the cake its natural citrus flavor, while sugar helps create a lightly caramelized glaze. Together, they make a soft, fragrant cake that fits almost any time of day.
- Eggs: give the batter structure and help create a light, tender texture.
- Oil: keeps the cake moist and gives it a soft crumb. You can use melted butter instead, if you prefer.
- Orange juice: the main flavor in the recipe. Fresh juice gives the cake a brighter citrus taste and aroma.
- Sugar: sweetens the batter and helps the glaze cook into a lightly caramelized finish.
- All-purpose flour: gives the cake its structure. Use plain all-purpose flour because the baking powder is added separately.
- Baking powder: helps the cake rise and gives it a fluffy texture.
- Orange zest: makes the glaze more aromatic and adds a stronger citrus finish.
See the recipe card at the end of the page for the exact amounts.
How to prepare the oranges for cake
Before you start, squeeze fresh oranges for the juice. Choose ripe, fragrant oranges for the best flavor. Then wash the peel well and use a zester or fine grater to remove just the orange part of the peel. Avoid the white pith, which can taste bitter.
How to make it
- Make the batter: add the eggs, oil, orange juice, sugar and all-purpose flour to a blender. Blend well until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the baking powder: add the baking powder to the batter and mix gently, just until incorporated.
- Prepare to bake: pour the batter into a greased 11-inch round cake pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake the cake: bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 40 minutes, until golden.
- Make the glaze: in a small saucepan, heat the sugar with the orange juice, stirring until it becomes a lightly caramelized glaze.
- Finish the cake: once the cake is warm or cool, spread the glaze over the top and finish with orange zest.
- Serve: cut the cake into slices and serve while the citrus aroma and soft texture are at their best.
Serving idea: serve the orange cake slightly warm with coffee or tea to bring out the citrus aroma even more.
Variations
This orange cake is versatile and easy to customize. Small ingredient changes can shift the flavor and texture, making it simple to serve in different ways. Use what you have on hand or adjust it to fit your guests' preferences.
- With chocolate: add chocolate chips to the batter before baking. The chocolate gives a sweet contrast to the citrus flavor.
- With shredded coconut: stir shredded coconut into the batter before baking for a more aromatic cake with a lightly tropical texture.
- Whole wheat version: replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and a deeper flavor.
- With a creamy glaze: make a topping with sweetened condensed milk and orange juice for a creamy layer with extra citrus flavor.
Tools and equipment
A few basic tools make this orange cake easier to prepare from start to finish. The right equipment helps you blend the batter, bake the cake evenly and finish it with the orange glaze, so the whole process stays simple and the result is balanced and flavorful.
- Blender: used to blend the batter ingredients until smooth and evenly combined.
- Large mixing bowl: helpful if you need to stir or adjust the batter by hand.
- 11-inch round cake pan: holds the batter and helps the cake bake evenly.
- Spatula: ideal for gently folding in the baking powder and scraping the batter from the blender.
- Zester: used to remove the orange zest that flavors the glaze.
- Small saucepan: used to cook the orange glaze until it becomes lightly caramelized.
- Oven: bakes the cake until it is fluffy inside and golden on the outside.
In my shop, you can find kitchen tools and home equipment I use myself.
Storage
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 4 days. Before serving, let it come back to room temperature so the crumb softens again.
Tips
A few simple tips help keep this orange cake fluffy, fragrant and well balanced. Small details during prep preserve the fresh orange flavor and help prevent common cake mistakes, leaving you with a lighter, moister result.
- Use fresh, ripe oranges: choose fragrant fruit for the juice so the cake has a brighter citrus flavor.
- Mix the baking powder gently: fold it in only at the end so the cake keeps a fluffier texture.
- Check for doneness: insert a toothpick before removing the cake from the oven. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Let the cake cool slightly before glazing: wait a few minutes after removing it from the oven so the glaze spreads better and does not affect the cake's texture.
Frequently asked questions
Sim, mas o sabor fica mais suave. O suco natural é sempre mais aromático.
Sim. Congele fatias individuais por até 2 meses.
Sim. Basta misturar os ingredientes líquidos e depois incorporar os secos manualmente.
More recipes
Looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Easy Blender Orange Cake with Orange Glaze
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Round cake pan 11-inch
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Zester
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups fresh orange juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Make the batter: add the eggs, oil, orange juice, sugar and flour to a blender. Blend well until smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the baking powder: add the baking powder and mix gently, just until incorporated.
- Fill the pan: pour the batter into a greased 11-inch round cake pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake the cake: bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make the glaze: in a small saucepan, heat the sugar with the orange juice, stirring until it becomes a lightly caramelized glaze.
- Finish: when the cake is warm or cool, spread the glaze over the top and finish with orange zest.
- Serve: cut into slices and serve.
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