Mouth-Watering Orange Pound Cake With a Twist of Citrus Zest
Greetings my fellow culinary enthusiasts! Today, I am thrilled to share with you my delicious and easy orange pound cake recipe. This recipe is best for those with a love for citrusy desserts, especially orange-flavored ones. Trust me, after one bite of this dense orange pound cake, you’re sure gonna love it!
This cake is sure to be a hit at your next family gathering, potluck or dinner party as it’s flavorful and incredibly moist.
With just a handful of ingredients readily found in your kitchen, you can whip up this yummy treat in no time. The ingredients list includes fresh orange juice, orange zest, eggs, cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla extract, salt, unsalted butter, baking powder, sugar and all-purpose flour.
Moreover, my recipe includes a delectable orange glaze that is perfect to drizzle over the cake once it has cooled down. The sweet and tangy glaze will set your taste buds alight!
So what are you waiting for? Without further ado let’s dive right into the recipe and bake ourselves a scrumptious orange pound cake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a recipe that is both sweet and tangy? My Fresh Orange Pound Cake recipe is the perfect choice for you! This cake is delicious and full of fresh orange flavor, making it an excellent dessert for any occasion.
The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and butter provides a dense, moist texture to the cake that balances perfectly with the juicy bursts of fresh orange. The aroma of freshly grated orange zest will fill your kitchen with a citrusy scent that is distinctly uplifting.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s easily customizable for any occasion. You can turn it into a bundt or loaf cake or even prepare it as a single-layer cake. Pair it with an orange syrup, cream cheese frosting or opt for simple lemon glaze. Each variation perfectly elevates the flavor of this Fresh Orange Pound Cake.
This recipe has been mastered over time, ensuring that every bite will offer a high-quality taste experience from start to finish. It’s simple, easy to make and requires basic ingredients that make it budget-friendly too. Trust me; once you try this recipe, you’re going to love it!
Ingredient List
Before we dive into the how-to for this fresh orange pound cake recipe, let’s first round up all the ingredients you’ll need. Some of these are likely to be in your pantry already, so don’t be intimidated by the list:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 sticks (1 cup) of unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups of granulated sugar
- 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup of sour cream, at room temperature
- Finely grated zest of 2 oranges
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 1 orange)
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
We’ll also need to make the glaze that goes on top:
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 1/2 an orange)
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
That’s it! With a little bit of prep work, you’ll have everything you need to make this delicious orange pound cake.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This is a crucial step as it will ensure that the oven is at the required temperature when it’s time to bake the cake.
Step 2: Prepare Cake Pan
Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with butter and coat it lightly with flour. This will make it easier to release the cake from the pan once it’s baked.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt until well combined. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed in the batter.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 2 sticks (226g) of unsalted butter at room temperature and 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process adds air to the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract
Add 4 extra-large eggs at room temperature and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat until the batter is light and fluffy.
Step 6: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two batches, alternating with 1¼ cups (300ml) fresh orange juice, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (flour). Mix until just combined; do not overmix as this could make the cake dense.
Step 7: Fold in Orange Zest and Sour Cream
Using a spatula or wooden spoon fold in finely grated zest of two oranges and 1 cup (220g) sour cream into the batter until well incorporated.
Step 8: Bake The Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the surface. Bake in a preheated oven for 60-70 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool in its pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan. Let it cool completely before serving to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy your freshly baked, moist and delicious orange pound cake!
Note: It’s important to measure your ingredients accurately to ensure your cake turns out perfectly!
Substitutions and Variations
While this orange pound cake recipe is delicious as is, there are a few ways you can switch things up to make it your own.
Substitutions:
– Sugar: If you don’t have granulated sugar on hand, you can try substituting with caster sugar or even brown sugar for a slightly different flavor profile.
– Cream cheese: Instead of using cream cheese, you can try substituting with an equal amount of ricotta cheese for a tangy twist.
– Orange juice and zest: While fresh orange juice and zest work best in this recipe, you can substitute with store-bought orange juice and pre-packaged orange zest if needed.
Variations:
– Lemon Orange Pound Cake: Swap out the orange juice and zest for lemon juice and zest to make a bright and zesty lemon-orange pound cake.
– Orange Sponge Cake: Use this recipe to make a lighter, fluffier orange sponge cake by adding whipped egg whites into the cake batter before baking.
– Orange Loaf Cake with Orange Syrup: Make an extra moist and flavorful loaf cake by brushing the baked cake with a sweet orange syrup made from orange juice, sugar and water after baking.
– Cream Cheese Frosting or Orange Glaze: Top off your cake with different frosting options. Try a tangy cream cheese frosting, or stick with the simplicity of the orange glaze that comes included in this recipe.
These substitutions and variations add versatility to this classic British dessert recipe. Give them a try and see which one becomes your new favorite!
Serving and Pairing
:
When it comes to serving this fresh orange pound cake, I recommend cutting thick slices and serving them just as they are – plain and simple. The cake’s crumb is dense yet moist, with a subtle orange flavor that shines through without overwhelming the senses.
That said, if you’re feeling like pulling all the stops, try serving this cake with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat that’ll make you lick your plate clean. The creamy pairing will balance out the dense cake texture while adding an extra layer of sweetness to the finished product.
If you want something fruity to serve alongside this orange pound cake, go for fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. These sweet treats will emphasize the tangy orange flavors in the cake and create a beautiful color contrast on your plate.
