5-Ingredient Orange Cake

You know those recipes that sound too good to be true? Yeah, this one’s actually legit. Five ingredients, zero fuss, and a cake so moist it’ll make you question every dry, overcomplicated dessert you’ve ever suffered through. Oh, and we’re boiling whole oranges like some kind of kitchen sorcerers trust me, it works. Let’s bake something stupidly delicious.

Try my Crispy Carrot Cake Bites recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Orange Cake (No BS, Just Facts)

✅ Only 5 ingredients: No last-minute grocery runs, no weird pantry staples.

✅ Gluten-free & dairy-free: But definitely not flavor-free. (No one will even guess.)

✅ Peels = power move: Boiling the whole oranges makes them sweet, not bitter. Plus, less prep work win-win.

✅ Stupid easy to make: No mixer, no fancy steps. Just boil, blend, mix, bake.

✅ Moist for DAYS: Gets better as it sits (if you don’t eat it all in one sitting).

✅ Impresses people: “You made this from scratch?!” (Yes, but let them be amazed.)

✅ Breakfast or dessert: Eat it with coffee or top with yogurt. Zero judgment here.

Basically, it’s the cake that looks fancy but acts chill. 🍊✨

(Now go make it you got this!)

Try my Orange, Carrot and Almond Cake recipe.

What You’ll Need To Make

Let’s Talk Ingredients (Because They’re Kinda Magic)

🍊 Whole Oranges (Yes, Peel Too!): Sounds weird, I know. But boiling them whole softens the peel and removes bitterness, leaving just sweet, fragrant citrus goodness. No zesting, no juicing just blend and go.

🍯 Honey: Nature’s perfect sweetener! It keeps the cake moist and adds a floral depth that sugar just can’t match. Plus, it’s unrefined so we’re basically health heroes here.

🥚 Eggs: The glue that holds this beauty together. They add structure, richness, and that perfect golden crumb.

🌰 Almond Flour: Gluten-free? Check. Nutty flavor? Check. Tender texture? Double check. It’s the reason this cake doesn’t taste like “diet food.”

🧂 Baking Powder: Our little lift MVP. Just 2 tsp gives this dense cake the perfect rise without any fuss.

The Best Part? You probably have most of this in your kitchen right now. No fancy grocery trips required. 🙌

NOTE: For measurements and rest of the ingredients check the recipe card below.

What You’ll Need To Do

Time required: 1 hour 35 mins Serves: 12

Easy 5-Ingredient Orange Cake – Let’s Bake! 🍊✨

Step 1: Soften Those Oranges

Toss your whole oranges (yep, peel and all!) into a pot, cover them with water, and let ’em party in a rolling boil. Reduce the heat and let them simmer for 25 minutes – they’ll turn tender and slightly sweet. Drain, cool, and get ready for their cake debut!

Step 2: Prep the Stage

While the oranges chill, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and give your 10-inch cake pan some love – either line it with parchment or grease it up so your cake doesn’t stick.

Step 3: Whisk, Then Woo!

In a big bowl, whisk together the eggs and honey until they’re best friends. Then, gently fold in the almond flour and baking powder – no lumps allowed!

Step 4: Orange Blitz

Chop the boiled oranges roughly (just pluck out any seeds, but keep that flavorful peel!). Toss them into a blender and pulse until smooth. Stir this sunny orange puree into your batter – it’s the magic ingredient!

Step 5: Bake & Bask in Glory

Pour the batter into your prepped pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 10 minutes (if you can resist!), then slice and enjoy your citrusy masterpiece.

Pro Tip: This cake gets even better the next day – if it lasts that long! 😉

Happy baking! 🧡🍰

Glycemic Index: 35-40 (Low) Glycemic Load: 8-10 (Low)

Easy Ingredient Swaps (No Stress, Just Options!)

🍊 Oranges → Try clementines, tangerines, or Meyer lemons for a twist! (Adjust sweetness if needed.)

🍯 Honey → Maple syrup, agave, or coconut sugar work great. For sugar-free, use monk fruit sweetener (but texture may change slightly).

🌰 Almond Flour → Swap with cashew flour, sunflower seed flour (for nut-free), or oat flour (not GF unless certified).

🥚 Eggs → For vegan, try flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg) or chia eggs.

