This Orange Olive Oil Cake has vivid orange taste infused in each chunk! Recent orange juice, zest, and star anise are combined into the cake batter after which topped with candied orange zest goodness.
For those who liked our orange loaf cake that went completely bonkers on social, this orange olive oil cake is for you!
Like clockwork, my longing for citrus every thing comes round yearly when winter turns to spring. After months of heavy, wealthy flavors like pumpkin spice and peppermint, I discover myself craving one thing vivid and refreshing. And this orange olive oil cake certain delivers — it’s what I served my household on Easter, and everybody from my mother to my toddler loved it 👏🏻👏🏻
Better of all, this can be a actually easy cake recipe. You make the batter, pour it into your cake pan, and high with orange zest sugar for just a little additional texture and zing, which btw comes out of the oven tasting like slivers of candied oranges. It’s vibrant, mild, and excellent for spring!
What’s In Orange Olive Oil Cake
- All-purpose flour: This staple cake flour works nice on this olive oil cake recipe.
- Floor star anise (non-obligatory): The star anise provides a scrumptious trace of taste to this cake. For those who don’t have it, no worries, however it’s delish!
- Brown sugar: A bit of brown sugar provides a pleasant depth of taste to this olive oil cake recipe. Plus, it pairs effectively with the orange!
- Olive oil: Using extra-virgin olive oil on this recipe provides a novel depth of taste and richness to the cake. It additionally offers it a moistness that’s arduous to realize with butter alone. Don’t skip the olive oil — that is an olive oil cake in spite of everything.
- Vanilla extract: A bit of contact of vanilla extract provides the right crowning glory to this cake.
- Orange: Recent oranges are greatest! We used contemporary orange zest and orange juice on this recipe.
- Almond milk: Provides a bit extra moisture to the batter. Be happy to substitute for every other milk of your alternative.
- Granulated sugar: To make the orange zest sugar that goes on high of the cake. It’s easy and so freaking good!

High Ideas From Our Recipe Testers
- Don’t use orange slices: We examined this recipe with orange slices on high, with and with out the peel. Each the orange peels and the items of the orange section left a bitter style within the cake. So we don’t advocate putting slices of oranges on the highest regardless if it has the peel.
- Juice your oranges: for probably the most vibrant orange-forward taste, we advocate juicing your oranges contemporary slightly than utilizing store-bought orange juice.
- Selecting milk: You can too swap almond milk for normal or every other non-dairy milk of your alternative! Simply be certain it’s unsweetened.
- What the heck is star anise: For those who don’t have star anise (typically it may be arduous to seek out!), be at liberty to omit it or substitute it with a pinch of cinnamon. It gained’t have the identical taste profile, however it can nonetheless be scrumptious!


Find out how to Retailer
Have leftover cake? This olive oil orange cake may be saved in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days or within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
You can too freeze the cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and putting it in a freezer-safe bag for as much as 3 months.
attempt it!
Orange Loaf Cake
Calling all orange lovers! For those who haven’t tried our orange loaf, now’s your probability.


What to Serve with Orange Olive Oil Cake
The orange flavors on this cake supply a large number of scrumptious pairing choices! It will style heavenly with a scorching cup of Pour Over Coffee or this Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.
For those who’re feeling adventurous, attempt making this Orange Creamsicle Smoothie! Or cap off the night with this Frothy Orange Creamsicle Cocktail.
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Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe
This orange olive oil cake is a perfect balance of bright citrus flavors, nutty almond milk, and rich olive oil. It’s easy to make and perfect for spring gatherings or any time you’re craving a refreshing and tangy dessert.
Prep:20 minutes
Cook:45 minutes
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray.
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Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk the ingredients together. Set aside.
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Next, add the brown sugar and olive oil to a different mixing bowl and whisk together, making sure there are no lumps.
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Add the remaining wet ingredients to the olive oil and brown sugar and whisk to combine.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
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Transfer the batter to the cake pan. Set aside.
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In a small bowl, add the granulated sugar and orange zest. Using your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar. The sugar should become a light orange color. Top the cake with the orange zest sugar.
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Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool before serving.
Tips & Notes
- The star anise adds a delicious hint of flavor to this cake. If you don’t have it, no worries.
- We tested this recipe with orange slices on top, with and without the peel. Both the peel and the pieces of the orange segment left a bitter taste in the cake.
- We tested this cake with a delightful caramel sauce, and it was delish. If you go this route, we recommend topping with candied orange.