This Eggless Orange Cake is soft, moist, and bursting with refreshing orange flavor. Homemade fresh orange juice and zest bring a vibrant, natural tang to this orange cake.
Made from scratch, it’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, tea-time snacks, or even as a dessert for the holidays or any time you’re in the mood for something delicious and simple to make!
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Table of contents
This cake recipe is super easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and yields a moist, flavorful eggless orange cake every time.
This easy cake recipe includes step-by-step instructions, pro tips and tricks, and a detailed video to help you bake this citrus delight perfectly every time.
About Orange Cake
This easy and simple orange cake is a delightful citrus dessert that mingles the freshness and tang of oranges with a soft, moist texture. Prepared using the freshest orange juice and orange zest, this orange cake has a natural and aromatic citrus flavor.
Making this orange cake is really simple. All you need is all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, orange zest, fresh orange juice, thick yogurt, granulated sugar, neutral oil, and a little orange or vanilla extract. That’s it!
This orange dessert recipe doesn’t require any fancy gadgets and takes just 55 minutes from start to finish.
It is a no-fail recipe that doesn’t require eggs, making it a perfect treat for vegetarians. Plus, it can be made vegan with a slight adjustment, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
You can serve it plain like I did, or enjoy it with an orange glaze or simply dust some powdered sugar over it if you are serving it at holiday parties or get-togethers. This easy cake recipe is sure to become a crowd-pleaser for all occasions.
So, are you ready to bake it? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love the Recipe
This Eggless Orange Cake
✔️ is quick and easy to make
✔️ uses fresh oranges
✔️ is bursting with citrus flavor
✔️ is egg-free
✔️ can also be made vegan
✔️ is very versatile
✔️ uses simple ingredients
✔️ has a tender crumb
✔️ is perfect for tea-time or desserts
✔️ can also be served at festive occasions
Ingredients
All-purpose flour: This is used to make the base of the cake. To make it healthier, you can also use whole wheat flour or a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
Oranges: You will need fresh oranges to make the orange juice for natural citrus flavor and to get the orange zest for an aromatic and intense orange flavor.
Oil: This keeps the orange cake moist and tender. You can use vegetable oil or any neutral oil for this recipe.
Sugar: I’ve used ¾ cup granulated sugar to sweeten this cake—it perfectly balances the tangy citrus flavor. If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can use up to 1 cup of sugar. You can also use a combination of brown and granulated sugar.
Yogurt: I’ve used ½ cup of Greek yogurt for added protein. You can use any plain yogurt of your choice. Yogurt adds moisture and structure and works as an egg substitute.
Milk: A bit of milk is added to achieve the right batter consistency. You can also use water.
Rising agents: Baking powder and baking soda are used for the perfect rise and a light texture.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavors of the cake.
Flavoring: A few drops of orange extract add an intense orange flavor. You can also use vanilla extract. Adding flavoring is optional.
Variations
Vegan Orange Cake Version
To make this eggless orange cake vegan, replace yogurt with plant-based yogurt and milk with any vegan milk. Also, ensure the sugar you use is vegan-friendly.
Whole Wheat Orange Cake
For a healthier option, swap the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Gluten-Free Cake
If you follow a gluten-free diet, simply replace the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Nuts
For a nutty orange cake, add chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts to the batter for added texture.
Orange Glaze
For added sweetness and indulgence, pour an orange glaze over the cake. To make the glaze, mix powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and drizzle it on top.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is incredibly versatile, so you can enjoy it in many ways. Serve it plain as a tea-time cake along with Orange Olive Oil Muffins, Chocolate Orange Mug Cake, and orange smoothie, a hot cup of tea or coffee.
For a decadent dessert feel, pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of orange ice cream. When serving it during the holidays to family and friends, dust it with powdered sugar and decorate it with orange slices or candied peel for a simple yet festive touch.
Storage Suggestions
This cake stays fresh for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate it for 5–7 days in an airtight container. Simply bring it to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: To increase the shelf life of this cake, freeze it for up to 2 months. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Eggless Orange Cake
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Orange Juice: Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor. If you’re short on time, 100% bottled juice can also be used. Ensure the juice is unsweetened.
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Mixing: After adding the wet ingredients, avoid overmixing the batter. This ensures a soft and tender cake.
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Prep: Grease the baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This helps with easier removal and prevents the cake from sticking.
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Orange Extract: I’ve used a few drops of orange extract for a deep orange flavor, but this is optional.
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Slicing: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Eggless Orange Cake (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to Make Eggless Orange Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Zest 1-2 oranges and set the zest aside. Squeeze fresh orange juice and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour. Add the baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest and mix again. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the orange juice, yogurt, sugar, and oil until well combined.
- Add the orange or vanilla extract and mix again. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- If the batter feels too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Sprinkle additional orange zest on top, if desired.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Your moist and zesty orange loaf cake is ready! Slice and enjoy it as a refreshing snack or dessert with a cup of coffee or your favorite drink.
Recipe Card
Eggless Orange Cake [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 6 reviews)
Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
---|---|---|
55 mins | ||
Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
Desserts | International | 10 |
Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
213 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Eggless Orange Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp orange zest (optional), plus extra for topping
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- ½ cup plain yogurt (preferably thick)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup oil (neutral-flavored, like canola or vegetable)
- A few drops of orange extract or vanilla extract
- Milk, as needed
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to Make Eggless Orange Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Zest 1-2 oranges and set the zest aside. Squeeze fresh orange juice and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour. Add the baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest and mix again. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the orange juice, yogurt, sugar, and oil until well combined.
- Add the orange or vanilla extract and mix again. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
- If the batter feels too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Sprinkle additional orange zest on top, if desired.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Your moist and zesty orange loaf cake is ready! Slice and enjoy it as a refreshing snack or dessert with a cup of coffee or your favorite drink.
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NOTES:
- Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor. If you're short on time, 100% bottled juice can also be used. Ensure the juice is unsweetened.
- Grease the baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This helps with easier removal and prevents the cake from sticking.