Wednesday, March 27, 2024
It's Sweet to Share!

Sicilian Orange Cake: A Beautiful & Simple One Bowl Recipe {+Video}

It's Sweet to Share!

Italy is well known for their pizza and pasta, but today I’m actually sharing something else that comes from the boot shaped peninsula of Italy. A beautiful, yet simple, Sicilian Orange Cake. 

The island of Sicily is located in the Mediterranean region of Europe, an autonomous region that is loaded with Greek history. Like the Grecians, Sicilians spend long days outside enjoying the sun and nature, the companionship of friends and loved ones, and simple foods that enrich the body, mind and soul. 

Like this Sicilian Orange Cake.

This cake is incredibly tasty, but uses just a handful of ingredients and one bowl. The primary flavor comes from the addition of oranges which are a staple of the island of Sicily. 

Sicilian Orange Cake Ingredients

Oranges grow in abundance in the volcanic fertile soil of Mount Etna. There are multiple varieties of oranges grown in Sicily, each with their own character. The Tarocco orange is the sweetest orange on the island and is popular for use in sweet desserts. 

Fun fact! Italians eat more fruit than any other culture in Europe! 

In 2016, our family took an amazing cruise throughout the Mediterranean and stopped in multiple cities in Spain, France and Italy. 

The summit of Mt. Vesuvius!
The summit of Mt. Vesuvius!
  • In Livorno we climbed the tower of Pisa and walked the cobblestone ancient streets feasting on fresh made gelato
  • In Naples we climbed to the top of Mt Vesuvius and marveled at the city of Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • In Palermo, we had an entire bull fighting ring to ourselves, plus we toured a cathedral and a castle 
Plaça de toros de Palma
Plaça de toros de Palma

It may quite possibly be our favorite vacation we’ve ever taken. 

Sicilian Orange Cake 

Sicilian Orange Cake

Originally Posted 2009 | Updated 2021

An excellent light crumb cake with a simple flavor, a gorgeous texture lent from the combination yogurt and oil, and a delicious simple syrup!

How to Make This Cake

Sicilian Orange Cake

Sicilian Orange Cake

Catherine Olson
An excellent light crumb cake with a simple flavor, a gorgeous texture lent from the combination yogurt and oil, and a delicious simple syrup!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 slices

Ingredients
  

Orange Syrup

  • ¼ cup juice from whole ripe orange
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar

Orange Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup juice from whole ripe orange

Cake

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Zest from whole ripe orange
  • 5 oz plain yogurt
  • ¾ cup sunflower oil

Instructions
 

Orange Syrup

  • Whisk juice and sugar until dissolved
  • Set aside

Orange Icing

  • Whisk juice and sugar until dissolved
  • Set aside

Cake

  • Whisk together sugar and eggs together until thick and foamy
  • Set aside
  • In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt
  • Add orange zest and stir to combine
  • Stir in yogurt and oil until smooth
  • Pour into 9″ prepared cake pan coated with sugar
  • Bake at Fahrenheit 350º for 25 minutes
  • Remove from oven and let rest in pan for 5-10 minutes
  • Invert on wire rack and then immediately flip back over to return top side up
  • Spoon orange syrup over top and sides of warm cake
  • Let cool

Finalè

  • When cake has finished cooling and just prior to serving, spoon orange icing over cake
  • Serve alone, or with vanilla ice cream
Keyword Sicilian Orange Cake
Italian Yogurt Cake

Can I Substitute Another Fruit?

The Sicilian Orange Cake is typically always made with oranges, as the name indicates, but another similar popular version of this cake is an Italian Yogurt Cake and that is typically made with lemons.

Often a yogurt cake is baked with sliced apples on top!

Do I Have to Use Sunflower Oil?

Sunflower oil is my preferred oil because it is a more pure form of oil, but you can use whichever clear type oil you have on hand.

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE. TRY THESE OUT!

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12 COMMENTS

  1. OH MY GOODNESS GIRL! that is simply divine looking! i can actually taste it! mmm i LOVE oranges! mmmm that looks soo divine!
    and I LOVE your coats! love love love them! i am a coat girl too! bff that is right! 🙂

  2. Mark Twain once said: "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." Oh, how I love the summer, I am just giddy about it. Funny that you love the fall and all. This divine dessert was perfect! I loved every morsel.

  3. Kitty, I was going to comment on this a few weeks ago, and totally forgot after my 'puter froze and I had to do a reboot. First off, Fall is my favorite season too,,burning leaves, the colors, the crisp, cool nights. Secondly, the photo of you and your pup is precious and finally, that cake looks AMAZING! You always turn out such beautiful treats!

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