Description
This Orange Juice Cake features a moist, orange-infused base with a cardamom-spiced cream cheese swirl and a crunchy almond-coconut topping. It’s a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (250g / 2 cups): Provides structure for a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar (200g / 1 cup): Adds sweetness and tenderness.
- Baking Powder (2 tsp / 8g): Leavening agent for a light texture.
- Baking Soda (½ tsp / 2g): Reacts with orange juice for extra lift.
- Salt (¼ tsp / 1g): Enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
- Fresh Orange Juice (120ml / ½ cup): Provides flavor and aroma.
- Vegetable Oil (60ml / ¼ cup): Adds moisture and tenderness.
- Large Eggs (2, room temperature): Binds ingredients and adds structure.
- Orange Zest (2 tsp / 10ml, about 1 orange): Concentrated orange flavor.
- Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract (1 tsp / 5ml): Enhances overall flavor.
- Cream Cheese (200g / 8oz, softened): Base for the luscious swirl.
- Unsalted Butter (50g / ¼ cup, softened): Adds richness to the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar (80g / ⅔ cup, sifted): Sweetens and smooths the frosting.
- Honey (1 tsp + 2 tbsp): Adds floral sweetness and moisture.
- Ground Cardamom (½ tsp / 2g): Adds warm, aromatic flavor.
- Orange Zest (1 tsp / 5ml, for frosting): Extra citrus burst.
- Orange Juice (1 tbsp / 15ml, for frosting): Enhances orange flavor.
- Sliced Almonds (30g / ¼ cup): Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut (30g / ¼ cup): Complements almonds and adds texture.
- Melted Butter (1 tbsp / 15ml, for crumb): Helps crumble stick together.
- Salt (Pinch, for crumb): Balances sweetness.
- Cornstarch (½ tsp) + Water (1 tbsp): Thickens the glaze.
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease/line a 9-inch cake pan.
- Combine Dry: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet: Beat sugar, oil, eggs, orange juice, zest, and vanilla.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Bake: Pour into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Toast Crumble: Toast almonds and coconut until browned.
- Prepare Crumble: Toss toasted mixture with melted butter and salt.
- Cool Cake: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert to cool completely.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar, honey, cardamom, zest, and juice.
- Swirl & Sprinkle: Frost cake, swirl, and sprinkle with crumble.
- Glaze & Serve: Cook glaze ingredients until thickened and drizzle over crumble.
Notes
Using room temperature ingredients ensures proper emulsification. Fresh orange juice provides the best flavor. Don’t overbake the cake to avoid dryness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: orange cake,cardamom,cream cheese,baking,dessert,citrus,almond,coconut,easy