Brown Sugar & Oat Orange Cake: A Deliciously Rustic Delight

This Brown Sugar & Oat Orange Cake is a delightful twist on the classic citrus treat. The combination of brown sugar, oats, and fresh orange creates a moist, flavorful cake with a slightly rustic texture. It’s perfect for a cozy afternoon tea, a celebratory brunch, or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a cake that is both delicious and visually appealing.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Brown Sugar:** The brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like flavor that complements the bright citrus notes of the orange. It also contributes to the cake’s moistness and gives it a slightly chewy texture.
* **Oats:** The oats provide a subtle nutty flavor and a pleasant, slightly chewy texture. They also add fiber, making this cake a bit more wholesome than your average dessert.
* **Orange:** Fresh orange juice and zest infuse the cake with a vibrant citrus flavor and aroma. The orange juice keeps the cake moist, while the zest adds a concentrated burst of flavor.
* **Simple Ingredients:** This recipe uses common pantry staples, making it easy to whip up whenever the craving strikes.
* **Easy to Make:** The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment. You can easily make it in a single bowl, minimizing cleanup.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 2 cups (250g)
* **Rolled Oats:** 1 cup (80g), old-fashioned or quick oats
* **Brown Sugar:** 1 cup (200g), packed
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1/2 cup (100g)
* **Baking Powder:** 2 teaspoons
* **Baking Soda:** 1 teaspoon
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Eggs:** 2 large
* **Vegetable Oil:** 1/2 cup (120ml), or any neutral oil like canola or sunflower oil
* **Orange Juice:** 1/2 cup (120ml), freshly squeezed
* **Orange Zest:** 2 tablespoons, from about 2 large oranges
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon

**Optional Glaze:**

* **Powdered Sugar:** 1 cup (120g)
* **Orange Juice:** 2-3 tablespoons, or enough to reach desired consistency

## Equipment

* **9-inch Round Cake Pan:** Or a similar size baking pan.
* **Mixing Bowls:** One large and one medium.
* **Whisk:** For dry ingredients.
* **Spatula:** For folding and scraping.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons**
* **Zester:** For the orange zest.
* **Juicer:** Optional, but helpful for squeezing orange juice.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Oven and Pan

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal. This prevents the cake from sticking to the pan.

### 2. Combine Dry Ingredients

* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps of brown sugar. Whisking ensures the baking powder and soda are evenly distributed, leading to a consistent rise.

### 3. Combine Wet Ingredients

* In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. This emulsion of wet ingredients is crucial for a moist cake.

### 4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough cake. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage.

### 5. Bake the Cake

* Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
* Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 30 minutes.

### 6. Cool the Cake

* Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling in the pan prevents the cake from breaking apart.

### 7. Prepare the Optional Glaze (While the Cake Cools)

* In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth and glossy. Add more orange juice, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the cake but thin enough to drizzle easily.

### 8. Glaze the Cake

* Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. The glaze not only adds sweetness but also enhances the orange flavor and visual appeal of the cake.

## Tips for Success

* **Use Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice:** Freshly squeezed orange juice will give you the best flavor. Bottled juice can sometimes have a slightly artificial taste.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined.
* **Measure Ingredients Accurately:** Accurate measurements are crucial for baking success. Use measuring cups and spoons to ensure precise measurements.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. If the skewer comes out clean, the cake is done. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes.
* **Cool the Cake Completely Before Glazing:** Glazing a warm cake can cause the glaze to melt and run off.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra flavor and texture, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this cake gluten-free.
* **Store Properly:** Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

## Variations

* **Lemon Cake:** Substitute lemon juice and zest for the orange juice and zest.
* **Spice Cake:** Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of cloves to the dry ingredients.
* **Chocolate Chip Cake:** Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
* **Cranberry Orange Cake:** Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries to the batter.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
* Pair with a cup of tea or coffee.
* Serve as a dessert after a light meal.
* Bring to a potluck or brunch.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice, without glaze)

* Calories: 300-350
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 3-5g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 200-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-45g
* Fiber: 2-3g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 4-5g

## Brown Sugar & Oat Orange Cake Recipe

This section provides a clear, concise recap of the recipe with all the details in one place.

**Yields:** 10-12 servings
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-35 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (80g) rolled oats
* 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup (120ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
* 2 tablespoons orange zest
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Optional Glaze:**

* 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons orange juice

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, orange juice, zest, and vanilla.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. **Bake:** Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. **Cool:** Let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. **Prepare Glaze (Optional):** Whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Add more juice as needed to reach desired consistency.
8. **Glaze Cake:** Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle glaze over the top. Let set before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Brown Sugar & Oat Orange Cake!

## More Delicious Baking Recipes

If you enjoyed this orange cake recipe, you might also like these other baking ideas:

* [Link to another cake recipe on your blog] * [Link to another cookie recipe on your blog] * [Link to a bread recipe on your blog]

## Conclusion

This Brown Sugar & Oat Orange Cake is a delightful and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to please everyone. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!