Orange Cake with Nuts

Welcome to a recipe that will fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of citrus and spice! This Orange Cake with Nuts is a true delight for the senses. It combines the zesty freshness of oranges with the rich, earthy flavor of walnuts, all wrapped in a moist and tender crumb. What makes this cake truly special is its simplicity. With just a few easy steps, you can create a stunning dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery. Perfect for a cozy afternoon tea, a special celebration, or whenever you crave a comforting, homemade treat.

Cooking: 45 minutes
Quantity: 10 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 279 kcal
Proteins: 6 g
Fats: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g

Ingredients for Orange Cake with Nuts

  • 2 oranges (300 g peeled)
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 200 g all-purpose flour
  • 30 ml milk
  • 100 g walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3-4 clove buds, 1 pinch of allspice

Ingredients for the Creamy Glaze

  • 150 g 10% fat cream (often sold as single cream or half-and-half)
  • 70 g butter
  • 50 g granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons shredded coconut

How to Make Orange Cake with Nuts

Zesting fresh oranges over a bowl to prepare the batter for an orange cake.

Wash the oranges and scald them with boiling water. Zest two of the oranges.

Cracking eggs into a glass bowl containing granulated sugar.

Crack the eggs into a bowl and add 150 g of granulated sugar.

Whisking eggs, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Beat the eggs with the sugar and orange zest for several minutes until the sugar granules are completely dissolved.


Wash the oranges and scald them with boiling water. Zest two of the oranges.

Crack the eggs into a bowl and add 150 g of granulated sugar. You can mix the cake batter by hand or use a mixer/blender—whichever you prefer and are used to.

Beat the eggs with the sugar and orange zest for several minutes until the sugar granules are completely dissolved. The mixture should become light and fluffy. Combine the all-purpose flour with the baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the egg and sugar mixture.

Adding milk to the cake batter in a bowl and whisking until smooth.

Add 2 tablespoons of milk and whisk the batter until it is smooth and free of lumps.

Add 2 tablespoons of milk and whisk the batter until it is smooth and free of lumps.

Folding chopped orange pieces into the prepared cake batter in a bowl.

Add the chopped oranges to the batter.

Mixing vanilla extract into the orange cake batter before letting it rest.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mix it into the batter with the oranges, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.

Finely chopped walnuts in a bowl, ready to be used as a topping for the cake.

Grind the walnuts in a blender into a fine crumb or chop them with a knife.


Peel the oranges and separate them into segments. Cut them into small pieces. Add the chopped oranges to the batter.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mix it into the batter with the oranges, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the topping and preheat the oven.

Grind the walnuts in a blender into a fine crumb or chop them with a knife. Add the remaining 50 g of granulated sugar to the ground walnuts. Add the ground cinnamon, grind 3-4 clove buds in a mortar, and add a pinch of allspice. Mix the topping ingredients well.

Pouring the finished orange cake batter into a parchment-lined baking pan.

Grease the paper with softened butter. Pour the batter into the pan.

Line a cake pan (20×22 cm or approx. 8×9 inches) with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides. Grease the paper with softened butter. Pour the batter into the pan.

The cake pan with batter and topping placed inside an oven to bake.

Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Heating cream, butter, sugar, and coconut in a saucepan to make the glaze.

While the cake is baking, prepare the creamy glaze.

Lifting the freshly baked orange cake out of the baking pan using the parchment paper.

Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully lift it out by the parchment paper edges.


Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

While the cake is baking, prepare the creamy glaze. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and cream. Add the butter, cut into cubes. Stir in the shredded coconut. Heat over low heat until it comes to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.

Remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully lift it out by the parchment paper edges. You can also use foil or a silicone mat.

Pouring the warm, creamy coconut glaze over the freshly baked orange and walnut cake.

Pour the hot creamy glaze over the hot cake, and it's ready!

Pour the hot creamy glaze over the hot cake, and it’s ready! It’s convenient to use a spoon: scoop the glaze and pour it evenly over the cake.

And there you have it—a beautifully fragrant and incredibly delicious Orange Cake with Nuts, ready to be enjoyed! The final touch of the warm, creamy glaze seeps into the cake, making every bite moist and flavorful. This cake is wonderful on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Feel free to experiment with other nuts like pecans or almonds, or try using lemons or grapefruits for a different citrus twist. We hope this simple recipe brings a little extra sweetness and joy to your day. Happy baking!