A delightfully moist and flavorful cake that brings a burst of citrus sunshine. No mixer required—just whisk and bake for a tender, zesty treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake is bright, simple, and incredibly tender. With fresh orange zest and juice in every bite, it’s easy yet decadent—perfect for anyone who loves citrus desserts without the fuss of heavy equipment.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Brown sugar 90 g (3.1 oz / ½ cup)
Orange zest 1–2 Tbsp
All-purpose flour 185 g (6.5 oz)
Baking powder 7 g
Salt 1 g
Eggs 2
Cooking oil or melted unsalted butter 55 ml
Plain yogurt 45 ml
Milk 45 ml
Orange juice 90 ml
Vanilla extract 1 tsp

For the icing:

Powdered sugar 50 g (1.7 oz)
Orange juice 1 Tbsp

directions

Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Grease and line a cake pan (~8 inch round or equivalent).
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
Combine brown sugar and orange zest; rub to release oils.
Beat in eggs one by one, then stir in oil (or melted butter), yogurt, milk, orange juice, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold in the dry mixture until just combined; avoid overmixing.
Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and tap out air bubbles.
Bake for around 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (a common bake time found in similar recipes) thetimes.co.uk+11cakesbymk.com+11preppykitchen.com+11cakesbymk.com+1richanddelish.com+1preppykitchen.com.
Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool fully.
Make icing by whisking powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth; drizzle over cooled cake.

Servings and timing

Servings: ~12 slices, based on a similar recipe with the same bake and pan size cakesbymk.com+2allrecipes.com+2olivesnthyme.com+2preppykitchen.com.
Prep time: ~10 minutes; Bake time: 30–35 minutes; Cool time: ~60 minutes overall en.wikipedia.org+15cakesbymk.com+15munatycooking.com+15.

storage/reheating

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days.
Reheat gently at 150 °C (300 °F) for 5–8 minutes to restore softness, or warm a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.

Variations

Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the icing for a cream cheese frosting for extra richness—use ~1 cup cream cheese, ½ cup butter, 200 g powdered sugar, and 1 Tbsp juice.
Glaze Topping: Increase icing sugar and juice ratio for a thicker glaze.
Nutty Orange Cake: Add 50–75 g chopped toasted nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts) to the batter.
Whole-Orange Style: For deeper citrus flavor, puree a whole peeled orange and substitute some juice—with attention to pulp and water bonappetit.com+4cakesbymk.com+4olivesnthyme.com+4richanddelish.comsimplyrecipes.com+1cakesbymk.com+1.

FAQs

What kind of pan is best for this cake?

An 8-inch round pan works well; a loaf or bundt pan can also be used, adjusting bake time accordingly.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Texture may vary slightly.

Can I use orange juice concentrate instead of fresh?

Fresh juice gives the best flavor, but concentrate diluted per directions can work in a pinch.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Substitute almond or oat milk and use dairy-free yogurt or omit yogurt and use extra milk.

Why rub zest into sugar?

Rubbing zest into sugar helps release oils, boosting the orange aroma and taste en.wikipedia.org+15preppykitchen.com+15simplyrecipes.com+15.

How do I know when it’s done?

The top should be golden and a toothpick inserted yields moist crumbs—not wet batter.

Can I freeze the cake?

Yes—wrap cooled slices well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Can I bake cupcakes instead?

Yes—fill liners two-thirds and bake for ~18–20 minutes; test doneness with a toothpick.

Is yogurt necessary?

It adds tenderness and moisture; you can omit or replace with panna cotta, but adjust liquid.

Can I add spices?

Absolutely—1 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice complements the orange flavor nicely.

Conclusion

This quick, moist orange cake is perfect when you crave citrus but don’t want to fuss. With simple ingredients and no mixer required, it bakes evenly into a tender, cake that’s balanced, fresh, and endlessly adaptable. Enjoy a slice with tea, and feel free to experiment with icing, nuts, or glaze!