Make a Whole Orange Cake!

I have been seeing a lot of people making orange cakes using the whole orange, rind and all, and I had to try it. I love anything citrus, and this week has been…a lot. So I thought I would make a cake. Actually, two cakes, one for us and one for a neighbor. Seeing the way Minnesotans are showing up for their neighbors in -20º temperatures has been amazing. 

It prompted me to call our local food pantry to find out what items they needed most, and I also made several birthday cake kits. More on that later in the post. I guess what I am saying is that I want to try to show up for my neighbors, even in small ways. Like sharing a small orange cake with my elderly neighbors, and asking if they need anything. It’s quite cold and icy here in Connecticut, too.

Ingredient list: what you’ll need to make this orange cake recipe

• Fresh medium oranges (scrubbed well to remove any wax or dirt on the peel)
• Butter (at room temperature)
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Loaf pan (smaller in size, if making two)

Special Equipment you might need to make this cake

You will need a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, a NutriBullet, or a food processor, to blend the entire orange. 

A hand or stand mixer is helpful for creaming butter and sugar.

5 simple steps to make this cake!

First, wash and scrub your oranges. Buy organic if possible. You’ll use almost two whole oranges, including the peel. The second orange will be used for orange zest and orange juice to make the orange glaze.

Trim the ends of one orange, then cut it into about 12 wedges, trimming the white pith. Pulse in a food processor or high-powered blender until you have a chunky mixture.

Some recipes call for boiling the oranges first to reduce bitterness. I skipped this step, and I do not notice any bitterness. The cake is moist and sweet, but not too sweet. 

Cream the butter and sugar. Add in the orange mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add half at a time, mixing on low to combine. Spoon the batter into a prepared pan. I used two small loaf pans. 

Bake in a 350º oven for 30-35 minutes. This can vary depending on how many pans you are using and their size. Use a toothpick to test if the cake is done. When it comes out clean, your cake is done. Cool cake or cakes on a wire rack. 

When the cake is completely cool, make a glaze with powdered sugar, orange zest, and juice. Drizzle over the cake and decorate with one orange slice. I wrapped up one in parchment paper and baker’s twine for a neighbor, and we kept one to enjoy. It’s delicious with coffee or tea, and so easy to make! Oh, and it smells heavenly! 

Full recipe at the bottom of this post!

Birthday Cake Kits for our Local Food Pantry

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen the reel I made showing how I put together birthday cake kits for our local food pantry. You can see the reel here.

It took no time at all to assemble them, and with everything going on right now, I just think these small acts of kindness are important. I mean, no child should go without a birthday cake.

Each 9 x 11 foil pan contains a cake mix in a box, frosting, sparkling water, and birthday candles. The can of soda or sparkling water can be used to make a 2-ingredient cake. It replaces oil and eggs.

What I’m wearing to keep warm these days!

It has been terribly cold with real feel temperatures just above zero. I’ve been wearing the same six or seven pieces on repeat.

I am loving my Secret Sauce jeans from AYR. (All Year Round). As someone who’s 5’10”, it’s rare to have a pair of jeans that don’t show a little ankle. And when it’s cold, it’s nice to have that coverage. And now that I have these jeans, I love the fit, the feel, and how I can wear them multiple days in a row without washing them. They come in three lengths! I plan to order a white pair that they call Cream Soda. Doesn’t that just sound like the perfect shade of white denim? They are a little on the more expensive side, but as an outfit repeater, worth every penny!

On top, I’m wearing the denim shirt from AYR. It’s soft, so comfortable, and looks good layered over a lettuce-trim turtleneck from J.Crew, or under an oversized cashmere sweater from Quince. I also wear it buttoned all the way up with nothing…well, except my favorite (comfortable) bra!

The shoes I’m wearing with the jeans mentioned above. Adidas Sambas, Shearling Lined Birkenstock Boston Clogs, or a pair of black oxfords from Eileen Fisher. All super comfortable and look great with the Secret Sauce Jeans!

My cozy camel hair coat is from Quince. I sized up so I can layer a Uniqlo thin down jacket or vest on really cold days when I’m in the city.

That’s all I have for today–let’s check in with Cindy & Mary Ann!

Cindy Hattersley Design

You can read Cindy’s Sunday post here.

Classic Casual Home

You can read Mary Ann’s Sunday post here.