There is nothing better than the smell of a fresh orange cake baking in your oven. Whether you want to make an orange birthday cake for a loved one or a simple treat for yourself, you don't need eggs to get a perfect result.
In this guide, we will show you how to make an orange cake at home without eggs. We will use simple ingredients you can find at any store to make a soft, moist, and zesty cake.
Citrus Base: Egg Substitutes
When you remove eggs, you lose a binding agent and a leavener. To keep your cake light and airy, choosing the right substitute is key:
Greek Yogurt or Curd: Provides moisture and fat, creating a dense, pound-cake-like crumb.
Vinegar and Baking Soda: The chemical reaction creates bubbles, perfect for an eggless orange chiffon cake recipe.
Silken Tofu or Paneer: Blended tofu creates a protein-rich, top-rated vegan orange cake recipe without eggs.
Fruit Puree: Applesauce or mashed bananas work well.
Store Brands: You can also use eggless orange cake recipes using plant-based egg substitutes like commercial egg replacer powders found in the baking aisle.
“Warning: This cake disappears fast! You might want to bake two—one for the family and one just for you”
1. Classic Orange Fruit Cake (Tea-Time Style)
This is a great orange fruit cake because it uses chewy fruit pieces and a sweet orange syrup.
Ingredients:
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1.5 cups All-purpose flour
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1 tsp Baking powder
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1/2 tsp Baking soda
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1 cup Sugar
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1/2 cup Vegetable oil
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1 cup Fresh orange juice
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1 tbsp Fresh orange zest (grated skin)
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1/4 cup Candied orange peel cuts
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2 tbsp Orange crush
Method:
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Prep: Heat your oven to 180°C and grease your cake tin with oil.
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Mix Dry: Sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir in the candied orange peel cuts.
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Mix Wet: In another bowl, mix sugar, oil, orange juice, and orange crush.
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Combine: Slowly pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Add the orange zest and stir gently.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 30–35 minutes.
"One bite of this cake feels like a burst of sunshine in your mouth—perfectly sweet and tangier than your average treat!"
2. Orange Almond Cake
The orange almond cake is rich, nutty, and perfect for special parties that stay moist for days.
Ingredients:
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1 cup All-purpose flour
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1/2 cup Almond meal (crushed almonds)
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3/4 cup Thick yogurt
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3/4 cup Sugar
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1/2 cup Melted butter
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1/4 cup Orange juice
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1 tbsp Orange zest
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1/2 tsp Almond extract
Method:
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Whisk: Mix the yogurt and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.
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Add Liquids: Stir in the melted butter, orange juice, and almond extract.
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Add Solids: Fold in the flour, almond meal, and orange zest. Do not over-mix.
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Bake: Pour into a tin and bake at 180°C for about 40 minutes.
"If you love a cake that melts in your mouth, the combination of nutty almond and zesty orange is a match made in heaven."
3. Easy "Box Mix" Orange Chiffon Cake
This is how to make eggless orange cake using instant cake mixes sold locally for a fast and easy way to achieve a light, airy texture.
Ingredients:
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1 box Vanilla cake mix (common grocery brands)
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1/2 cup Fresh orange juice
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1/3 cup Oil
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1/2 cup Plain sparkling water (soda water)
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2 tbsp Orange Crush
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1 tbsp Orange zest
Method:
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Blend: Put the cake mix, orange juice, and oil in a bowl and whisk.
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Flavor: Stir in the orange crush and zest.
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The Secret: Gently pour in the sparkling water. This makes it an eggless orange chiffon cake recipe.
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Bake: Follow the time on the box (usually 30 minutes) at 180°C.
“It’s so fluffy and light, your guests will never believe it started with a simple box mix from the grocery store!”
The Perfect 3-Ingredient Orange Sugar Glaze
That is a great idea! Adding a glaze makes the cake look professional and adds an extra burst of sweetness. This glaze is thin enough to soak into the top of the cake but thick enough to leave a beautiful, shiny white coating.
Here is a very simple recipe for an orange sugar glaze that works perfectly with all three cakes.
Ingredients:
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1 cup Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar): Make sure to sift it to remove lumps.
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2 tbsp Fresh Orange Juice: Use the juice from the same orange you zested for the cake.
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1 tsp Orange Zest or 1 tsp Orange Crush: This adds those beautiful orange flecks to the glaze.
Method:
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Sift the Sugar: Put your powdered sugar into a small bowl. Sifting is important so your glaze isn't bumpy.
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Add Liquid: Add the orange juice one tablespoon at a time.
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Stir: Whisk gently until the mixture is smooth. If it is too thick, add a few more drops of juice. If it is too runny, add a little more sugar.
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Flavor: Stir in the orange zest or orange crush for extra color and zing.
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Drizzle: Wait for your cake to cool down completely. Pour the glaze over the center of the cake and let it naturally drip down the sides.
3 Quick Tips for the Best Glaze
1. The "Cool" Rule: Never glaze a hot cake! If the cake is warm, the sugar will melt and disappear into the sponge instead of sitting on top.
2. For a "Soak" Version: If you want the syrup to soak in (like a poke cake), poke small holes in the warm cake with a toothpick and pour the glaze over it while it's still slightly warm.
3. Extra Shine: Add 1/2 teaspoon of melted butter to the mix to give the glaze a professional bakery shine.
Conclusion
You don't need fancy skills to learn how to bake an eggless orange cake using common grocery brands. Whether you choose a fancy orange almond cake or a quick box-mix version, the bright citrus flavor will always be a hit.
Always use a branded baking powder and flour to make sure your cake rises perfectly every time!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a microwave to bake these cakes?
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Yes! You can bake these in a convection microwave at 180°C. If using "Micro Mode," it usually takes only 5–7 minutes, but the texture will be different.
2. Why is my cake sinking in the middle?
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This often happens if the oven door is opened too early or if you used too much baking powder. Keep the door closed for at least the first 25 minutes.
3. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
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Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend from most common grocery brands instead of all-purpose flour.
4. How do I get more orange flavor?
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Using orange crush and fresh orange zest together gives the strongest flavor. The zest contains natural oils that smell amazing!
5. What is the best way to store the cake?
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Wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in a container. It stays fresh at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
6. Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
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Yes! Walnuts or dark chocolate chips taste great with orange. Toss them in a little flour before adding them to the batter so they don't sink.
7. My cake is too dry. What happened?
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You might have baked it for too long. Every oven is different, so start checking your cake with a toothpick 5 minutes before the recipe says it’s done.