Here’s a delightful orange cake recipe that you can easily make at home. This recipe yields a moist and flavorful cake with a lovely orange glaze.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the orange zest and vanilla extract.
- Alternate Adding Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and orange juice. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more orange juice. For extra flavor, you can add a bit of orange zest to the glaze.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Serve: Slice and serve the cake. Enjoy your homemade orange cake with a cup of tea or coffee!
Tips:
- For an extra burst of orange flavor, you can add a tablespoon of orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier) to the cake batter.
- Garnish with thinly sliced oranges or candied orange peel for a decorative touch.