Sicilian whole orange cake is a moist and delicious crowd-pleasing dessert. It is called a whole orange cake, because the entire orange is used, peel and all. Perfect for any occasion, but such a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.
My mother found the original Sicilian orange cake recipe for this divine baked treat on an Italian website, and I can’t even begin to describe how moist and fruity it is. The orange scent that fills your kitchen as it bakes is also heavenly! It contains a whole orange, peel and all (no seeds), and you’ll need another orange if you make the glaze.
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The original recipe calls for an ingredient that’s mostly only available in Italy, so my mother adapted it for the rest of us and even added some yogurt, and the result is fabulous! Many of you have asked…
Getting ready for Christmas? Try these authentic Italian Christmas recipes which are great all year long!
Just know that the texture of this cake is different than a typical American cake: it’s more dense and heavy, but it’s meant to be that way. The whole orange cake also has a lovely glaze made with orange juice that soaks into the top of the cake, and works perfectly with blood oranges, too. I made a whole blood orange bundt cake to test them out (more than once)!
Tip: I once accidentally boiled the glaze into a syrup (forgot it was on the stove) and when I glazed the cake, it hardened and gave the cake a candy-like topping. I loved it! If you’d like to try this, just simmer the glaze an extra 6 or 7 minutes or so.
Everyone who’s tried it, loves it. Honestly, it’s just such a unique and crowd pleasing cake! Here’s a recent review (edited May 2023) which is only one of almost 2,800 reviews averaging 4.8 stars!
“Amazing, moist, delightful!
My whole family went back for THIRDS, didn’t last very long in our kitchen! Thanks for sharing” -Tianna
Gluten free diet? Try my gluten free recipe of this Sicilian Orange Cake!
It even gives perfect results when I make a gluten free whole orange cake. Of course, you can probably guess what I’m going to say next: you really need to use the best oranges you can get your hands on for this Sicilian whole orange cake recipe to turn out as deliciously as possible. If you can find organic, sweet, juicy oranges without a super thick rind, you’ll have it made.
Got kumquats? Make these kumquat cupcakes.
Just be sure to make this orange cake before citrus season is over! I’m sure there are other recipes for orange cake using fresh oranges, but I’d bet that this just may be the best orange cake in the world! It’s also perfect without the glaze as many have added in the comments and reviews. Speaking of reviews, take a look at all the rave reviews and comments, many bakers declaring it is the best cake they’ve ever made!
Edited Dec. 2020: I’ve just made a cranberry twist to this recipe!
Edited February 2019: I’ve made this orange cake recipe in a loaf tin, and it’s perfect. I’ve also made it in a bundt tin and the amount of batter for one recipe makes a short bundt cake. If you’re going to use a bundt tin make 1.5x the recipe.
Speaking or oranges, did you know arancini means little oranges? Try my popular recipe!
Can I Freeze this Sicilian Whole Orange Cake?
Yes, this orange cake freezes beautifully! I often have pieces in the freezer because it freezes so well!
Now adding my Sicilian Whole Lemon Cake, too! I’ve adapted this recipe for a Meyer lemon cake, too! It’s fantastic!
Do I Have to use a Food Processor to Make this Orange Cake?
I’ve been asked if a food processor or blender is necessary to make this cake and the answer is, “yes.” Unfortunately, it would be too difficult to chop the orange as finely as needed by hand. You can see how fine the orange is processed in a photo below, however, an inexpensive food processor works great.
EDITED 7/2022: Daniel Coffey (a reader) left a tip for those of you without food processors in the comments below. Since it might be difficult to find, I’m adding it here:
“I…cut the peel into coarse strips and then finely diced them. I put the chopped bits of orange into the spice grinder in two batches and pulsed the stick blender a few times. I tapped it on the counter top to shake down any remaining coarse bits and gave it about 30 seconds. Scrape out and repeat for the other orange half. You can then put the juice and finely chopped peels in the recipe as normal.”
