If you love bold citrus flavor with a gentle warm kick, this orange ginger cake is about to become your new favorite bake. It's bright from fresh orange zest and juice, softly spiced with ginger, and incredibly moist thanks to Greek yogurt and oil instead of butter.
Yes, this is a cake without butter, and that's completely intentional.
When you search for orange cakes online, you'll find plenty of traditional butter-based versions. But in baking forums and comment sections, I often see the same frustrations: dense texture, dry crumb, or butter that didn't fully incorporate because it wasn't at the right temperature. This recipe avoids all of that. Using oil means:
- No waiting for butter to soften
- No risk of curdled batter
- A consistently tender, moist crumb
And the addition of ginger? That's where this cake truly stands out.
Why Orange + Ginger Works (and Why Most Recipes Underdo It)
Most orange cakes focus only on citrus. But orange loves warmth. A touch of ground ginger enhances the zest without overpowering it. It gives depth, especially when paired with yogurt's subtle tang.
If you've tried my polenta cake with orange and ginger, you already know how well this flavor combination works. That cake is more rustic and textured. This one is soft, sliceable, and perfect with coffee or tea.
The key is balance. Too much ginger and the cake tastes sharp. Too little and it disappears. After testing, I found that a moderate amount of ground ginger plus a hint of freshly grated ginger creates warmth without turning this into a spice cake.
The Secret to a Light, Moist Orange Ginger Cake
1. Prevent overbaking
Every oven runs differently. Start checking at 40 minutes. A skewer should come out clean, but don't wait until it's bone dry.
2. Prevent overmixing after adding flour
Once the dry ingredients go in, mix briefly. Overmixing develops gluten and creates a tough texture.
3. Keep. On. Whipping.
Whipping the eggs and sugar for a full 4-5 minutes incorporates air and dissolves sugar properly. This step alone makes a noticeable difference.
Storage & Freezing
Store the cake wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days.
You can freeze slices (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Wrap individually for easy grab-and-go portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Use 1¾ cups all-purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons baking powder.
Yes, substitute dairy-free yogurt.
Yes, finely chop and fold in for texture.
Orange Ginger Cake
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups self-rising flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
- zest of 2 oranges
- ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup neutral oil (such as sunflower oil)
- 1½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
For the glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- fresh orange juice
- Extra orange zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a bowl, beat 4 large eggs and 1 cup granulated sugar for 4-5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Mix in ½ cup neutral oil , ½ cup Greek yogurt, the zest of 2 oranges, ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 1½ teaspoon ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger.
- Sift in 1¾ cups self-rising flour and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix briefly until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, checking at 40 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean. Let cool completely before glazing.
- Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with fresh orange juice until thick but pourable. Spread over cake and sprinkle with Extra orange zest for garnish.
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