For something more indulgent and rich, I recommend making an orange glaze by whisking some powdered sugar with fresh orange juice (a ratio of 1:1 should work fine) until smooth. Drizzle this glaze liberally over each slice of cake and watch as it seeps into every crevice to create an unforgettable treat.
Alternatively, you can use candied oranges as a garnish – simply slice them thinly before sugaring and baking them in the oven until crispy – then arrange them artfully on top of each slice.
No matter which pairing you choose, this delicious orange pound cake is sure gonna make your taste buds sing – lemon-orange pound loaf or even an orange sponge cake with no bundt pan required!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once your Fresh Orange Pound Cake has cooled completely, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, to preserve the freshness and texture of the cake, I suggest storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
This cake also freezes beautifully, which means you can make it ahead of time and enjoy it whenever you crave something sweet with a zesty orange flavor. If you plan to freeze the whole cake, I recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent any freezer burn.
For reheating slices of Fresh Orange Pound Cake, microwave each slice for about 10 seconds or just until slightly warmed through. You can also reheat them in the oven by wrapping them loosely in foil and placing them on a baking sheet at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes.
To add an extra layer of decadence and citrus flavor to your cake, top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream mixed with some orange zest or drizzle some orange glaze on top. This will give you that delicious fresh orange burst that every citrus lover craves!
Tips for Perfect Results
Achieving a perfect orange pound cake can be a bit challenging, but with the right tips and tricks, you are sure to create a cake that is moist, flavorful, and indulgent. Here are some tips for ensuring perfect results.
First and foremost, ensure that all your ingredients are at room temperature. The butter should be soft enough to mix smoothly with the sugar. Cold ingredients can cause your batter to curdle or make your cake lumpy.
To ensure that your orange pound cake does not become dense, it is important to cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. This process helps the mixture trap air, giving the cake its airy texture.
It is also essential to measure your ingredients accurately using measuring spoons and cups. Too much flour can make your cake dry while too much sugar can make it too sweet.
When adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, try not to over-beat or overmix the batter. Overmixing can make your baked goods tough and rubbery in texture.
Adding fresh orange juice and zest gives this cake its unique zesty flavor. Be sure to use freshly squeezed oranges as they will give you an intense flavor compared to store-bought juices.
Finally, once done baking, let the cake cool in the pan for ten minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you take the cake out of its pan too early, it might break apart. And now you have your perfect orange pound cake!
FAQ
As we come to a close on this recipe article, I want to address any questions or concerns that may have been left unanswered throughout the article. Here in the FAQ section, I will address some common inquiries about this fresh orange pound cake recipe. So, let’s jump right in!
What’s the difference between Bundt and pound cake?
When it comes to cake, the type of pan used can make all the difference. While any cake can be turned into a bundt cake by baking it in a bundt pan, pound cakes are a unique type of cake that have a specific recipe and texture. These cakes are known for their dense and rich flavor, and are traditionally made using a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour.
Why is pound cake so dry?
Nobody wants a dry cake, it’s just the worst. It can happen if you baked it for too long (whoops!) or if you didn’t use the correct amount of ingredients, like adding too much flour or not enough butter and sugar. If this happens, don’t panic, just try lowering the oven temperature next time or take the cake out a bit earlier. Trust me, you don’t want to ruin a good cake!
What causes a pound cake to be gummy?
A cake turning out rubbery can be attributed to the activation of gluten from over mixing the flour. This results in a tough texture instead of the desired soft and spongy consistency that indicates a well-made cake. The root cause of this issue is often due to improper creaming of butter and sugar.
How do you make a Mary Berry orange cake?
For this recipe, we’ll need some baking spread, self-raising flour, baking powder, golden caster sugar, brown sugar, large eggs, and the finely grated zest of two oranges. These ingredients will come together to create a delicious and moist cake that’s perfect for any occasion. So let’s get started!
How do you keep a pound cake from being dry?
Looking to make your cake taste even more delightful? Why not try making a cake soak. It’s a simple concoction that involves equal parts sugar and water, evaporated milk, buttermilk, or even a little splash of liqueur. Start by poking some small holes in your cake layer with a wooden skewer or toothpick. Then, take a pastry brush and gently dab the liquid over the surface of the cake in order to add more moisture to your layers. Delicious!
Bottom Line
When it comes to desserts, I always look for something that delivers a burst of fresh flavor and a touch of comfort. And that’s exactly what this fresh orange pound cake recipe offers. It’s easy to make, versatile, and perfect for any occasion. With the vibrant orange flavor, dense crumb, and tender texture, this pound cake is sure gonna become your go-to dessert recipe.
Whether you serve it with a cup of tea or as a light afternoon treat, this cake is sure to delight your taste buds. So why not channel your inner baker and give this easy orange pound cake recipe a try? Don’t forget to experiment with different variations and toppings to make it your own.
With this recipe in your arsenal, you’ll have a classic dessert that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying on your own. So are you ready to indulge in the moist and delicious orange goodness? Give this recipe a shot today!
Fresh Orange Pound Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1 orange, zest of
- 1 orange, juice of
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, and salt and mix.
- Mix in butter, sour cream, cream cheese, orange juice, vanilla extract, and eggs.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes.
- Optional: Glaze the finished cake with either glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice, or pour chocolate sauce over the cooled cake.
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
None found
Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.