This Magical Orange Cake is a lovely simple cake made with a whole orange, giving it plenty of fresh orange flavour without any extra fuss. With everyday ingredients including flour, eggs, sugar and butter, it’s an easy one to make whenever you feel like baking.
The whole orange is what makes this cake a little bit special, while the simple method makes it a reliable recipe to come back to again and again.
Do I need a food processor for this cake?
I found this recipe many years ago on a recipe message board, I have since seen it in so many places all over the internet so I am not sure who to attribute this to. But I can say that it is sensational. No fussy techniques but you will require a food processor as it is all made in that.
Do I really use the whole orange?
As I have mentioned, this cake uses a whole orange, the ENTIRE thing! This is not a typo. I often have people query this or say, I didn’t want to do that, so I used just the skin or just the insides. That is fine, but you need to TRUST me, this cake is absolutely divine made this way. I tend to cut off the green stalky bit and occasionally I will slice off a thick end piece. But otherwise follow each step in this recipe and you will have a truly special cake.
What ingredients are in this 5-ingredient orange cake?
In addition to an orange, there are only four other ingredients, so a 5 minute cake with 5 ingredients sounds like my idea of fun. Self raising flour, sugar, eggs and butter is all that goes into this one. The flavour is absolutely sensational, the smell even more so.
Can I make this orange cake as cupcakes?
This recipe also makes delicious little cupcakes, which are perfect when you want something a little smaller. Simply make the mixture as usual, divide it between cupcake cases and bake at the same temperature, checking them from around 15 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
How to make this orange cake and which tin to use
The method is so simple, you will need a food processor, but all you do is pulp the whole orange, then add the eggs and sugar, the butter and finally the self-raising flour. Only takes a few minutes, takes longer to heat the oven!
I like to make mine in a ring tin, it is not a huge cake, but you can make it in a loaf tin or a small baking pan, approximately 20-23cm.
Cake troubleshooting tips
Every oven and cake can behave a little differently, so if you ever have trouble with your baking, I have put together a handy Cake Troubleshooting Guide. It covers some of the most common cake problems and what might have caused them.
Can I make this cake with lemon?
I have also created a lemon version of this, and it is absolutely delicious. You want to ensure you use good quality tasty lemons and remove the pips. But it is well worth a try if you are a lemon fan. You can find the recipe for Magical Lemon Cake here.
More of my favourite orange recipes
- Orange Crunch Muffins
- Citrus Slice
- White Chocolate & Cranberry Loaves with Citrus Glaze
- Orange Crackle Biscuits
- Orange Chocolate Chip Biscuits
What icing works best with this orange cake?
I have chosen to ice this cake with my basic vanilla icing. I love the simple sweetness in contrast to the bright orange flavours of the cake. You can of course use any icing you choose, or add zest or orange juice to make it even more of a citrus explosion. But I really like this simple way. Those ingredients are also so simple, icing sugar, melted butter, vanilla and water.
Easy Magical Orange Cake Recipe
Easy Magical Orange Cake
Magical Orange Cake is an easy, reliable cake with lovely fresh orange flavour and a simple method that makes it perfect for everyday baking.
Ingredients
- 1 Orange, Whole, Large
- 125 g Butter, melted
- 1 Cup White Sugar, 215 g
- 2 Eggs
- 1½ Cups Self Raising Flour, 225 g
Simple Vanilla Icing
- 1½ Cups Icing Sugar, 210 g
- 5 g Butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
- 1-3 Tablespoons Water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Generously grease a small ring tin or 20cm round tin with cooking spray or melted butter, line the base with baking paper, and set aside.
- Wash the orange, remove the green stalk, cut into quarters, and pulse in a food processor until it forms a pulp. Add the eggs and sugar, blend for 20 seconds, then scrape down the sides and blend for another 20 seconds.
- Add melted butter and blend for 20-30 seconds until fully combined.
- Finally add the flour and blend briefly again until smooth and lump-free.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 35 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and carefully remove. Cool completely on a wire rack before icing.
- For the icing, in a medium bowl, mix the sifted icing sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Gradually add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the icing just starts to fall from the spoon.
- Spread the icing over the cooled cake. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve; the cake will keep for at least 3 days.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- The sweeter and juicier the orange the better the outcome will be. I like to ice my orange cake with a simple vanilla icing but it can be left plain or with an orange syrup and vanilla glaze.
