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    Home » Cakes

    Gluten Free Orange Cake

    Published: Feb 2, 2023 · Modified: Jun 3, 2025 by Tiffany · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments.

     

     

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pin for gluten free orange cake

    If you're looking for something a little different for dessert, may I suggest this gluten free orange cake? It's is filled with tangy orange flavor and topped off with the perfect cream cheese frosting. Make this cake during orange season for the brightest flavor!

    I've made this recipe with standard navel oranges, but something like blood oranges or cara cara oranges would also be delicious here.  This cake has a moist, tender crumb and will be the perfect dessert for your next celebration!

    A gluten free orange cake decorated with pink and orange frosting and topped with a festive cake topper.

    If you love orange flavored bakes, check out my recipe for orange cranberry muffins, blood orange pound cake or these amazing orange shortbread cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • How to Make a Gluten Free Orange Cake
    • How to Make Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Storage
    • More gluten free cakes to try:
    • Recipe

    Ingredient Notes

    This delicious orange cake recipe uses simple ingredients which can be found in any grocery store.  It is both gluten free and dairy free as written.

    Ingredients for gluten free orange cake on a white table.
    • Gluten-Free Flour Blend - I use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free flour blend for all of my cake recipes. You can use the flour blend of your choice, but ensure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder.  I have not tested this recipe with any other brands of flour, so your results may vary. 
    • Fresh Oranges - This orange cake combines both orange zest and fresh orange juice for the best sweet orange flavor.  
    • Eggs - Since this recipe calls for 4 eggs, I wouldn't attempt an egg replacement here.

    See recipe card below for full ingredient list with measurements.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Add ½ teaspoon of Almond extract to make an orange almond cake. Top with sliced almonds.
    • Make an orange poppy seed cake by adding 2 Tablespoons of poppyseed to the batter before baking.
    • Add chocolate chips or cranberries for a delicious variation on this gluten free cake.

    How to Make a Gluten Free Orange Cake

    Before mixing your batter, grease and line your cake pans to ensure a good release.

    Orange zest being rubbed into a bowl of white sugar.

    STEP 1: Use your fingers to rub the orange zest into the sugar imparted the oil which will give the cake lots of orange flavor.

    Orange sugar and oil beaten together in a large metal mixing bowl.

    STEP 2: Combine the orange sugar and vegetable oil together in a large mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes on medium speed.  It should resemble wet sand.

    Partially mixed orange cake batter.

    STEP 3: Add the vanilla extract. Then add the eggs one at a time, beating for 60 seconds between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

    STEP 4: Mix the orange juice and milk together. Turn the mixer to the lowest speed, add half of the dry ingredients followed by half of the wet ingredients. Then repeat with the remaining ingredients. Divide the cake batter evenly into your prepared cake pans and bake.

    Three cake rounds cooling on a wire rack.

    STEP 5: Once the cake layers have cooled completely, prepare the cream cheese frosting and assemble the cake.

    A graphic showing four different options for cake pan sizes.

    How to Make Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

    This cake uses an orange flavored dairy free cream cheese frosting, which is amazing. It's a little twist on traditional cream cheese frosting.

    Ingredients for orange cream cheese frosting on a white table.

    To make orange cream cheese frosting you will need: vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, orange juice, orange zest and powdered sugar.

    Butter and cream cheese beaten together in a large metal mixing bowl.

    STEP 1: Beat the cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer.

    Cream cheese frosting partially mixed together.

    STEP 2: Turn the mixer to low speed and add the orange zest and powdered sugar. Mix until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. It will be like thick paste.

    Orange cream cheese frosting in a large metal mixing bowl.

    STEP 3: Add the orange juice and continue to mix until the frosting is smooth.

    Fluffy orange cream cheese frosting in a metal mixing bowl.

    STEP 4: Turn the mixer to high speed and beat for about 5 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

    The interior of a sliced gluten free orange cake sitting on a black cake stand.

    If you like the watercolor technique on the frosting, you should check out this post on how to make a watercolor cake.

    Alternatively, you could layer this cake with whipped cream and orange slices for a simpler preparation.

    Storage

    Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the cream cheese in the frosting, this cake must be refrigerated. It will last for 3-4 days.

    You can also freeze this cake. Cut individual slices and wrap them each in plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped slices inside a freezer bag or freezer safe container.

