Moist Orange Cake

Moist Orange Cake! Bright, citrusy, and super soft. This one is tender enough to melt in your mouth, with a fresh orange flavor that really pops. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step recipe.

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🍊 Moist Orange Cake

⏱️ Time

• Prep: 20 minutes

• Bake: 30–35 minutes

• Total: ~55 minutes

🍴 Serves

8–10 slices

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🛒 Ingredients

Cake

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Zest of 2 large oranges

• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

• ½ cup milk

Orange Glaze (optional but recommended)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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🔪 Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease and flour an 8×8-inch pan or line with parchment paper.

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Step 2: Mix dry ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:

   • Flour

   • Baking powder

   • Salt

2. Set aside.

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Step 3: Cream butter and sugar

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).

2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. Mix in vanilla extract and orange zest.

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Step 4: Combine wet and dry

1. Mix orange juice and milk together.

2. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the orange juice/milk mixture (start and end with dry).

   • Mix gently after each addition, just until incorporated.

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Step 5: Bake

1. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.

2. Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

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Step 6: Make the glaze

1. While cake is cooling, whisk together:

   • Powdered sugar

   • Orange juice (start with 2 tbsp, add more if needed)

   • Vanilla extract

2. The glaze should be thick but pourable.

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Step 7: Glaze and serve

1. While cake is still slightly warm, poke holes with a fork or skewer and drizzle the glaze over it.

2. Let it soak in for a few minutes.

3. Slice and serve.

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💡 Tips for Maximum Moisture

• Always use fresh orange juice and zest — bottled juice doesn’t give the same flavor.

• Don’t overmix the batter once you add flour; overmixing = dense cake.

• For extra flavor, brush baked cake with 2 tbsp orange juice before glazing.