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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Cake Recipes

    Published: Mar 3, 2021 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    Orange Bundt Cake

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    A vertical closeup photo of an Orange Bundt Cake on a white cake stand with an orange ribbon along with a title text overlay graphic.
    A vertical photo collage of two images of Orange Bundt Cake. One a whole cake and one is a slice on a plate with a fork.

    Orange Bundt Cake with Banana and Poppy Seeds is a super moist and flavorful citrus cake that is perfect for any and all occasions.

    A vertical collage image of two views of Orange Bundt Cake one whole, and one slice.

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making this tasty Orange Bundt Cake is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe. 

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    A vertical collage image of two Orange Bundt Cakes. One in a pan, and one iced and on a cake plate.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • 2 cups buttermilk (or homemade buttermilk substitute)
    • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest
    • 1 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
    • 2 sticks butter (softened)
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 5 large eggs (at room temperature)
    • 1 over-ripe banana, mashed
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
    • 2 cups confectioners sugar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
    • fresh orange zest (garnish)
    • homemade orange curd for topping (optional)

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • stand mixer or hand mixer
    • mixing bowls
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • citrus zester
    • bundt pan
    • baking spray
    • baking sheet (optional)
    • spatula
    • pastry blender or fork
    • cake tester or toothpick
    • kitchen timer
    • cake plate

    Why this recipe works?

    It's got a lovely citrus flavor with a moist tangy crumb thanks to the addition of the mashed bananas and buttermilk.

    This cake isn't fussy to make, and the flavor is outstanding!

    How this recipe came to be:

    This orange bundt cake with bananas and poppy seeds came about because I've been craving oranges like crazy this freezing cold winter, and have been purchasing navel oranges non-stop from the grocery store.

    But craving oranges isn't the only reason this incredibly delicious citrus bundt cake came about.

    You see, along with all the navel oranges I've been craving, I've also been re-binge-watching the entire series (yep, all the seasons) of the Great British Bake Off which always puts me in the mood to bake like mad!

    The combination of those two things led me to create this recipe for Best Orange Bundt Cake with Banana and Poppy Seeds. So if you're ready...On your marks! Get set! BAKE!!

    Get my recipe for homemade orange curd.

    Closeup picture of a spoonful of homemade orange curd.
    Homemade Orange Curd

    What is the purpose of baking with buttermilk as opposed to regular milk?

    • Buttermilk (or a buttermilk substitute) ensures a moist and tender bake by breaking down tough gluten strands in a batter.
    • Baking with buttermilk also adds a slight tartness to baked good which is very pleasant to the palate in contrast to many sweet, rich desserts.

    What if you don't have buttermilk in the fridge?

    What's that? You don't have buttermilk in the fridge but you have all the other ingredients on hand to make this citrus pound cake! Now what?

    NO PROBLEM! Did you know you can make your own buttermilk at home?

    How to make homemade buttermilk:

    • Add 1 tablespoon of white or cider vinegar (lemon juice can also be used) per every cup of regular milk.
    • Stir.
    • Allow the mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes. 
    • Replaces store-bought regular buttermilk for all your favorite baking recipes.
    Close up picture of the inside of a moist orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.

    If this cake is so moist, does it need a topping or icing? 

    No, not really.

    With the addition of the buttermilk and the mashed banana in the batter, a topping or icing isn't actually necessary.

    However, if you're looking to really guild-the-lily, and take this citrus bundt cake over the top in regards to flavor and impressive presentation, then homemade orange curd (along with an orange icing glaze) is the perfect sweet and sour topping for this homebaked scratch orange cake you won't soon forget.

    Fresh homemade orange curd being drizzled onto a slice of citrus bundt cake.
    Why not guild-the-lily with fresh homemade orange curd drizzled over the top?