    Bring to room temperature before serving.

    A slice of gluten free orange cake served on a small dessert plate.

    More gluten free cakes to try:

    • A loaf of lemon blueberry pound cake cut into slices and sitting on a wooden cutting board.
      Gluten Free Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
    • A slice of chocolate coconut cake served on a wooden plate.
      Chocolate Coconut Cake
    • Squares of bananas foster upside down cake sitting on a wood cutting board.
      Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake
    • Several gluten free lemon cupcakes sitting on a ceramic tray.
      Gluten Free Lemon Cupcakes

    If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.

    Recipe

    Sliced gluten free orange cake on a black cake stand.

    Gluten Free Orange Cake

    This gluten free orange cake is loaded with flavor from orange zest and juice. It's coated with a fluffy orange cream cheese frosting.
    Author: Tiffany
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 2 hours hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 574kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ Cups Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend I use Bob's Red Mill
    • 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¾ Cup Oil
    • 1 ¾ Cup Sugar
    • 5 Tablespoons Orange Zest
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 4 Eggs
    • ⅔ Cup Orange Juice
    • ¼ Cup Non Dairy Milk

    For the frosting

    • 4 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese room temperature
    • ½ Cup Vegan Butter room temperature
    • 3 ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
    • 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease your cake pans and line with parchment paper. I've made three 6-inch cake layers but this recipe will also make two 9-inch layers or 24 cupcakes.
    • In a small bowl, combine the gluten free flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
      2 ½ Cups Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, 3 teaspoons Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
    • Add the orange zest to the sugar. Rub together with your fingers to impart the orange oil to the sugar.
      5 Tablespoons Orange Zest, 1 ¾ Cup Sugar
    • Add the orange sugar and oil to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it resembles wet sand.
      ¾ Cup Oil
    • Add the vanilla. Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 60 seconds between each addition. Scrape down the bowl.
      1 teaspoon Vanilla, 4 Eggs
    • Combine the milk and orange juice together.
      ⅔ Cup Orange Juice, ¼ Cup Non Dairy Milk
    • Turn the mixer to the lowest speed. Add half of the flour mixture, followed by half of the milk/juice. Then repeat with the remaining flour and milk. Stir just until combined.
    • Divide the batter evenly into your prepared cake pans. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top springs back when gently poked. For cupcakes reduce the time to 22-25 minutes.
    • Once baked, remove the pans from the oven. Cool the cakes in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

    To make the frosting

    • Combine the vegan cream cheese and vegan butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Scrape down the bowl.
      4 ounces Vegan Cream Cheese, ½ Cup Vegan Butter
    • Add the powdered sugar and orange zest. Mix on low speed until just combined. It will resemble a thick paste.
      3 ½ Cup Powdered Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest
    • Add the orange juice and mix until the texture is smooth. Then turn the mixer to high speed and beat for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
      3 Tablespoons Orange Juice
    • Assemble and decorate the cake.

    Notes

    STORAGE: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the cream cheese in the frosting, this cake must be refrigerated. It will last for 3-4 days. 
    Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @wellfedbaker or tag #wellfedbaker!
    Tiffany

    Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim Vanderhyden says

      January 03, 2025 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      This cake is unbelievably delicious. I made it for New Year’s Eve and every plate was licked clean with moans and groans of delight. The only problem is on Jan 2nd I was receiving messages for more…….so I shared the recipe. One thing I changed was the frosting. I happened across a coconut (oil) cream recipe which turned out very similar to the beloved buttercream frosting. The combo knocked some socks off.
      ANOTHER WONDERFUL THING……AND ONE OF THE MOST……is the way the recipes are designed with your measurements within the cooking/baking instructions. No scrolling on the laptop with sticky lickable fingers.

      Reply
      • Tiffany says

        January 03, 2025 at 10:08 am

        I could not love this more! ❤️

        Reply
    2. Jane McKay says

      February 14, 2023 at 5:18 pm

      Can't wait to get over this infection so I can make this recipe. Looks easy enough for an experienced baker.

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Pin for gluten free orange cake
    A photo of Tiffany Welsh.

    Hey, I'm Tiffany!

    I love sharing gluten-free comfort food and homestyle baking, featuring Dutch oven meals, nostalgic dinners, classic baked goods, with dairy-free or allergen-friendly options. My recipes lean Southern, seasonal, and practical.

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