Sicilian Whole Orange Cake
adapted by Lidia Conte from Pan d’Arancio from Allaciate il Grembuile
I highly recommend using a scale for this recipe and if you are deciding cups or weight, ALWAYS weigh!
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Make the whole orange cake
Prepare an 8″ springform pan by spraying with oil (or butter) and lining in parchment paper (sides optional, if you want really clean sides), then spray the paper, too.
Place the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and beat with a mixer until light and creamy.
Sift the flour with the baking powder or Paneangeli, then add to the mixture in the bowl a little at a time along with the softened butter. Continue to mix until completely blended, then stir in the yogurt.
In a food processor, or blender, process the whole orange until it is almost pureed. It should look like this~
Add the processed whole orange to the cake mixture (along with the vanilla if you used baking powder) and stir until evenly combined Put the batter into the prepared tin.
Bake the cake
Bake for 50-60 minutes (depending on your oven), but test with a cake tester or skewer to make sure the orange cake is done before removing from the oven. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes, then run a thin knife around the perimeter and remove the side of the springform pan.
Make the orange glaze
Prepare the glaze by melting the sugar in the orange juice and allow to simmer for a few minutes, just until the liquid has a syrupy consistency. Spoon and brush the hot glaze over the top of the warm cake and allow to cool completely before cutting. Yes, it’s hard to wait, but the moist orange cake will cut more easily if it’s cool first.
Eat the Sicilian whole orange cake!
Love citrus? Try making this lemon posset, but using oranges (or an orange/lemon combo) instead! It’s honestly one of my favorite desserts! It’s similar to orange boodle, but even easier, which is saying a lot. Oh, and I just keep making this recipe using all sorts of fruits. So far I’ve made apple cake, pear cake, peach cake, kumquat cupcakes, and tried lime, but the rind is too bitter. I will post here when I tweak the recipe to make it work.
Sicilian Whole Orange Cake
The most luscious, moist and delicious orange cake you'll ever try!
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/8 c (250g) sugar
- 1 3/4 c (275g) all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder (or 1 packet Italian Pane Degli Angeli vanilla baking powder)
- 1/3 c (100g) butter, softened
- 1/3 c (100g) plain Greek yogurt (yes, sour cream works, too)
- 1 large organic orange, about (300g), washed and cut into pieces (with the rind, but remove the seeds)
- (if using plain baking powder add 1 tsp vanilla extract)
Glaze
- juice of one organic orange
- 1/3 c (100g) sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Make the whole orange cake
- Prepare an 8" springform pan by spraying with oil (or butter) and lining in parchment paper (sides optional, if you want really clean sides), then spray the paper, too.
- Place the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and beat with a mixer until light and fluffy.
- Sift the flour with the baking powder or Paneangeli then add to the mixture in the bowl a little at a time along with the softened butter. Continue to mix until completely blended, then stir in the yogurt.
- In a food processor, process the whole orange until it is almost pureed.
- Add this orange to the cake mixture (along with the vanilla if you used plain baking powder) and stir until evenly combined, then put the batter into the prepared tin.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes (depending on your oven), but test with a cake tester or skewer to make sure the orange cake is done before removing from the oven. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes, then remove the side of the springform pan.
- Prepare the glaze by melting the sugar in the orange juice and allow to simmer for a few minutes, just until the liquid has a syrupy consistency.
- Spoon and brush over the top of the cake and allow to cool completely before cutting.
Make the orange glaze
Notes
I've made this orange cake recipe in a loaf tin, and it's perfect.
I've also made it in a bundt tin and the amount of batter for one recipe makes a short bundt cake. If you're going to use a bundt tin make 1.5x the recipe.