    The step-by-step photo instructions for making orange bundt cake:

    • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
    • Add the buttermilk into a medium bowl.
    • OR (if making homemade buttermilk) stir two tablespoons of vinegar into 2 cups of milk. Set aside.
    • Add the zest of two oranges to the buttermilk along with fresh orange juice, and orange extract (optional).
    • Stir well. 
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • Place two sticks of softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and cream together with the granulated sugar using the paddle attachment.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • Mash one overly ripe banana and blend it with the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • Add the buttermilk and orange zest mixture to the bowl and blend until completely combined.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • Working in batches, add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl until all the flour has been incorporated.
    • Stir the poppy seeds into the batter and blend to combine.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, into the batter blending well after each addition.
    • Prepare a bundt pan by spraying liberally with baking spray.
    • Pour the cake batter into the prepared bundt pan.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 75-90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Allow the cake to cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, and then invert the cake out onto a cake plate to cool completely.
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    • To make the orange glaze, mix the confectioners sugar with fresh orange juice.
    • Whisk until smooth and creamy.
    • Top the cake with fresh orange zest while the icing still wet.
    • Serve at room temperature.
    • Spoon homemade orange curd over cake slices before serving, if desired.
    • Enjoy!
    How to make and orange bundt cake with banana and poppy seeds.
    Orange knife cutting a slice of orange banana and poppy seed bundt cake.

    Can this cake be frozen?

    Yes.

    Wrap it well, or store it in an air-tight freezer container for up to 2 months.

    How to store this orange bundt cake:

    Store this cake, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Additional citrus recipes you'll also enjoy:

    *Lemon Drop Cheesecake with Lemon Curd Topping (shown below)

    Your family and friends will drop their jaws to the floor when you bring this Lemon Drop Cheesecake to the table! 

    Overhead photo of lemon curd cheesecake with daisies.

    *Blueberry Lemon Scones (not shown)

    There is nothing like the fresh and flavorful combination of blueberries and lemon. Especially for breakfast. These easy-to-make Blueberry Lemon Scones with Lemon Vanilla Icing are the perfect treat to start any day.

    *Avocado Mango Salad with Lime Vinaigrette (shown below)

    Heart-Healthy Avocado Mango Salad With Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette is a brightly flavored and satisfying salad. It makes a delicious dinner all by itself, or for extra protein why not add some cooked chicken breast or turkey? Your call. Your salad.

    Healthy Salad on a platter with blueberries, pistachios, mangos and limes.

    *Avocado Orange Salad (not shown)

    This retro avocado orange salad is delightfully healthy and delicious. And the orange poppy seed dressing is the perfect finishing touch.

    *Orange Cream Eclairs (not shown, but in the featured video)

    If you’re looking for a delicious pastry that’s not too difficult to make but impressive to serve, these Orange Cream Eclairs are just the ticket. A word to the wise, however, you may want to make a double batch because they’ll be gobbled up quickly.

    *Orange Bundt Cake with Banana and Poppy Seeds (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

    A vertical closeup photo of an Orange Bundt Cake on a white cake stand with an orange ribbon along with a title text overlay graphic.

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's luscious citrus bundt cake.

    ⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

    Citrus bundt cake with citrus icing and orange zest on a white cake plate.

    Orange Bundt Cake with Banana and Poppy Seeds

    Renee Goerger
    Deliciously moist and flavorful. This orange bundt cake is as impressive to serve as it is to eat!
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Course bundt cake, Dessert, Dessert - Cake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20
    Calories 308 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the cake;

    • 2 cups buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoons orange zest
    • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
    • 1 teaspoon orange extract optional
    • 1 (overripe) banana mashed
    • 1 cup butter softened
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 5 large eggs at room temperature

    For the orange icing;

    • 2 cups confectioners sugar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest for garnish

    Instructions
     

    To make the cake;

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, orange zest, orange juice, and orange extract (optional). Set aside.
    • Mash the banana with a fork in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Add the mashed banana to the butter and sugar mixture and blend to combine.
    • Add the buttermilk mixture to the mixing bowl and blend on low speed to combine.
    • Incorporate the flour mixture (by thirds) into the mixing bowl, blending after each addition.
    • Add the eggs (one at a time) into the batter blending well after each addition.
    • Stir in the poppy seeds until well distributed throughout the batter.
    • Pour the batter into a bundt pan which has been liberally sprayed with baking spray. 
    • Place the cake pan on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 75-90 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
    • Cool the cake on a baking rack for 30 minutes and then turn the cake out onto a serving plate and allow to cool completely before icing.

