Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Stir flour, baking powder, nuts, and salt together in a bowl.
Beat 1 cup sugar and butter together in a separate large bowl until fluffy; beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in 1/2 cup orange juice and orange zest. Pour in flour mixture, and stir until moistened; transfer into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove loaf from oven, but not from pan.
Combine 1/2 cup orange juice with 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve sugar. Spoon glaze over hot loaf. Let stand in pan for 10 minutes before removing loaf to a rack to cool.
2025/12/28 Edited to
... Read moreI have tried baking this orange cake loaf several times, and I find that using fresh orange juice and zest really enhances the citrus flavor beautifully. One tip I discovered is to ensure the butter is softened properly before creaming it with the sugar; this helps achieve a light and fluffy texture in the batter. When folding in the flour mixture, be gentle to keep the batter airy.
Adding walnuts is optional but highly recommended if you enjoy a nutty crunch. Toasting the walnuts lightly before mixing them into the flour adds depth to their flavor. For the glaze, heating the orange juice with sugar until the sugar fully dissolves creates a shiny, sweet topping that seeps into the warm cake, making it extra moist.
I usually bake this loaf in a 9x5-inch pan as per the recipe, but I’ve also experimented with smaller loaf pans for individual servings. Keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary slightly. Always do the toothpick test - if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
For an added twist, try mixing in some poppy seeds or a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for extra aroma. This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or fresh fruit.
Overall, this orange cake loaf is a simple yet delightful recipe that has become a favorite in my kitchen, perfect for sharing with family or bringing to potlucks.