Orange Sunshine Coffee Cake

By Bree Hester Jump to Recipe

Treat your guests to this impressive yet easy-to-make Orange Sunshine Coffee Cake full of zesty, vibrant flavors.

If you’re having company over on the weekends, you might want to treat them to a cup of coffee or tea with something delectable and just a little fancy. Sure, you could head to the nearest bakery and pick up a box of Danish or a pretty pie, but if you have some time on your hands, why not go the extra mile and make something delicious yourself?

This tempting coffee cake, inspired by a recipe originally from the King Arthur Baking Company, is just the thing if you’re looking for a decidedly impressive sweet delight that is actually quite easy to make. With its soft, tender crumb and aromatic filling of orange zest and cinnamon, each piece of this eye-catching creation is like a burst of edible sunshine—hence the name! Yes, we should point out that the rising time will require some patience, but it will be more than rewarded when you taste and see the results.

Though this cake is perfect for entertaining, it also does quite well as a tasty addition to Sunday brunch or as an attractive contribution to a potluck.

Give it a twist!

Though we’ve opted for orange juice and zest in the filling and icing of this cake, you can easily use any citrus fruit you like. We especially love the combination of lime and mandarin oranges, but blood oranges and lemons will work well, too. If possible, opt for organic citrus fruit that has not been sprayed with chemicals. To add even more citrus tang to the cake, go ahead and stir some zest of choice into the dough as well. When serving, garnish each piece of cake with candied citrus curls.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover cake should be transferred to an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. It will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bear in mind that cold temperatures will render its tender crumb slightly more compact. You can also freeze the cake in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Serving suggestions

A perfect pairing for this citrusy cake is a steaming cup of coffee or our aromatic Russian Tea. If you’re serving this as part of a brunch spread, consider adding a few savory dishes such as our hearty Breakfast Strata or these Skillet Breakfast Potatoes alongside our easy Sheet-Pan Eggs.

Orange Sunshine Coffee Cake

Bree Hester

4.67 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Rising Time + Cooling Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Total Time 5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 368 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For The Dough:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 egg lightly whisked

For The Filling:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant clear jell
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 3 tablespoons orange juice

For The Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

 

To Make The Dough:

• Gently warm the milk in a small saucepan. Add the butter and heat until it melts.
  
• Pour the milk and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Stir in the yeast, 1 cup of the flour, and the sugar. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let stand for 10 minutes.
  
• After this time, bubbles should have started to form. Add the orange juice and egg.
• Add the remaining flour and knead with the dough hook until a smooth dough forms, approximately 5 minutes.
  
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  

To Make The Filling:

• Mix the sugar, clear jell, cinnamon, orange zest, and orange juice.
  

To Shape The Cake:

• Punch down the dough and let rest for 5 minutes.
  
• Roll the dough out to a rectangle of about 12×18 inches.
  
• Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving one side with a 1/2 inch border. Roll up and pinch the seams shut.
  
• Place the dough on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Pull the ends together to form a ring. Pinch together to seal.
  
• Cut 3/4-inch slits all the way around. Lay the rings on their side and overlap them, or twist to alternating sides. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
  
• After 20 minutes of rising time, preheat the oven to 375℉. Once the dough has risen, bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  
• Allow to cool on a wire rack for 1 1/2 hours.

To Make The Icing And Finish The Cake:

• Whisk together the sugar and orange juice until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake and serve.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 6gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 38mgFiber: 2g

Keyword Orange Sunshine Coffee Cake

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