Introduction

This Homemade Orange Chiffon Cake is a light and airy dessert infused with bright citrus flavors. Perfect for any occasion, it pairs a fluffy texture with a delicate orange glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Homemade Orange Chiffon Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

7 large eggs (separated & at room temperature)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 teaspoons orange extract (or vanilla extract)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325º Fahrenheit. Have an ungreased tube pan with a removable bottom ready for baking.
Step 2: Separate the eggs, placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, water, vegetable oil, grated orange peel, and orange extract. Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
Step 5: Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites. Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a rubber spatula, being careful to reach the sides and bottom for an even mix. The batter will be light and fluffy.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the ungreased tube pan and bake on the lowest oven rack for about 50 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert the pan and let it rest upside down on three glasses.
Step 7: Once completely cooled, run a knife around the edges and center tube of the pan to loosen the cake. Carefully remove it onto a serving plate.
Step 8: For the orange glaze, whisk powdered sugar, orange zest, and fresh orange juice together. If the glaze seems too thick, add ½ to 1 tablespoon of heavy cream until it reaches a drizzle-able consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cake before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh oranges for zest and juice to get the best citrus flavor. Avoid using oil-based extracts alone as they can taste artificial.
For a different twist, substitute half of the orange juice in the glaze with lemon juice for a tangier finish.
Make sure the egg whites are at room temperature before whipping for better volume.
If you don’t have a tube pan, a bundt pan can be used but greasing it lightly is recommended.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. The glaze may soften the cake slightly after refrigeration, but the flavor remains delightful.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use only egg yolks or egg whites?

This chiffon cake requires both separated egg yolks and whipped egg whites to create the light and airy texture that defines chiffon cakes. Using only one part won’t give the same rise or fluffiness.

Why is the pan ungreased?

Chiffon cakes rely on clinging to the sides of an ungreased pan to rise properly and develop structure. Greasing the pan can cause the cake to collapse or not rise evenly.

Homemade Orange Chiffon Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 134 reviews

This Homemade Orange Chiffon Cake is a light, fluffy, and fragrant dessert that combines the delicate texture of a chiffon cake with a bright orange flavor. Featuring grated orange peel and orange extract mixed into the batter, this cake is baked in a tube pan to perfection and finished with a sweet and citrusy orange glaze for an irresistible treat.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake Batter

7 large eggs (separated & at room temperature)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 teaspoons orange extract (or vanilla extract)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

For the Orange Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325º Fahrenheit. Prepare an ungreased tube pan with a removable bottom and set it aside for baking.
Separate Eggs: Carefully separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, placing them into two separate bowls. Keep all eggs at room temperature to ensure proper mixing and volume.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and smooth texture.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, water, vegetable oil, grated orange peel, and orange extract until well combined. Then, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix just until incorporated.
Beat Egg Whites: Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites. Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form—this typically takes about 4 minutes. The stiff peaks are crucial for the light, airy texture of the cake.
Fold Egg Whites into Batter: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a rubber spatula. Carefully fold from the bottom and sides to maintain the airiness, blending until the mixture is uniform and fluffy.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the ungreased tube pan. Place the pan on the lowest rack of the oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
Invert and Cool: Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven, invert the pan and rest it upside down on three glasses to cool completely. This prevents the cake from collapsing and helps maintain its height.
Unmold the Cake: Once cooled, run a knife around the sides and center tube of the pan to loosen the cake. Carefully remove the cake and place it on a serving plate.
Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange zest, and fresh orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add ½ to 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to reach desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake and serve.

Notes

Ensure eggs are at room temperature; this helps create a stable meringue when beating egg whites.
Do not grease the tube pan; the batter needs to cling to the sides to rise properly.
Be gentle when folding the egg whites to maintain the cake’s light texture.
The cake must cool upside down to prevent it from shrinking or collapsing.
You can substitute vanilla extract if orange extract is unavailable, but this will alter the flavor profile slightly.

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