3-Ingredient Orange Cake
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This three-ingredient orange cake recipe is a delightful treat with minimal fuss! Bursting with citrusy goodness and boasting a simplicity that’s hard to beat, this cake is perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros alike. With just a handful of basic ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can create a mouthwatering dessert that’s sure to impress.
Looking for more easy desserts? Add our 3-Ingredient Oreo Cake and 2-Ingredient Mug Brownie! Fan favorites and easy ways to get a single serving treat.
Why You’ll Love This Three Ingredient Cake
- Super Easy, Peasy: Using a cake mix as a base? That’s like a shortcut to deliciousness. It means less measuring, less mess, and more time to chill.
- Moist & Tangy Twist: Yogurt isn’t just for breakfast bowls! In this cake, it’s the secret ingredient for moisture and a subtle tang, giving your cake a gourmet feel without the fancy footwork.
- Orange You Glad: Orange juice in the mix? Hello, zesty flavor! It’s like a burst of sunshine in every bite, perfect for brightening up your taste buds and your day.
I consider this recipe the ultimate cake mix hack. I actually stumbled on this by accident and boy, oh boy, am I in love. With just THREE ingredients you get an orange cake that is light, moist, and has a light flavor of orange. It is so refreshing and perfect as a quick last minute dessert recipe.
It is also a great starter recipe for anyone with kids. Measuring the yogurt and orange juice is a super simple process and ideal for tiny hands! Put this orange cake made with a cake mix at the top of your list!
Orange Cake Mix Hack
“I put a little orange extract in and it was amazing” – Geistmadl
This is a cake mix hack recipe, so of course you will need cake mix! But there are two other ingredients that make this so moist and fluffy!
- White cake mix: I always use a Duncan Hines 15.5oz cake mix, but you can pick whatever brand you know and love.
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt is always in my refrigerator, so it is what I use. However, you could use regular yogurt with just as great results. Plain, vanilla, or orange flavored.
- Orange juice: The big question, high pulp or no pulp? What’s the best to use in a baked recipe? We use a medium pulp as a personal preference. Where most of the flavor is going to come from the orange juice, I do recommend using a high quality.
No yogurt? No problem. You can substitute plain yogurt with sour cream. You get the same results with a slightly altered flavor.
Easy Orange Cake Recipe
- Preheat the Oven: Get things heated up by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease the Pan: Grab an 8-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick spray or a light rub with some oil to keep your cake from sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, dump in the cake mix, orange yogurt, and orange juice. Mix these together until well combined. You’re aiming for a smooth batter, but don’t overmix.
- Pour and Smooth: Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top with a spatula for an even bake.
- Bake It Up: Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. The top should be golden, and a toothpick or fork inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.
- Cool Down: Let the cake cool in the dish for a bit, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for the perfect texture.
- Ready, Set, Serve: Once cool, slice up your orange cake and serve. It’s delicious as is, but feel free to add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or some orange zest on top for extra flair.
Helpful Tools
- Mixing Bowls (affiliate): You’ll need at least one large bowl for mixing the batter.
- Electric Mixer or Whisk: An electric mixer is ideal for getting a smooth batter, but a good old whisk and some elbow grease work too.
- 8-inch Baking Dish: The star of the show where your cake will take shape.
Recipe Notes:
Sure! While white or yellow cake mix works best for that classic orange flavor, feel free to experiment with other flavors like lemon or vanilla for a twist.
Orange yogurt adds a nice tang and moisture, but you can substitute with plain or vanilla yogurt and maybe add a teaspoon of orange zest for the citrus kick.
Wrap it up tight or keep it in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for a couple of days, or you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
Yes, it freezes well! Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in cling film and then foil. It’ll be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yep! Cake falling flat? Increase the yogurt to one cup, stir in 3 eggs and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. Bake as directed.
MUST-TRY ORANGE RECIPES
POPULAR CAKE RECIPES
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3 Ingredient Orange Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box of white cake mix 15.5 oz
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup of orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly mist an 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Mix together the cake mix, yogurt, and juice until there are no large yogurt lumps.
- Pour into your prepared dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Whisk or shift the cake mix before starting. This will help remove or break down any lumps giving you a smooth batter.
- Hand mixing is best for this cake. Avoid using an electric mixer and over stirring the batter.
- Substitute sour cream for the yogurt as needed.
Equipment
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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I put a little orange extract in and it was amazing
I am eager to try this. I have one question. Cake mixes usually result in two 8″ layers, but you said to prepare one pan.
Hello, Cynthia! Because this cake does not call for traditional ingredients it does make a slightly smaller finished cake.
Washington Raspberry sounds great to me.
Can’t decide between Honey Peach and the raspberry one! Yum!!
I’m sure they’re all delicious, but cinnamon hazelnut sounds very yummy!
We love Tillamook. It would be so fun to try all the new flavors! Peach is at the top of my list.
the honey peach yogurt sounds amazing
Oregon blueberry
Honey Peach, I’ve never had that one!
I really want to try the Honey Peach! I love peach yogurt and Tillamook, so I am sure that it has to be tasty! Thanks for the giveaway!
Greek with honey!
Seriously?! 3 Ingredients?! This looks incredible!
Love everything citrus and Greek yogurt!
The honey peach flavor sounds insanely delicious!
Oh this cake looks divine and so easy! I really want to try the cinnamon hazelnut. Yum!
I would love to try any of their flavors but probably the Original Plain Janes would be my favorite.
I really want to try the CoffeeHouse Blend.
I love Greek yogurt and the Honey Peach sounds delightful!
Oh my goodness-all the flavors sound good. I think I’d be trying the Honey Peach or Coffeehouse flavors first.
Your cake looks amazing-I can’t wait to try it.
I love yogurt! I think I would like to try the Honey Peach first!
ALL! But especially Honey Peach. Just hearing that makes my mouth water!
This cake looks tasty. =0)
I love the Tillamook brand. Such great tasting cheese AND yogurts.
I guess I’ll enter the giveaway too. I like plain yogurt with a little honey and granola. But I love trying flavors too.
I love Greek yogurt and didn’t even realize Tillamook made one. That’s what I will be trying.
I meant to say the plain Greek yogurt!
I love plain Greek yogurt mixed with honey… so plain! Thanks for the giveaway!
Either Honey Peach or the Strawberry. These all sound so delish!
Oh wow! They all look delicious but I would LOVE to try the Honey Peach!!
Cinnamon hazelnut sounds so up my alley. YUM!
Cinnamon for sure!
Can’t wait to try this cake either!
I’m looking forward to the strawberry. I really love strawberries.
I love Greek yogurt and can’t wait to try this! The cake sounds delicious!
My heart says cinnamon hazelnut, but my rear says plain and simple 0%!
Coffeehouse blend sounds really good!! But so does the peach and the blueberry. I love Greek yogurt!
Looking forward to trying blueberry.
The Tillamook Greek yogurt I’m looking forward to trying most is the Coffeehouse Blend.