Orange Sheet Cake Recipe

Learn how to make this homemade orange sheet cake with its incredibly moist texture and vibrant citrus flavor. This easy baking recipe features fresh orange juice and zest for the best natural flavor, plus a simple glaze that creates the perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every bite.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Serves:

1 cake (16 slices)

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">280g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">170g unsalted butter, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 large eggs, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml fresh orange juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp orange zest (from about 2-3 oranges)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the glaze:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">180g powdered sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3-4 tbsp fresh orange juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp orange zest</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">23x33cm (9x13-inch) baking pan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Microplane or zester</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer or electric hand mixer</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease your 23x33cm baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. The parchment will ensure your cake doesn't stick and makes cleanup much easier.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This pre-mixing of dry ingredients ensures they'll incorporate evenly throughout the batter, preventing any pockets of baking powder or salt in your finished cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until very light and fluffy. Don't rush this step! This process, called creaming, creates tiny air pockets that help your cake rise beautifully during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently. The gradual addition allows each egg to be properly emulsified into the fat-sugar mixture, creating a stable, silky batter.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Mix the orange juice, milk, vanilla extract, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. The acid in the orange juice will react with the baking powder to create additional lift in your cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Beginning and ending with the flour mixture, add the dry ingredients and orange juice mixture to the butter mixture in alternating batches (flour-liquid-flour-liquid-flour). Mix on low speed just until combined after each addition. This alternating method prevents gluten from overdeveloping, resulting in a tender crumb.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Pour the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly to the corners. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles that might cause holes in your cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The cake should spring back lightly when touched and will have pulled away slightly from the edges of the pan. Avoid opening the oven door during the first 20 minutes as this can cause your cake to sink.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment overhang to carefully lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. The cake needs to be fully cooled before glazing, otherwise the glaze will simply melt and be absorbed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice (start with 3 tablespoons and add more if needed), and orange zest in a bowl until smooth. The consistency should be thick but pourable - like warm honey. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more orange juice; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>When the cake is completely cool, pour the glaze over the top, using a spatula to spread it evenly if needed. The glaze will naturally settle and create a smooth finish if you allow it a few minutes. For a more finished look, you can sprinkle additional orange zest over the top.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Allow the glaze to set for at least 30 minutes before slicing the cake. This cake keeps beautifully at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor even improves on the second day as the orange notes develop further!</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Orange Sheet Cake Recipe?

This citrus cake requires all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, eggs, fresh orange juice, milk, orange zest, and vanilla extract. The glaze needs powdered sugar, additional orange juice, and zest.

How to cook Orange Sheet Cake Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Orange Sheet Cake Recipe by preheating your oven to 180°C, then mixing dry ingredients separately from creamed butter and sugar. Add eggs one by one, alternate adding dry ingredients and orange juice mixture, then bake in a lined pan for about 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Finish with a simple orange glaze once cooled.

Can I make this citrus cake dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and replace the milk with almond, oat or coconut milk. The texture may be slightly different but the orange flavour will still shine through beautifully in this dairy-free version.

How do I know when my sheet cake is perfectly baked?

A perfectly baked sheet cake will spring back lightly when touched in the centre, have pulled slightly away from the pan edges, and a toothpick inserted in the middle will come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

What's the secret to getting maximum orange flavour in a citrus cake?

For maximum orange flavour, use both juice and zest from fresh oranges (not bottled juice). Rubbing the zest into the sugar before creaming with butter will release essential oils. Blood oranges or cara cara varieties can provide even more intense flavour.

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