Name: Whole Orange Butter Cake – Sweet Easy Recipes for Citrus Lovers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 medium orange, seedless and washed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup milk (any kind)

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Let’s talk about citrus. Not the artificial kind that comes in a green bottle shaped like a lemon, but the real-deal, peel-and-all kind of orange flavor that bursts through a buttery, moist slice of cake. I’ve always been a fan of desserts that surprise you, and this Whole Orange Butter Cake? Oh, it gets people talking. It’s rich, sunny, and just the right balance of sweet and tangy. We’re not tossing the peel—we’re blending the entire orange into the batter. It’s bold, yes, but trust me, you’ll never look at oranges the same way again. If you’ve ever stared at a fruit bowl wondering what to bake, this is your nudge to grab that orange. I baked it once on a slow Sunday, and by Tuesday, the crumbs were a fond memory. And here’s the kicker—it feels like something straight out of a fancy bakery, but it’s secretly filed under ‘sweet easy recipes.’ If you’re into air fryer desserts easy recipes or even butter swim biscuits easy recipes, this one fits right in your collection. It’s quick, joyful, and dangerously snackable. Yes, I’m still thinking about it. Maybe it’s time to bake another.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Whole Orange Butter Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Whole Orange Butter Cake
4) How to Make Whole Orange Butter Cake
5) Tips for Making Whole Orange Butter Cake
6) Making Whole Orange Butter Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Whole Orange Butter Cake
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) Whole Orange Butter Cake Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This cake uses the entire orange—including the peel—for deep citrus flavor.
Prep is fast and the batter comes together in one bowl with a blender.
The result is a rich, buttery crumb that stays soft for days.
It’s a great fit for anyone searching for sweet easy recipes or quick snacks.

2) Easy Whole Orange Butter Cake Recipe

You ever stare at an orange and think, “What else can I do with this besides juice it?” I did that once and ended up with this cake. We’re talking about a soft, buttery loaf bursting with real orange flavor. Not just the juice—the whole fruit. Peel, pulp, and all.

This is one of those sweet easy recipes you’ll come back to. It doesn’t need frosting or glaze. It’s not trying to impress, but people go back for seconds. The cake kind of just speaks for itself. It’s a natural fit for fans of quick and easy recipes or those who love butter-rich bakes like butter swim biscuits easy recipes.

And don’t let the idea of using a whole orange freak you out. The blender does all the heavy lifting. That peel brings the zing, the butter smooths it out, and together they make magic. It’s like a bakery secret… only you didn’t pay $5 for one slice.

3) Ingredients for Whole Orange Butter Cake

1 medium seedless orange: Washed, chopped, and thrown into the blender—yes, peel included. That’s where the magic lives.

1/2 cup unsalted butter: Let it sit out and soften. This brings richness and that comforting melt-in-your-mouth texture.

2/3 cup granulated sugar: Just enough to sweeten things up without going overboard. This cake is about balance.

2 large eggs: They hold the structure and give the crumb a tender lift.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that warm bakery smell. It’s subtle, but it matters.

1 cup all-purpose flour: Keeps the structure sturdy, but still soft. No need to get fancy here.

1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives the cake a nice rise—no flat-top business here.

1/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps balance the acidity of the orange. Science working behind the scenes.

1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.

1/4 cup milk: Helps the batter stay loose and pourable without thinning it too much. Any kind works.

4) How to Make Whole Orange Butter Cake

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a standard loaf pan. Line it with parchment if you like easy cleanup.

Step 2: Chop the orange (no need to peel it), take out any seeds, and blend it into a thick puree. It should look like an orange smoothie. Smell it. It’s intense.

Step 3: In a bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. This part’s a mini workout but worth it for the texture.

Step 4: Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix well after each. Stir in the vanilla and the orange puree.

Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 6: Add the dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with the milk. Go easy. Don’t overmix. You want it just combined.

Step 7: Pour the batter into the pan, smooth the top, and bake for 40–45 minutes. Toothpick test should come out clean.

Step 8: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then move it to a rack. Be patient here—it smells amazing, but give it time.

5) Tips for Making Whole Orange Butter Cake

Use a thin-skinned orange if you can. Thick peel can make the cake slightly bitter. If you’ve got a chunky one, trim some of the outer skin.

Let your butter come to room temperature. Cold butter won’t cream properly and your texture will suffer. If it’s soft enough to leave a fingerprint, you’re good.

If you like stronger orange flavor, you can even toss in a little orange zest with the puree. Just a pinch gives it that next-level brightness that dessert fans love in sweet easy recipes.

6) Making Whole Orange Butter Cake Ahead of Time

I’ve baked this cake a day early and it was even better the next day. The citrus gets cozy with the butter and the crumb softens up just right.

Wrap it in parchment and foil once cooled. Let it sit on the counter overnight. The flavor settles in and the top gets that perfect bakery-style crust.

If you’re prepping for guests, slice it just before serving. A warm knife works great if you want neat cuts, especially for those who love quick evening snacks easy recipes at brunch or tea.

7) Storing Leftover Whole Orange Butter Cake

Leftovers? I mean, you might not have any. But just in case—wrap slices in foil or keep the loaf whole and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

This cake holds up well for two to three days. If your kitchen runs hot, pop it in the fridge. Let it come back to room temp before eating.

You can even freeze slices. Wrap tightly, freeze, and microwave for 15 seconds when you need a fix. It’s great as a quick snack with coffee or one of those bread easy recipes you forget you baked.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) Whole Orange Butter Cake Recipe