🧂 Baking Powder → If out, mix 1 tsp baking soda + 2 tsp cream of tartar as a sub.

Want More Fun?

• Add 1 tsp cinnamon or cardamom for warmth.
• Fold in dark chocolate chips (because chocolate + orange = 💖).
• Top with coconut yogurt or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

No rules just tasty experiments! 😋

Try my Banana Bread Carrot Cake recipe.

Fun Recipe Tweaks (Make It Your Own!)

Flavor Boosters

• Zest it up: Add extra orange zest for a brighter citrus punch
• Spice life: Mix in ½ tsp cinnamon, cardamom, or vanilla extract
• Herbal twist: Fold in 1 tbsp chopped rosemary or thyme (sounds weird, tastes amazing)

Texture Play

• Crunchy top: Sprinkle sliced almonds or coconut flakes before baking
• Gooey center: Add a chocolate ganache or orange marmalade swirl
• Extra moist: Soak baked cake with orange juice syrup

Dietary Twists

• Paleo: Use coconut flour (reduce to ¾ cup + add 1 extra egg)
• Protein-packed: Replace ¼ cup almond flour with vanilla protein powder
• Lower carb: Swap honey for sugar-free maple syrup + add 1 tbsp psyllium husk

Presentation Upgrades

• Mini cakes: Bake in muffin tins (reduce time to 25-30 mins)
• Fancy layers: Split cake and fill with orange-infused whipped cream
• Party version: Make as orange cake pops!

Seasonal Variations

• Winter: Add cranberries and orange glaze
• Summer: Top with fresh berries and mint
• Fall: Mix in pumpkin spice and pecans

Pro Tip: Keep notes when tweaking – your perfect version might be one experiment away! Which tweak will you try first? 😉

Pro Tips for Orange Cake Success 🎯

Orange Prep

• Pick thin-skinned oranges – They boil faster and blend smoother
• Check for seeds! – Blend a little longer if your oranges are seedy
• Save the boiling water – Makes amazing orange tea or simple syrup

Batter Hacks

• Room temp eggs – Whisk easier and create fluffier texture
• Sift almond flour – Prevents lumpy batter (worth the extra 30 seconds)
• Taste test – Adjust honey by 1-2 tbsp based on orange sweetness

Baking Know-How

• Oven thermometer – Almond flour cakes hate hot ovens
• Tent with foil – If top browns too fast at 40-minute mark
• Don’t overbake – The toothpick should have tiny moist crumbs

Serving & Storage

• Wait to slice – Let cool completely for clean cuts
• Freeze well – Wrap slices for up to 3 months
• Next-day magic – Flavors deepen overnight (hide some if you can)

Troubleshooting

• Too dense? Check your baking powder isn’t expired
• Cracked top? Totally normal with almond flour cakes
• Sticking? Run a knife under hot water before slicing

Bonus: The orange scent while baking is your free aromatherapy session 🧡

Which tip helped you most? Drop a comment below! 👇

Try my Fluffy Protein Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce recipe.

Budget-Savvy Tips for Your Orange Cake 💰🍊

Ingredient Hacks

• Oranges: Buy in bulk bags (cheaper per orange) or use slightly imperfect “ugly” fruit
• Almond Flour: Make your own by blending raw almonds (cheaper than pre-ground)
• Honey: Look for store-brand or bulk-bin options (just as good for baking)

Smart Shopping

• Check ethnic markets: Often have cheaper nuts and honey
• Buy baking powder in bulk: Way cheaper per teaspoon
• Use frozen oranges: When citrus is out of season, frozen segments work too

Waste-Not Tricks

• Save orange peels: Dry them for homemade potpourri or zest
• Repurpose boiling liquid: Add to tea or make orange-infused water
• Eggshell bonus: Crush and add to plants for calcium boost

Batch Cooking

• Double the recipe: Uses same oven time, freeze extras
• Make mini muffins: Stretch batter further for snacks
• Swap half almond flour: With ground oats (cheaper but still tasty)

Pro Tip: This cake actually gets more flavorful after a day, making it perfect for stretching your dessert budget further!

