This easy olive oil and ricotta orange loaf cake is perfectly sweetened, full of bright citrus flavors, and is so moist. This sweet quick bread recipe has a simple orange glaze to boost the orange flavor and adds touch more sweetness.
The combination of the olive oil, ricotta and orange makes takes this loaf cake to the next level. The olive oil and ricotta brings in moisture that keeps this sweet treat moist and soft. While the orange brightens the flavors and adds depth of flavor. The orange glaze rounds out the cake to give it touch more sweetness and punch of citrus.
This citrus loaf cake is perfect to curb your sweet tooth, enjoy with breakfast or have has snack. It never last long in our house and is highly requested since testing out the recipe.
If you are looking for another sweet treat featuring oranges, check out my cranberry orange muffins!
Why you will love this olive oil and ricotta orange loaf cake
Easy: You can whip up this olive oil orange loaf cake without any special equipment or skills. Just a handful of easy to find ingredients and you will have this moist and tender loaf cake ready to enjoy. I find this recipe a lot easier to make compared to traditional cakes. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting to dig into it while it bakes in the oven.
Moist: There really is no other word to describe it! This orange loaf cake is so moist! The trick to getting an extra moist cake is the olive oil and ricotta, as well as making sure to not over mix the batter!
Flavorful: This olive oil orange cake is perfectly sweetened and has a bright citrus flavor in from the orange juice and zest.
Ingredients you will need to make this olive oil loaf cake
All-Purpose Flour: No fancy flours required to make this olive oil loaf cake! If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, opt for a 1:1 ratio gluten-free flour.
Baking powder & Soda: The leavening agents used for this cake.
Salt: Enhances the flavors.
Ricotta: You can use full fat or low-fat ricotta in this recipe. Although it has not been tested, you could probably swap the ricotta for greek yogurt in a pinch.
Olive Oil: Brings moisture to the loaf cake. Choose a mild flavored olive oil for best results.
Eggs: Adds to the structure and the texture of the cake.
Milk: Adds moisture to the batter. You can use any percentage milk you would like or opt for a plant-based milk if you wish.
Sugar: Granulated sugar brings the sweetness to this recipe.
Orange Juice and Zest: Both the juice and the zest will be used in the batter to add the bright citrus flavors.
Vanilla: Adds to the flavor of this olive oil cake.
Orange Glaze: The homemade glaze is made up of just 3 ingredients: Powdered sugar, orange juice and orange zest! Thats it! Simple but so delicious!
Tips and tricks when making this sweet treat
- Be careful to not over mix the batter after adding in the dry ingredients. Overmixed batter can cause a denser and heavier loaf cake.
- Start on the low end of the bake time. There are a variety of factors that can influence the bake time, and you do not an overbaked loaf cake. It is done when the batter is just set, and toothpick comes out clean.
- When making the orange glaze, start by mixing 2 tablespoons of orange juice with the powdered sugar and orange zest. If it is too thick and 1/2 tablespoon at a time until it has reached the desired consistency. It should be just thin enough to drizzle it onto the cake.
- Let the loaf cake cool before adding the glaze to it.
- You can store the loaf cake at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
If you give this olive oil and ricotta orange loaf cake recipe a try, be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I really appreciate your feedback.
And tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.
From kitchen to yours, happy baking! I hope you love this loaf cake as much as we do!
Olive Oil and Ricotta Orange Loaf Cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 C. Ricotta
- 1/2 C. Olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 C. Milk
- 3/4 C. Sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1/4 C. Orange juice
- 1 orange zested
- 1 3/4 C. All-purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
Orange glaze:
- 3/4 Cup. Powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. Zest
- 2-3 Tbsp. Orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, orange zest and eggs. Beat the eggs and sugar together for about 30 seconds with an electric mixer. Add in the orange juice, milk, ricotta, oil, and vanilla extract. Beat together until fully combined. Stir in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Pour the batter into a 1-pound loaf pan either greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until batter is just set. Remove from the oven and let cool. Remove from the loaf pan.
- To make the orange glaze, add the powdered sugar and orange zest into a medium mixing bowl. Stir together. Add in 2 tablespoons of orange juice and whisk until fully combined. If it seems too thick, whisk in 1/2 tablespoon of orange juice at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
- Once the loaf cake has cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the loaf cake. Enjoy!
