There’s something timeless about a good drizzle cake. This orange drizzle cake, with its zesty glaze and tender crumb, is the perfect balance of citrusy brightness and comforting sweetness. It’s a variation of the classic lemon drizzle cake, a quintessentially British teatime treat that dates back to the mid-20th century. While lemon drizzle cakes have long been a favourite in the UK, swapping lemon for orange adds a new twist to this beloved classic.

Drizzle cakes are closely related to pound cakes, which originated in Europe centuries ago. The traditional pound cake recipe, named for its simplicity, used equal parts (a pound each) of butter, sugar, flour, and eggs. This straightforward formula has since been adapted worldwide, incorporating regional ingredients and flavours, like citrus in the UK.

FAQ About Orange Drizzle Cake

1. Can I use lemon instead of orange?
This recipe works just as well with lemons (how it was originally made). Simply replace the orange zest and juice with lemon.

2. What makes the cake so moist?
The drizzle topping is key to the cake’s moistness. The orange juice soaks into the cake, ensuring every bite is packed with citrusy goodness.

3. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour but you should be able to substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free self-raising flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious.

4. Why is my drizzle cake sinking in the middle?
This usually happens if the cake batter is overmixed or if the oven temperature is too high, causing the cake to rise and collapse. Ensure your oven is properly preheated, and avoid overmixing.

Storage Instructions for Orange Drizzle Cake

At room temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
In the fridge: Keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days if your kitchen is particularly warm. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
In the freezer: Wrap the cake (whole or in slices) tightly in clingfilm and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

You might also like my passion fruit curd loaf cake

More Cake Recipes

SEE ALL CAKES

Explore a few more of my delicious cake recipes

Prep Time:10

Cook Time:2 45

Ingredients

For the cake:

225 grams butter room temperature, softened
225 grams caster sugar
225 grams self-raising flour
4 large eggs room temperature
Finely grated zest of 1 orange

For the drizzle topping:

1 orange (juiced)
85 grams caster sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line an 8x21cm loaf tin.
Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy using a stand mixer or hand beater.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Mix in the grated orange zest.
Sift the self-raising flour over the wet ingredients and gently fold it in by hand until just combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

For the drizzle topping:

Mix the orange juice and caster sugar in a small bowl, stirring just enough to combine without dissolving the sugar.
While the cake is still warm, pierce the surface all over with a skewer or knife.
Slowly pour the drizzle mixture over the cake, letting the juice soak in. The undissolved sugar will create a light, crunchy crust on top.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before removing it. Slice and serve with a cup of tea for the ultimate afternoon treat.

Notes

Storage Instructions for Orange Drizzle Cake

At room temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
In the fridge: Keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days if your kitchen is particularly warm. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
In the freezer: Wrap the cake (whole or in slices) tightly in clingfilm and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Servings: 8