- This recipe makes lovely cupcakes too, cook at the same temperature but for around 13-15 minutes
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 395Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 54mgSodium 85mgCarbohydrates 79gFiber 1gSugar 72gProtein 2g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I really hope you love this Magical Orange Cake as much as we do. It is such a simple and delicious cake to have up your sleeve, and one I know you’ll come back to again and again. Whether you ice it, leave it plain or serve with a simple orange syrup it is a total winner.
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
You can also find me over on Facebook and Instagram for more baking and cooking inspiration, or join my newsletter to receive my latest recipes straight to your inbox.
Happy baking,
Anna x
Denise Pryor says
absolutely love this recipe. so easy & so delicious have made it often
Claire H says
Your version of this recipe has become one of my ride or die favourites! Because it’s only one orange, I peel the zest off with a potato peeler, and then remove the pith before adding the orange segments to the blender. Takes away any bitterness, which I am somewhat sensitive to.
I often top it with a few frozen blueberries or sliced fruit tossed in a mixture of icing sugar and cornflour. Saves the need for icing and perfect for lunchboxes.
Tracey says
Yum! I’ve just made this this afternoon – super yummy and easy. I didn’t have enough icing sugar so I added custard powder to the icing and it’s like a dessert! I’ve shared your recipe on my Facebook business page – Cosy Toes with a photo for my followers too. I love your recipes and you are my go to for baking now. Thank you!
justamumnz says
Thank you Tracey and for sharing with with your followers.
JACQUIE HENDERSON says
Our Favourite new cake recipe !! Both My husband and I make it …Tastes superb and the compliments sure flow from anyone we share it with .
Tash says
Added chocolate chips. Hello orange chocolate chip mini loaves. Wonderful gifts. Wonderful recipe! Wonderful recipe writer!!
Suzann says
Could you please tell me approx weight of lemons please
Jannine Goodhew says
This cake was so easy to make. It tastes delicious. Highly recommend it.
Sheila says
What an awesome recipe! I love it! Subbed oil for butter, cut the sugar down to half a cup and used two regular oranges instead of 1. Worked perfectly. I love it! Thanks so much.
justamumnz says
Great! Glad it worked out for you.
Meredith says
Just made it as cup cakes. Currently in the oven. So easy..
justamumnz says
Wonderful, enjoy
Jo says
I tried this yesterday and it came out so well…thanks for this quickie.
Barbara Bennett says
Made this cake today, I will admit I had my doubts…..but it was a huge success & so easy. Family were very impressed, so thank you. ?
justamumnz says
Wonderful! ☺️
carol-ann garcia says
i MADE THIS CAKE IT IS AMAZING SO EASY AND SO YUMMMMM WOW YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT .CRIMINAL NOT TO
justamumnz says
Glad you love it! ☺️
Diana says
I tried to print this recipe but your automatic printing thingy told me it was going to take 13 pages of A4 paper! This seems a tad excessive…
justamumnz says
Lol yes, my older recipes don’t have a print feature like the new ones for just the recipe. Simply select/copy only the recipe and method then print just that selection. ?
jo Swanepoel says
In the interest of science I tried this recipie with mandarins. Looks pretty good to me! Still in the oven but batter definitely was tasty!
justamumnz says
So awesome to hear it worked with Mandarins! You used 7 baby ones, and another person used 4 normal sized ones – and all loved it so that is great! xo
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
What a stunning cake! Thanks for linking up with us 🙂
Tammi Kwok says
Oh wow! I definitely did not think that this cake included a whole orange!! Love the way it’s presented too – I’m a sucker for rose piping.
House in Tillford says
wow that does sound super easy- perfect for when you get that sweet craving and want to whip up something quick!
bakeplaysmile says
How gorgeous!! Can you teach me how to ice like that?? I’m going over to check your steps out now as I’m making a cake this weekend for a baby shower! Mmm I love orange cakes! Thank you so much for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party and sharing your foodie love around! xx
Just a Mum says
That is the easiest piping method ever! Just discovered it and its so simple and looks really effective 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Danielle L says
A 5 minute cake made in a food processor – you have my attention. I also have a new bundt tin I haven’t used yet…that may be about to change!
Just a Mum says
Yay = let me know how you get on 🙂
SNKitchen says
This looks so good, I actually want a piece right now!
Alpana Deo says
Hey.. This cake looks simple. I have something similar on my page. Its ‘Eggless Orange Cake’. Feel free to check out http://www.motherrsgurukul.com