The Ultimate Moist Orange Juice Bundt Cake Recipe with Simple Glaze

Prepare to be swept away by this incredibly moist and flavorful orange juice cake! Featuring a delicate, citrus-infused crumb and topped with a luscious, sweet orange glaze, this bundt cake is a true delight for all seasons. It’s perfect for bright summer gatherings, cozy family desserts, or simply as a refreshing treat to brighten your day. Every bite combines vibrant orange notes with a wonderfully tender texture, making it an irresistible classic.

This fantastic orange cake recipe effortlessly comes together with the help of a white cake mix, a classic bundt pan, and an abundance of fresh orange flavor. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can yield truly spectacular results.

There’s an undeniable charm about citrus desserts, especially those infused with the bright, sunshiny taste of orange. Much like an orange fluff salad, a hearty orange loaf cake, or a refreshing no-bake orange lush, this orange bundt cake instantly evokes feelings of warm weather and joyful moments. The zesty, tangy, and subtly tart notes of orange provide a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the cake, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.

Our orange bundt cake is a harmonious blend of tanginess and sweetness, incredibly moist, and wonderfully soft, all while maintaining a satisfying density. The effortless 2-ingredient orange glaze drizzled over the top transforms a simple cake into an elegant centerpiece. Using a white cake mix also ensures that the vibrant orange color of the cake really pops, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious!

This isn’t just one of my favorite summer desserts; it’s a versatile treat that doubles as an anytime snack – equally delightful with or without its signature glaze. Its bright and refreshing taste makes it suitable for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Essential Ingredients for Your Moist Orange Juice Cake

This section provides detailed ingredient notes and helpful substitution options to ensure your orange juice cake turns out perfectly every time. For precise measurements, the complete ingredient list, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.

• Box White Cake Mix: This is our secret weapon for an incredibly easy and consistently moist cake. While white cake mix yields the brightest orange color, a yellow cake mix or butter cake mix can also be used, though they might result in a slightly different hue and flavor base.
• Fresh Orange Zest: Don’t skip this! Fresh orange zest is where a significant portion of that intense, aromatic orange flavor comes from. It contains the essential oils that truly elevate the cake’s taste, giving it a vibrant, natural citrus punch. Aim for the colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith. About one large orange should provide enough zest.
• Large Eggs: It’s crucial to bring your eggs out to room temperature approximately 30 minutes before you start baking. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender cake texture.
• Fresh Orange Juice: For the best and most authentic orange flavor, I highly recommend fresh-squeezed orange juice. The natural sweetness and acidity are unmatched. Typically, about 3 large oranges will yield the required amount of juice for this recipe. If fresh is unavailable, good quality store-bought 100% orange juice can be used, but fresh truly makes a difference. Ensure it’s also at room temperature.
• Salted Butter: Melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly before incorporating it into the batter. This adds richness and moisture. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, simply add a pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) to the dry ingredients to balance the flavors.
• Sour Cream: Another key ingredient for supreme moisture and a tender crumb. Sour cream adds a lovely tanginess and richness without making the cake heavy. Like the eggs and orange juice, bringing it to room temperature helps it blend seamlessly into the batter, preventing curdling and ensuring a smooth consistency.
• For the Glaze: You’ll need Confectioner’s Sugar (also known as powdered sugar) for a smooth, lump-free glaze, and additional Orange Juice to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency. The amount of orange juice can be adjusted based on how thick or thin you prefer your glaze.

Essential Equipment for Baking Your Bundt Cake

Having the right tools can make your baking experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for this orange juice bundt cake:

• Bundt Pan: A standard 10-12 cup bundt pan is essential for achieving the cake’s signature elegant shape. Ensure it’s well-greased and floured.
• Hand or Stand Mixer: An electric mixer makes light work of combining the ingredients, ensuring a smooth and lump-free batter.
• Large Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least one large bowl for the cake batter and a smaller one for whisking the glaze.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Crucial for allowing the cake to cool evenly and preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
• Zester or Microplane: For efficiently grating the orange zest without getting any of the bitter white pith.
• Citrus Juicer: If using fresh oranges, a juicer will make extracting the juice much easier.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Perfect Orange Juice Cake

Follow these easy steps with accompanying photos to create a show-stopping orange juice bundt cake. For the full printable recipe, including precise measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Bundt Pan. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when the cake goes in, promoting even baking. Next, meticulously grease your bundt pan with nonstick baking spray, ensuring every crevice is coated, or brush generously with softened butter and dust with flour. This critical step prevents the cake from sticking and preserves its beautiful design. Set the prepared pan aside.

