Moist Orange Loaf Cake

📝 Description:

This Moist Orange Loaf Cake is a soft, buttery, and citrusy cake bursting with fresh orange flavor. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. Topped with a zesty orange glaze, every slice is moist, fragrant, and tender — the kind of cake that melts in your mouth.

🌍 Origin:

Loaf cakes are traditional in many Western baking cultures, especially British and American. This orange version gives a Mediterranean twist, as oranges are a staple fruit in countries like Spain, Italy, and Morocco.

🧾 Ingredients (Quantities):

For the cake:

All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups (190g)
Baking powder – 1 ½ tsp
Salt – ¼ tsp
Unsalted butter (softened) – ½ cup (113g)
Granulated sugar – ¾ cup (150g)
Eggs – 2 large
Orange zest – from 2 oranges
Freshly squeezed orange juice – ½ cup (120ml)
Whole milk or Greek yogurt – ¼ cup (60ml)
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

For the orange glaze (optional but recommended):

Powdered sugar – ¾ cup (90g)
Fresh orange juice – 2–3 tbsp
Orange zest – ½ tsp (optional)

🧂 Optional Ingredients:

Almond flour – replace ¼ cup flour for a nutty texture
Cardamom or cinnamon – ¼ tsp for spice
Poppy seeds – 1 tbsp for crunch
Orange extract – ½ tsp for intense orange flavor
Chopped candied orange peel – for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a loaf pan (8×4 inch or similar).
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter & sugar: In another bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add eggs & flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and milk/yogurt.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add dry mixture into wet, mixing until just combined (don’t overmix).
Pour & bake: Pour batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool & glaze: Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
Prepare glaze: Mix powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Pour over cooled cake and let it drip down the sides.

✅ Tips for Success:

Use fresh orange juice and zest — bottled juice won’t give the same flavor.
Don’t overmix the batter to keep the crumb tender.
Let the loaf cool fully before glazing, or the glaze will melt off.
Store in an airtight container to maintain moistness for up to 4 days.
For extra moistness, brush with warm orange syrup right after baking.

💡 Recommendations:

Serve with hot tea, coffee, or fresh orange juice.
Top with orange slices or candied zest for presentation.
Make mini loaves or muffins with the same batter (adjust baking time accordingly).
Pairs beautifully with vanilla whipped cream or mascarpone on the side.