French Orange Cake – A Light & Elegant Citrus Delight

This French Orange Cake is everything you want in a dessert—elegant, zesty, and wonderfully moist. Inspired by classic French pâtisserie flavors but made lighter for everyday indulgence, this citrus-scented cake brings a burst of sunshine to your table. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened, it’s a perfect treat for afternoon tea, a weekend brunch, or a refined yet guilt-free dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Naturally Light – Uses yogurt and orange juice for moisture instead of heavy butter.
• Bursting with Flavor – Fresh orange zest gives this cake an unforgettable citrus aroma.
• Elegant Yet Easy – A French-inspired dessert you can whip up on a weeknight.
• Balanced Sweetness – Lightly sweet, perfect for those looking for a cleaner treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup natural unsweetened applesauce
• ⅓ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• Zest of 1 large orange
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, yogurt, honey (or syrup), orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Combine and Mix
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring just until no flour remains. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and slightly springy.

6. Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice, Approximate)

Calories: 145
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 3g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1g
(Points-conscious and naturally portioned!)

Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Juice & Zest: Bottled juice doesn’t compare—fresh oranges make all the difference.
• Add a Glaze: Mix a teaspoon of orange juice with a few tablespoons of powdered sugar for a light drizzle.
• Make It a Mini: Bake in a muffin tin for individual mini cakes—just reduce baking time to about 18–20 minutes.
• Double the Zest: For extra flavor punch, add zest from a second orange.

Why This Recipe Works

This cake proves that desserts don’t need to be heavy to be satisfying. Greek yogurt and applesauce create a soft, tender crumb without extra fat, while fresh orange adds natural sweetness and bright flavor. It’s the kind of dessert you can enjoy with coffee, after dinner, or even as a midday pick-me-up.

The French Orange Cake is a refined yet feel-good dessert that delivers flavor, elegance, and simplicity in each slice. Whether you’re sharing it with guests or savoring a piece with tea, this lightened-up classic is sure to brighten your day. Citrus lovers, this one’s for you.