Step 2: Combine Cake Mix and Orange Zest. In a large mixing bowl, combine the box cake mix with the fresh orange zest. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat these two ingredients together on low speed for about 1-2 minutes. This gentle mixing allows the oils from the orange zest to be released and infuse the dry mix, making it wonderfully fragrant and ensuring that bright orange flavor permeates the entire cake.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients. To the fragrant cake mix, add the room temperature large eggs, fresh orange juice, slightly cooled melted butter, and room temperature sour cream. Beat on medium-low speed until all the ingredients are just smooth and thoroughly combined. Be careful not to overmix, as overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour and result in a dense, tough cake rather than a tender, moist one.

Step 4: Fill the Bundt Pan. Carefully pour the prepared cake batter evenly into your greased and floured bundt pan. Use a spoon or spatula to gently spread the batter and smooth out the top surface, ensuring it is level. This helps the cake bake evenly and achieve a perfect shape.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the bundt pan in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden skewer or cake tester inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Avoid opening the oven door too frequently during baking to prevent temperature fluctuations that can cause the cake to sink.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the bundt pan for exactly 10 minutes. This crucial cooling period allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it easier to release from the pan without tearing. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the cake onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. While the cake cools, prepare your simple glaze by whisking confectioner’s sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled cake and let it set for another 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the glaze to firm up beautifully.

Storage Tips for Your Orange Juice Cake

Proper storage ensures your delicious orange juice cake remains fresh and moist for as long as possible:

• Room Temperature: If your cake is glazed, store leftovers covered loosely with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze acts as a protective layer, helping to seal in moisture.
• Refrigerator: For extended freshness, especially in warmer climates or if the cake is unglazed, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• Freezer: This cake freezes beautifully! To freeze, wrap individual slices or the entire cooled, unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before glazing and serving.

Delicious Variations to Customize Your Orange Cake

While this orange juice cake is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these variations:

• Swap the Cake Mix: Don’t limit yourself to white cake mix! A chocolate cake mix creates an incredibly rich and delicious chocolate orange cake. A lemon cake mix could offer an interesting citrus twist, or a spice cake mix might bring a warm, comforting note.
• Use Greek Yogurt: If you don’t have sour cream, plain full-fat Greek yogurt works exceptionally well as a substitute. It provides similar moisture and a delightful tang, often with added protein.
• Bottled Orange Juice: While fresh-squeezed is always best for flavor, quality store-bought 100% orange juice can be used in a pinch. You might want to add a little extra orange zest to boost the flavor if using bottled juice.
• No Orange Zest? If fresh oranges aren’t available, you can substitute with a few drops (start with ½ teaspoon and add more to taste) of high-quality orange extract. However, fresh zest provides a more vibrant and natural flavor.
• Add-ins: Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips for an orange-chocolate swirl, or ½ cup of dried cranberries for a festive touch. You could also sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for a nutty crunch.
• Alternative Glazes: Instead of the simple orange glaze, consider a cream cheese frosting for a richer dessert, or a lighter lemon glaze if you want to amplify the citrus brightness. A dusting of powdered sugar is also a beautiful and simple finish.

Discover More Delicious Bundt Cake Recipes

If you love the ease and elegance of bundt cakes, explore some of our other favorite recipes:

• Easy Lemon Bundt Cake with Cake Mix
• Delightful Peach Bundt Cake
• Old Fashioned Sour Cream Pound Cake
• Irresistible Banana Bundt Cake
• Festive Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake