Italian Orange Cake

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This Italian Orange Cake also known as La Torta All’Arancia is a traditional Italian sweet cake. It is usually served in the morning for breakfast or as an afternoon snack cake. It makes the perfect Christmas morning breakfast or brunch treat!

Orange cake on a white cake stand with a slice cut on a white plate.

For years the Italian has been saying can you make a cake that is soft and perfectly moist with either an orange or lemon flavoring? So finally after all these years I did. And here it is. I had my daughter taste test it for a youtube video and she absolutely agreed. I am very proud of this cake and I hope you enjoy it too!

What makes a soft moist cake?

A soft, fluffy and moist cake is created by creaming the butter and sugar together, using cake or pastry flour, make sure your ingredients, eggs, milk, juice are all at room temperature, and the butter is softened.

Whisking or sifting the dry ingredients together is also a must. Be sure to beat the batter for a couple of minutes on high speed. Using the correct size pan and of course making sure your oven temperature is correct. A too high or too low temperature can ruin a cake.

Recipe Ingredients

Flour – cake or pastry flour
Baking Powder –
Salt
Butter – melted and cooled
Zest – of 2 oranges
Juice – fresh squeezed orange juice
Sugar – I like to use fine sugar but granulated will do just fine
Eggs – 2 whole eggs and 1 yolk, all should be at room temperature.
Vanilla –
Milk – I use either 2% or whole milk, room temperature

How to Make Cake Flour

For every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch. Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free. Cake flour in cakes will give you a very tender texture and fine crumb, it will also help the cake to rise.

How to make it

In a medium bowl whisk or sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Beat the butter and zest until creamy, approximately 1 -2 minutes, add the sugar and beat 2 minutes.

Butter and sugar creamed in a silver bowl.

Add the eggs and yolk one at a time, beating between each addition, add the vanilla beat to combine on speed #4 or high speed.

Add the eggs & yolk and beat to combine.

Add the flour in 2 additions, beat in the milk then the orange juice. Beat until combined, another 1-2 minutes.

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake. Test for doneness with a toothpick. Let cool in the pan, move to wire rack or cake pan.

Dust the cake with powdered sugar and or drizzle with a simple orange glaze.

What makes a cake fall?

There are a lot a reasons a cake may fall, but the most common ones are, your oven temperature is off, you can always check it with an oven thermometer to make sure it is reading properly.
You open the oven door too early, never open the door before 25-30 minutes has passed.
Your baking powder or soda has expired and is no long active.
The pan size might not be the correct size, sometimes using a bundt pan will help.
Follow the recipe, adding the ingredients as listed.

FAQs

How to store the cake

Store the cooled baked cake at room temperate either wrapped in plastic or in a covered cake container. It will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature. You can also store the cake in the fridge, just be sure to make it airtight or it will dry out, it will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, bring it to room temperature before serving.

How to freeze a cake

Once the cake is completely cooled, double wrap it with either foil or plastic wrap and then place in a freezer safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the cake thaw overnight on the counter before serving.

Can I use all purpose flour instead of cake flour?

You can, but the cake might not turn out as soft and tender. It is very simple to make your own.

What is room temperature ingredients?

When a recipe calls for room temperature you should bring the ingredients out of the fridge at least 60 minutes before making the recipe. My house is quite cool so I bring them out the night before.

A slice of orange cake on a white plate drizzled with glaze.

If you are looking for a simple, soft Orange cake to try I hope you give make this Italian Orange Cake and enjoy it as much as we do. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!