A twist on lemon drizzle cake, we have used oranges instead. This loaf cake is so easy to make and with just a few baking staples, you get a zesty and moist cake that the whole family will love. Soaked with an orange icing to take this Orange Drizzle Cake to the next level.
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If you love orange desserts, then you are going to LOVE this. A really light and fresh cake, that is the perfect way to use summer oranges. A twist on a traditional lemon loaf, but still with plenty of flavour. Just one bowl and 6 ingredients, this cake takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.
If you are looking for some other loaf cakes why not try our zingy Courgette and Lime Cake, comforting Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake, festive Cranberry Bread or delicious Chocolate Loaf Cake?
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Why You Will Love It
- A really easy bake
- Light and fresh
- A great way to use up oranges
- Easy enough for kids to make
- Just 1 bowl and 6 ingredients
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Self raising flour - If you only have plain flour (all purpose flour) add 1 tablespoon of baking powder too.
- Caster sugar (baker's sugar) - This is just a finer ground version of granulated sugar and mixes more easily.
- Icing sugar (powdered sugar) - Used to make the orange drizzle.
- Orange - What gives the cake its flavour.
- Eggs - Fresh is always best and try to use organic or free range.
- Butter - Unsalted butter is our preferred butter.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6. Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
One: Put the butter and sugar in to a large bowl and beat together until fluffy.
Two: Add the eggs and whisk well.
Three: Add the self raising flour and orange zest and gently fold everything together until smooth. Don't over mix at this point.
Four: Pour in to a loaf tin lined with baking paper. Put in the oven for 50-55 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
Five: Mix together the icing sugar and juice from the orange. Using a fork or knife, make holes in the loaf and then pour the orange icing all over it.
Six: Leave to cool and then slice.
Lemon vs Orange
When it comes to citrus cakes, it's usually the battle between the lemon and orange cakes. I think that orange is more of a subtle flavour, whereas lemon cakes usually pack a serious flavour punch. You could swap orange for lemon in this recipe and follow everything else the same.
Fancy something a little different? Why not try swapping the orange for lime.
How to Pick the Perfect Orange
Seeing as oranges really are the star of this cake, you want to make sure that you are picking the best oranges. This will mean that you get plenty of flavour in the cake.
When picking an orange, make sure that it is fairly firm (but not too firm) and vibrant and shiny looking. When you cut it open, it should look juicy. If it looks dry, then it's not going to be good enough to use in this recipe.
How to Make it Vegan
To make a vegan version of this cake, swap the butter for a vegan margarine and then use an egg alternative. Our favourite egg alternative in baking is a "chia egg". For each egg you need, mix together 1 tablespoon of crushed (in a pestle and mortar) chia seeds and 2 tablespoon water. Leave it in the fridge for 20 minutes.
You can also use half a very ripe banana, mashed, in replacement of each egg needed. However, this will give the cake a very banana flavour.
Orange Drizzle Cupcakes
If you find it difficult to have just one slice of cake, why not try making cupcakes instead as they are individually portioned. To make 8 cupcakes, follow the recipe up until you would pour it in to a loaf tin. Then divide the mixture between 8 cupcake cases that are in a muffin tin.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 for 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
What to Serve it With
We tend to just have a slice of this by itself for an afternoon pick me up, or with a cup or tea of coffee. However, if you want to make this a little more indulgent, then why not serve it with some vanilla ice cream for a little single cream. Frozen yoghurt is a delicious addition too.
Extra Tips
- If you want a more intense orange flavour, add the zest from an extra orange. Don't add any extra orange juice to the icing though, unless you add more icing sugar.
- Swap the orange for lemon or lime (or a mixture of both) for something a little different.
- If your cake starts to look like it is burning on top, cover it in foil and continue cooking until a skewer comes out clean.
- Add some chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious chocolate orange combination.
- To ensure that your cake is cooked all the way through and doesn't burn either, use an oven thermometer to make sure it gets to the correct temperature for the recipe.
- Don't over mix the batter once you add the flour and orange zest. This can cause the cake to not rise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once the cake is cooled completely you can either slice it all up or leave it whole and then put it in an air tight container and store somewhere dark and cool out of sunlight. It will store for 2-3 days like this, if you can resist it that long.
Yes, you can store it in the freezer. Slice it and then wrap the slices individually and put them in an air tight container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature fully before serving.
More Orange Recipes
If you've tried this orange drizzle cake, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Orange Drizzle Cake
Ingredients
- 225 g (1 cups) of Butter
- 225 g (1.25 cups) of Caster sugar
- 4 Eggs
- 225 g (1.75 cups) of Self-raising flour
- 1 Orange - (juice and zest only)
- 90 g (0.75 cups) of Icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Put 225 g of Butter and 225 g of Caster sugar into a large bowl and beat together until fluffy.
- Add 4 Eggs and whisk well.
- Add 225 g of Self-raising flour and zest of 1 Orange and gently fold everything together until smooth. Don't over mix at this point.
- Pour into a loaf tin lined with baking paper. Put in the oven for 50-55 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
- Mix together 90 g of Icing sugar and juice from 1 Orange. Using a fork or knife, make holes in the loaf and then pour the orange icing all over it.
- Leave to cool and then slice.
Recipe Notes
- If you want a more intense orange flavour, add the zest from an extra orange. Don't add any extra orange juice to the icing though, unless you add more icing sugar.
- Swap the orange for lemon or lime (or a mixture of both) for something a little different.
- If your cake starts to look like it is burning on top, cover it in foil and continue cooking until a skewer comes out clean.
- Add some chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious chocolate orange combination.
- To ensure that your cake is cooked all the way through and doesn't burn either, use an oven thermometer to make sure it gets to the correct temperature for the recipe.
- Don't over mix the batter once you add the flour and orange zest. This can cause the cake to not rise.
Nutritional Information
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Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
R Harris says
this cake is so easy and quick to make, but it's moist and tastes delicious, definitely a regular on my list.
Gillian says
Absolutely delicious will definitely make this again, as much as I love lemon drizzle this is now my favourite, will try with chocolate chips next time. Yum
Dannii says
So glad you enjoyed it. Chocolate and orange are the best combination.
Aimee Mars says
This orange drizzle cake is the ultimate decadence! I love to pair it with my afternoon coffee.
Beth Sachs says
We love drizzle cakes as they are so easy to make but taste amazing. This orange drizzle cake was so moist and fluffy.
Amy says
This cake is so good, even better than lemon drizzle!
Kathryn says
This orange cake is incredible and so moist! Love the orange flavors and will be making this again soon!
Julie Menghini says
My kind of cake, easy to make and you get a delicious orange cake.
David says
So nice and moist! I do enjoy both lemon and orange flavors, it's nice to have the orange for a change in a good dessert recipe like this.
Elizabeth says
This cake is incredible! Super fresh orange flavor, and the perfect texture. My kids added whipped cream on top and loved it.
Anjali says
This cake turned out to be so moist and delicious!! Love the idea of changing things up and adding orange instead of lemon - it was so good!
Dolly @ Little Home in the Making says
I love how this uses very few ingredients, but I can tell the flavor would be awesome! Great use of those leftover oranges!
Alison says
Fantastic citrus flavor in this orange drizzle cake. So moist and flavorful!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I have so many oranges off our tree right now this came at the perfect time!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
A great idea to use oranges instead and I love drizzle cakes like this.
Emese says
This looks stunning. I always think of lemon but now I will try with orange next. Thanks for the recipe.