Which money-saving trick will you try first? 😉

Diet-Friendly Variations

Here’s how to tweak this orange cake for Keto, Low-Carb, and Paleo diets while keeping it delicious:

Keto & Low-Carb Version (<5g net carbs/slice)

Swap these ingredients:

• Honey → Erythritol or Allulose (1:1 ratio, powdered works best)
• Oranges → Reduced orange extract + zest (2 tsp extract + zest of 1 orange to cut carbs)
• Add 1 tbsp coconut flour (helps absorb moisture lost from honey)

Pro tips:

• Boil 1 small orange (instead of 2) and use sparingly in batter.
• Top with sugar-free whipped cream sweetened with stevia.

Paleo Version (Grain-free, unprocessed)

Swap these ingredients:

• Honey → Raw honey or maple syrup (already paleo-friendly!)
• Baking Powder → DIY paleo version (1:1 baking soda + cream of tartar)

Pro tips:

• Use organic oranges to avoid pesticide residue in peels.
• Add 1/4 cup coconut oil for extra richness.

Universal Tweaks for All Versions:

• Boost fat/protein: Add 2 tbsp collagen powder (unflavored).
• Texture fix: If batter seems thin, add 1 extra egg white.
• Test doneness early: Sugar subs bake faster check at 45 mins.

Why it works: Almond flour is naturally low-carb, and the orange flavor shines even with reduced fruit. All versions stay gluten/dairy-free!

Want a specific adjustment? Ask away! 😊

Serving Ideas to Make Your Orange Cake Shine 🌟

Classic & Simple

• Dust with powdered sugar (or powdered erythritol for keto)
• Drizzle with honey (or sugar-free syrup) for extra sweetness
• Serve with fresh orange slices for a pretty presentation

Creamy & Decadent

• Top with whipped coconut cream (dairy-free!)
• Add a dollop of Greek yogurt + orange zest
• Pair with vanilla ice cream (or keto-friendly ice cream)

Fancy & Festive

• Glaze with orange icing (mix powdered sugar + orange juice)
• Garnish with edible flowers (like pansies or nasturtiums)
• Serve with a citrus salad (orange segments + mint + pistachios)

For Breakfast or Brunch

• Toast slices lightly + spread with almond butter
• Top with ricotta & berries for a protein boost
• Enjoy with a cup of Earl Grey tea (orange flavor harmony!)

Party-Worthy Twists

• Make mini trifles (layer cake, yogurt, and fresh fruit)
• Skewer as cake pops (dip in dark chocolate for extra flair)
• Turn into French toast (yes, really egg wash & pan-fry slices)

Pro Tip: This cake tastes even better the next day the flavors meld beautifully!

Which serving idea will you try first? 😍

Try my Vegan Carrot Cake Sheet Pan recipe.

Storage & Reheating Tips for Your Orange Cake 🍰🔁

Room Temperature Storage (Best for 1-2 Days)

✅ Store in an airtight container with parchment paper to prevent sticking
✅ Keep in a cool, dry place (not near the stove or fridge)
⏳ Lasts 2 days max (almond flour cakes dry out faster than wheat flour ones)

Refrigerator Storage (Up to 5 Days)

✅ Wrap tightly in beeswax wrap or foil to lock in moisture
✅ Place in a sealed container to avoid fridge odors
❄️ Let slices come to room temp before eating (or warm slightly)

Freezer Storage (Up to 3 Months)

✅ Slice before freezing for easy grab-and-go portions
✅ Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap + foil
🔄 Thaw overnight in fridge or 30 mins at room temp

Reheating for Best Texture

🔥 Microwave (10 sec/slice): Quick but can dry edges sprinkle with orange juice first
🔥 Oven (300°F/5 mins): Best for whole cake cover with foil to prevent browning
🔥 Air Fryer (300°F/3 mins): Crisps edges slightly great for day-old slices

Reviving Dry Cake

💦 Brush with simple syrup (1:1 water + honey heated)
💦 Steam briefly: Place in microwave with a cup of hot water for 20 sec

Pro Tip: Freeze individual slices between parchment paper perfect for sudden cravings!

Which storage hack will you use? 😊

Try my Carrot Cake Energy Balls recipe.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it a cake that’s basically foolproof, impossible to mess up, and guaranteed to disappear faster than your willpower at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Make it, eat it, brag about it (you’re allowed to take full credit). And if someone asks for the recipe? Send ’em my way… or don’t. I won’t judge. Happy baking, you kitchen legend. 🍊🔥

Recipe Card