    To make the icing;

    • In a medium bowl whisk together the confectioner's sugar and fresh orange juice until the icing is thick, but still falls off the whisk pretty freely. *Note - if the icing is too thick add a touch more juice. If the icing is too thin, add a touch more confectioner's sugar.
    • Liberally ice the top of the cooled orange bundt cake allowing the icing to trail down the sides of the cake.
    • Garnish the top of the cake with fresh orange zest (if desired) while the icing is still wet.
    • Serve at room temperature for best flavor.

    Notes

    Tools and equipment;
    bundt pan, baking spray, stand mixer or hand mixer, large bowls, small bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring spoons, measuring cups, baking sheet, cooling rack, cake plate, orange juicer (optional), microplane (for zesting oranges), fork (to mash banana).
    To store;
    Cover and refrigerate the cake for up to 3 days.
    Best served at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 0gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 395IUVitamin C: 4.6mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for this delicious scratch-orange bundt cake that tastes like sunshine as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    An overhead image of an iced Orange Bundt Cake with orange zest on top along with a bowl of orange curd on the side.

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.

    Custom Renee Signature

    More Cake Recipes

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    • Mom's Retro Heath Bar Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robin Daumit says

      January 28, 2023 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      I enjoy your recipes and the happy energy you exude!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 28, 2023 at 7:26 am

        Aww. Thank you so much, Robin!
        What a great comment to see first thing in the morning.
        You made my day! 🙂
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Jenn says

      March 03, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      Renee your cakes are always so so stunning and this delish orange bundt cake is no exception! I wish I could live in your kitchen and taste test all these goodies!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 04, 2021 at 7:18 am

        What a sweet thing to say, Jenn. Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Kim says

      March 03, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the recipe, I'm printing this now! Looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 04, 2021 at 7:18 am

        Thank you, Kim. You're going to love this cake!!

        Reply
    4. Mike says

      February 20, 2019 at 11:26 am

      4 stars
      Well, I ended up making this and the curd. All came out well. The glaze is a bright pink from the blood oranges and the curd is more a deep, rich, red almost like an iced tea color because of cooking it. I'll get a pic and post it over on the Facebook page.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 20, 2019 at 3:53 pm

        I’ll look forward to seeing it!

        Reply
    5. Mike says

      February 15, 2019 at 6:39 am

      This cake looks so delicious. Can't wait to make it.
      I have a question, however. I received around 20 lbs of blood oranges I'm working my way through, or giving to friends and family, LOL and am wondering if that would be a good sub for regular oranges in this recipe. I know the color of the cake and curd will be different, but any other concerns? I'm thinking not, but just checking to be sure.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 15, 2019 at 7:10 am

        Hi, Mike!
        Great question and you're so lucky to have received so many blood oranges.
        They'll work just fine in this recipe.
        The only thing that may affect the taste (from the written navel orange) is that blood oranges have a slight tartness whereas navel oranges are sweeter.
        That said, I don't think the difference is enough to make the cake (or curd) too tart or unpalatable.
        I believe the blood oranges will be delicious substitution in this recipe and the color will be spectacular...especially the curd.
        If you remember I'd love to know how this worked out for you, so please let me know.
        Take care!!
        Renee

        Reply
        • Mike says

          February 15, 2019 at 8:10 am

          Renee,
          These blood oranges seem to be on the sweet side so I'm gonna go for it. Stand by!

          Reply
    6. Lisa says

      February 06, 2019 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      The cake is so amazing. I'm baking it up to share with some friends at brunch this weekend. It looks incredible.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 06, 2019 at 10:59 am

        I'm sure your friends will enjoy it, Lisa! Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Joanie says

      February 06, 2019 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      This was just the cake my family needed to bring a little "sunshine" into our dreary winter days. Such a tender cake, easy to make and incredibly delicious. I'm adding this recipe gem to my files to make over and over again.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 06, 2019 at 10:35 am

        So nice to hear, Joanie! Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    8. April says

      February 04, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      This cake is delicious! The perfect way to bring a little sunshine to this dreary winter.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 04, 2019 at 2:13 pm

        Thank you. I'm glad you think so!!

        Reply
    9. Noelle says

      February 04, 2019 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious! Love all the beautiful pictures, thank you!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        February 04, 2019 at 2:12 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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