Yes, it's hard to wait, but the moist orange cake will cut more easily if it's cool first.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 233Total Fat: 6.4gSaturated Fat: 3.6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 69mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 22.5gProtein: 8g
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Hi Christina
On a sunny winter’s afternoon in NZ my husband and I have just sampled twice as much orange cake as we should have! Your idea for this fabulous version is to blame of course. Just as well I decided to take a long walk first. Next on the must try list is the Limoncello cheese cake, we have a few bottles on hand to put to good use. I’ve been baking since I was 8 years old, 6 decades ago…..this is the best orange affair to date. Go Sicily.
Goodness! This cake is really making its way around the world! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, Jeanette! It really is a compliment coming from such a seasoned baker! So happy you and your husband liked it (and truly, it’s not the worst type of dessert you could have eaten)! Thanks again and let me know how you like the cheesecake! CC x
Hi Christina,
This is my first time ever leaving a comnent and I just had to because this recipe is just perfect. I had a bag of oranges and mind you some were still greenish on the outside and I was a bit skeptical but now I am truly a believer! I even doubled the recipe and it worked out a treat. This is definitely a keeper. Thank you for this wonderful post and I will definitely be checking out your entire blog for more goodies!
Well Sharee, you did your good deed for the day because you TOTALLY made my day with this comment! Thank you SO much, you don’t know how much it means to me! Happy to hear that the recipe works when doubled, too! Know that every recipe I share is either one I’ve made many, many times, or have at minimum tested it in my kitchen to make sure it’s a good one. Hope you find more you enjoy!
Thanks again and happy baking! Christina :)
Hi Christina! Thank you for sharing this recipe! In search for the perfect orange cake, I made nigella’s clementine cake yesterday. However, my 8 year old daughter did not like it (too tangy). Today I tried your recipe and the whole family loves it!! And it’s so easy to make! A big thank you from the Netherlands
Oooh, maybe I should add, “Better than Nigella’s” to the title! Ha ha! Thank you so much for letting me know, Leonoor! Love to hear reviews like yours. Makes what I do so much better! Enjoy!
Could this be frozen ahead of time? I would love to make it ahead of time, because
it will be too hot on the day I want to bake it .
Yes, Gina! I’ve put some in the freezer in the past. It freezes really well. Enjoy!
Hi Christina,
I was just browsing the internet for orange cake recipes and I found yours.
I baked it right away with sweet navel oranges and I’m still eating it as I’m typing this. I didn’t want to cut another orange for the glazing, so I juiced three small mandarins.
The cake is just awesome!!!
Thank you so much.
I’m sure I’d make this over and over again.
Please do you u have orange oatmeal cake recipe? I’m hoping there is something like that.
Thanks again.
Haha! I love that! Thank you for posting your comment while still eating the cake, Bridget! I love your enthusiasm!
I do not have an orange oatmeal cake recipe. Is it something you had before? I assume you googled a recipe (although that might lead to a non-tested recipe) :(
I tried making this cake and turned out to be delicious. Afraid it was going to be bitter, I only used the orange skin and discard the white parts. The cake turned out smells very good and the sweetness just right. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
That’s great, Maria! If you can get really good, organic oranges you can use the pith, too. It doesn’t make it bitter at all. Glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU!
I just discovered this recipe online. What a wonderful way to use a whole orange! It was very fragrant and not too sweet. I followed your recipe except I added some vanilla since I only had baking powder and I had to substitute the Greek yogurt with sour cream. It still turned out delicious. This is definitely a keeper especially when large oranges are in season.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Di C, I’m so sorry I haven’t yet responded to your comment! That happens when I’m traveling; my apologies! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe and it turned out with the changes (they were perfectly good choices)! I hope you find some more recipes you’ll enjoy on my site! Thanks again! CC
I just made this as a birthday cake for my Sicilian partner who isn’t a fan of chocolate cakes and the like! It’s incredibly moist and smells divine.
Thank you for sharing your mother’s recipe, it has now been added to my Italian party cooking repitoire!
Wonderful! That makes me happy, Kelly! Thanks for letting me know. :)