Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Slice of orange cake on a white plate with a fork

Orange Cake Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
No ratings yet
Prep Time 34 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 14 minutes
Course Breakfast Cake, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 14
Calories 447 kcal

Equipment

  • 12 cup bundt pan

Ingredients
 
 

Cake

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup finely grated orange zest about 5 large oranges
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Syrup

  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Icing

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar -sifted
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!

Instructions
 

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large bowl whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, oil, sugar, and orange zest on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Beat until combined, scraping the sides and bottom ofthe bowl as needed.
  • In a liquid measuring cup combine orange juice and buttermilk.
  • Add one third of the dry ingredients to the sugar/egg mixture, beat until just combined.
  • Add half of the buttermilk, beating until just combining. Repeat adding half the remaining flour, all the remaining buttermilk, then the remaomomg flour, beating between each addition.
  • Stir with a rubber spatula to make sure it is completely combined.
  • Thoroughly grease a 12-cup bundt pan.
  • Pour the batter into the pan and smooth into an even layer.
  • Place the pan on the center rack off the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Place the pan on a wire rack to cool in the pan for 30 minutes

Syrup

  • Add the orange juice and sugar to a small saucepan over medium high heat..
  • Cook until the juice begins to bubble. Carefully remove the pan from the heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  • After 30 minutes of cooling, carefully invert the cake directly onto the cooling rack.
  • Place a large piece of parchment paper or foil under the rack to catch the syrup that drips through.
  • Spoon or brush the syrup onto the cake. The cake should still be a bit warm so it will soak up the syrup.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding with the icing.

Icing

  • Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle and whip until creamy,.
  • Add the powdered sugar and whip until combined.
  • Add the heavy cream, orange zest, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy.
  • Adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more heavy cream to thin it out. Drizzle the icing on top of the cooled cake.
  • Garnish with grated orange zest.

Notes

Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?
We make our Orange Cake with all-purpose flour, but you can use cake flour if you want an even lighter, fluffier crumb.
For dairy, replace buttermilk with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Both bring that same tangy flavor while keeping the cake tender.
If you like a stronger citrus flavor, try adding in lemon or lime zest along with the orange.
And for the glaze, powdered sugar mixed with orange juice works just as well if you don’t have heavy cream on hand.
Chef Tips
  • Zest oranges before juicing. You’ll get more zest and easier handling.
  • Room-temperature eggs and butter help the batter mix smoothly.
  • For a more robust citrus flavor, brush the warm cake with orange syrup before frosting.
How to Store Orange Cake
Keep leftover Orange Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to five days.
This cake isn’t a good candidate for freezing once it’s glazed, as the glaze doesn’t hold up well in the freezer and can turn messy as it thaws.
But if you want to make it ahead, you can freeze the unglazed cake for up to two months, then add the orange glaze once it’s thawed.
Why did my Orange Cake turn out dense instead of fluffy?
That’s usually from overmixing the cake batter. Keep your electric mixer on medium to low speed, and stop as soon as the flour mixture disappears. That’s how you keep a tender cake with a light crumb.
Why did my Orange Cake sink in the middle?
Most of the time, it’s underbaked, or the oven door was opened too soon. Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before getting started, and always check with a cake tester for moist crumbs before pulling it out of the oven.
Can I bake this as orange cake layers or in a loaf pan instead of a Bundt?
Absolutely. Two 9-inch pans, a 9×13, or even a loaf pan will work. Just remember to grease the pans well with cooking spray and keep an eye on the bake time.
What makes orange cake so flavorful?
Fresh orange juice and zest bring out the natural citrus flavor. The zest especially packs a punch, since it holds the essential oils from the peel.
Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh?
You can, but fresh juice always delivers brighter flavor. If you use bottled, make sure it’s 100% orange juice with no added sugar.
Can I use another frosting with orange cake?
Cream cheese frosting, or vanilla buttercream, can be used. You can also make it more of a glaze and drizzle it over the cake.
Can I bake this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Orange cake stays moist so that you can bake it a day in advance. Just wrap it well and frost it before serving.
Can I use other citrus fruits in place of oranges?
Absolutely. Lemon, lime, or even grapefruit can work. Just adjust the sugar slightly depending on the tartness.

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 233mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 1gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 423IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!