Get ready to satisfy your sweet cravings with our Instant Pot Orange Cake. This moist and zesty treat is easy to make and bursting with citrus flavor. Perfect for any occasion, it's sure to impress everyone at the table.
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Orange Flavored Instant Pot Sponge Cake
So why make an orange-flavored sponge cake? Well, you get all the wonderful aroma and flavor of oranges in a moist cake. Not to mention the fact that it is super easy to make in your Instant Pot.
A slice or orange cake is a great way to end a meal, and this one will certainly wow everyone. Plus, you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen baking it.
Why This Recipe Works
If you've never had an orange cake, you are in for a treat. This sweet citrusy dessert is perfect for summer, and made even easier when you don't have to turn on the oven!
- Citrus Delight: The vibrant orange flavor makes this cake a refreshing and delightful treat.
- Effortless Preparation: The Instant Pot ensures a moist, evenly baked cake with minimal effort.
- Eye-Catching Dessert: Its bright color and tantalizing aroma make it an attractive centerpiece.
📋 Ingredients
- Orange Cake Mix Box: Provides all the necessary dry ingredients for the cake, and infuses it with a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Water: Activates the cake mix, creating the right consistency for a moist and fluffy cake.
- Large Eggs: Act as a binding agent, keeping the cake together while adding moisture and richness.
- Canola Oil: Ensures the cake stays soft and tender, enhancing its overall texture.
Glaze Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar: Forms the base of the glaze, providing a sweet counterpoint to the tangy orange.
- Milk: Thins out the powdered sugar, creating a pourable glaze that drapes beautifully over the cake.
- Orange Zest: Infuses the glaze with a fresh, citrusy punch that complements the flavor of the orange cake.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Flour & Texture Adjustments: Experiment with using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for a lighter crumb, or blend in a bit of almond flour for a subtle nutty flavor and moist texture.
- Citrus Enhancements: Boost the orange flavor by incorporating both fresh orange juice and zest into the batter. For a twist, add a splash of lemon or lime juice to brighten the citrus profile.
- Glaze & Topping Options: Elevate your cake by drizzling it with an orange-infused glaze or a simple powdered sugar dusting. You can also top with candied orange slices or toasted coconut flakes for added texture and visual appeal.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Orange Cake
- Step 1: Grease all sides of the cake pan. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1 cup of water, canola oil and 3 eggs. Mix well until a batter is formed.
- Step 2: Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, ⅓ cup oil, and 3 whole eggs in a bowl. Pour the batter into the greased cake pan.
- Step 3: Gently cover the cake pan with a paper towel. Using a piece of aluminum foil, cover the paper towel, and gently secure the paper towel around the rim of the pan. Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet inside the Instant Pot insert.
- Step 4: Cook on high pressure for 50 minutes. Next, allow a natural release for 15 minutes. Remove the cake pan from the Instant Pot. Remove the foil and place it on a cooling rack to cool. To make your orange cake frosting or glaze, whisk together the icing sugar and milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Step 5: Zest an orange and mix it into the orange cake glaze. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake and set aside until the glaze hardens. Be sure to allow your cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- If you do not have a cake button or Instant Pot cake setting, you can still make this recipe! Here is what the cake button means: So without a Cake Button, your cook time can vary.
- Normal Setting – High Pressure 40 mins
- More Setting – High Pressure 50 mins
- Less Setting – High Pressure 25 mins
For this recipe, you would push the manual or pressure cook button and set the time for 50 minutes. To learn more about the Instant Pot buttons, read my post: What Instant Pot Buttons Do I Use
💭 FAQs
No, the cake box mix has all the dry ingredients you need so there is no need to add any additional ingredients. The steam in the Instant Pot helps to create a perfectly moist yet still light and fluffy cake.
Orange cake goes great with a light and fluffy buttercream frosting. You can also make a delicious orange glaze as instructed above. These two options are best when it comes to this orange cake dessert cuisine.
Orange zest has a strong citrus flavor with a hint of bitterness. It’s perfect for adding some flavor to your cake and glaze, without overpowering the dish. Pour glaze with a light hand, spread the glaze over the cake’s surface, and allow it to set until firm.
Absolutely! Orange juice can be substituted for the orange extract, although if you want a stronger flavor you may want to opt for using both. You’ll also need less milk if using extra orange juice.
If you use a nonstick well-greased cake pan then your prepared cake pan will allow the orange cake to slide out of the pan easily once cooled. Whether you use a regular cake pan or a springform pan the cake should come out of the pan with ease.
Allow the Instant Pot orange cake to cool in the pot for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover the orange cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooling. Consume within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture. For longer storage, wrap the fully cooled cake in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the freezing date and store for up to 2-3 months. Alternatively, slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, and then freeze. This allows you to defrost and enjoy slices as needed.
How to Make Your Cake Fun to Serve
- Edible Flowers: If you want to take your cake-decorating game up a notch, try adding some edible flowers. Candied oranges or simple orange slices are also great toppings for this orange dessert.
- Almonds And Coconut: You can also top the cake with chopped almonds or shredded coconut to add texture and flavor. And if you want more orange zest then feel free to add it according to your preference.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Orange Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 Orange Cake Mix
- 1 Cup Water
- 3 Eggs
- ⅓ Cup Canola Oil
- 1 Cup Water
Icing
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar icing sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons Milk
- Zest Of An Orange
Instructions
- Grease all sides of the cake pan. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, 1 cup of water, canola oil and 3 eggs. Mix well until a batter is formed.
- Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, ⅓ cup oil, and 3 whole eggs in a bowl. Pour the batter in the greased cake pan.
- Gently cover the cake pan with a paper towel. Using a piece of aluminum foil, cover the paper towel, and gently secure the paper towel around the rim of the pan.
- Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet inside the Instant Pot insert.
- Add the Instant Pot lid and set the valve or steam release handle to the sealing position. Press the “Cake” button and set the mode to “Less”. Adjust the cooking time to 50 minutes. If your instant Pot does not have the cake setting set the cake to cook on high pressure for 50 minutes.
- Once the cake has finished pressure cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release from the pot. After 15 minutes remove any remaining pressure before taking off the lid. Remove the cake pan from the Instant Pot. Remove the foil and place it on a cooling rack to cool.
- To make your orange cake frosting or glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar (icing sugar) and milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Zest an orange and mix it into the orange cake glaze. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake and set aside until the glaze hardens. Be sure to allow your cake to cool completely before adding the glaze.
- Your Instant Pot orange cake is now ready to cut and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
More Instant Pot Desserts To Try?
If you love this Instant Pot Cake recipe you will also enjoy the following delicious recipes:
This looks really delicious
This looks delicious! 😋
What size cake pan? What settings & time do you use if you do not have a "cake" button?
we use a size 6 cake pan and if you don't have a cake button cook on high pressure for 40 minutes.
Wow. Seems super simple! And again, I really love that there aren't a lot of ingredients used. I've got such a big sweet tooth. It gets me in trouble sometimes though lol.
yes it's a favorite in our home!
Now this I am trying out today!! Sounds easy enough and looks delicious.
Now this I am trying out today!! Sounds easy enough and looks delicious. Can you please expand on what a size 6 cake pan is? Thank you
a six inch spring form cake pan.
How can you not like an orange cake. This looks so good and easy to do.
Hello, I am new to using an Insta Pot. Do I need to use the trivet or can I just sit the cake pan in there?
that is up to you. It will work either way but i prefer the trivet.