Zesty Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake Recipe: Sweet Sunshine Squares

Sunshine bursts through every slice of this delectable orange drizzle traybake cake that promises pure citrusy delight.

Bright, zesty flavors dance across your palate with each tender crumb.

The cake’s soft texture melts effortlessly, releasing vibrant orange notes that spark joy.

Bakers cherish this simple yet elegant dessert for its straightforward preparation and stunning results.

Sweet and tangy elements blend harmoniously, creating a treat perfect for afternoon tea or casual gatherings.

Rich, moist layers infused with fresh orange essence guarantee a crowd-pleasing experience.

Prepare to savor every decadent bite of this irresistible cake that turns ordinary moments into delicious memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 13

Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake Ingredient Essentials

• Self-Rising Flour: Provides essential structure and softness to the cake, choose fresh flour for best texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise evenly and creates light, airy crumb.

• Butter, Sugar: Creates creamy, tender base with delightful caramelized notes, use room temperature butter for smooth mixing.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness, ensure eggs are fresh and at room temperature.
• Orange Zest: Delivers vibrant citrus essence and aromatic depth, use fresh, organic oranges for maximum flavor.
• Orange Juice: Infuses bright, tangy citrus profile and adds natural moisture.
• Milk: Softens batter and enhances cake's tender consistency, whole milk recommended for richer result.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds subtle warmth, choose pure vanilla for best taste.

Tools For Baking Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake

• 9×13-inch baking tray: Essential for creating a large, even sheet cake.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cake removal a breeze.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for creaming butter and sugar, and beating eggs.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Ensures flour is lump-free and well-distributed.
• Zester or grater: Needed to extract fresh orange zest.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps maintain accurate ingredient proportions.
• Toothpick or cake tester: Checks cake doneness by testing center for moist crumbs.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape bowl sides.

How To Bake Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake With Flavor

• Prepare Baking Station

Grab your 9×13-inch baking tray and line it with smooth parchment paper, ensuring every corner is covered for easy cake removal.

• Whip Creamy Base

Blend butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale landscape of sweetness.

• Build Cake Foundation

Crack eggs into the creamy mixture one by one, stirring thoroughly after each addition to create a silky, smooth texture.

• Create Cake Batter

Gently sift flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients, folding carefully to maintain the delicate air bubbles that will make your cake light and tender.

• Infuse Citrus Magic

Stir in zesty orange zest, fresh orange juice, smooth milk, and aromatic vanilla extract, mixing until the batter looks glossy and well-combined.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the golden batter into your prepared tray, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Slide the tray into a preheated 350F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean and the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Tips For Bright Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake batter up to a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to intensify and saving precious morning prep time.
• Zest Boost: Use unwaxed organic oranges for maximum flavor and avoid bitter undertones when grating zest directly into the mixture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap self-rising flour with gluten-free flour blend and add an extra teaspoon of baking powder to maintain perfect cake texture.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk for a lighter, lactose-free version that doesn't compromise on moisture or taste.
• Decoration Delight: Sprinkle toasted almond flakes or candied orange peel on top after drizzling for added crunch and visual appeal that elevates the entire dessert.

Serve Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake With A Citrus Twist

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Serve slices alongside fresh coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat that brightens up breakfast.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Pair with clotted cream or whipped mascarpone to elevate this cake into a sophisticated dessert perfect for afternoon gatherings.
• Dessert Garnish Delight: Top each slice with candied orange peel, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or fresh orange segments to add extra citrusy flair and visual appeal.
• Picnic Perfect Slice: Pack individual portions wrapped in parchment paper for a portable, sunshine-inspired dessert that travels well and brings joy to outdoor meals.

Store Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake Right

• Cooling Technique: Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack for optimal texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Airtight Container Strategy: Store slices in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain softness.
• Refrigeration Method: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing flavor loss.
• Freezing Approach: Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months for convenient future enjoyment. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.

Moist Orange Drizzle Traybake Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Moist orange drizzle traybake cake spotlights citrus sunshine from Mediterranean groves. Zesty glaze and tender crumb create a perfect dessert companion for afternoon tea or weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) self-rising flour
• 1 cup (226 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for drizzle)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk (whole or semi-skimmed)
• 2–3 tbsps (30–45 ml) fresh orange juice (for glaze)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh orange juice
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring full coverage with overhanging edges for easy extraction.
2. Creaming: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter and sugar into a fluffy, pale mixture, creating a light and airy base for the cake.
3. Egg Integration: Methodically add eggs one by one, blending thoroughly to achieve a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Delicately sift flour and baking powder over the wet mixture, folding gently to maintain the cake’s delicate texture while preventing overmixing.
5. Flavor Infusion: Introduce orange zest, fresh orange juice, milk, and vanilla extract, stirring until ingredients are harmoniously melded without excessive agitation.
6. Baking Process: Carefully transfer batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly with a spatula, then place in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
7. Doneness Verification: Monitor the cake’s progress, looking for a golden-brown top and confirming readiness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge completely clean. Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool completely within the pan before gently lifting out using the parchment paper edges.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold flour to maintain the cake’s light, tender texture, avoiding tough and dense results.
• Zest Maximization: Use fresh orange zest for intense citrus flavor, carefully scraping only the bright orange part without the bitter white pith.
• Moisture Control: Check cake doneness precisely with the toothpick test, ensuring no raw batter remains to prevent dryness or undercooking.
• Temperature Precision: Allow cake to cool completely in the pan for clean, neat slicing and optimal drizzle absorption without structural breakdown.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg