Sunny Orange Breakfast Loaf

🍊 Fluffy. Fragrant. Golden. This isn’t just a loaf — it’s sunshine you can slice. Imagine the intense aroma of fresh oranges mingling with the sweetness of vanilla and the warmth of baked citrus zest. This cake-bread hybrid is soft as a cloud, moist like a syrup-soaked sponge, yet light enough for breakfast and beautiful enough for guests. 🌞

🌿 You don’t need butter. You don’t need a mixer. And you certainly don’t need an excuse to make this. It’s ready in 10 minutes, bakes while you get on with your day, and slices into something halfway between a French tea cake and a Mediterranean morning treat. The secret? You blend the whole orange — peel and all — for a full-bodied citrus hit that’s impossible to forget. Serve it warm, dusted with sugar, or glazed to perfection. Either way, it’s going to disappear faster than you baked it. ☀️

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Whole Orange Wonder — You use the entire orange (yes, peel included!) for maximum flavour and zero waste.
Effortless Prep — No mixer needed — just blend, whisk, pour, and bake.
Perfect Texture — Moist, tender crumb with a light citrusy tang.
Versatile Delight — Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert with tea.
Family Favourite — Kid-friendly, festive, and refreshingly different from the usual banana bread.

📅 Nutrition Per Serving (for 6 slices)

Calories: 293 kcal
Protein: 5.6 g
Fat: 11.9 g
Carbohydrates: 40.7 g
Sugars: 22.2 g
Fibre: 1.8 g

👨‍🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-step)

Step 1: Prepare the Orange
Wash the orange thoroughly. Cut it into chunks with the peel on and remove any seeds.
💡 Choose a sweet, thin-skinned orange for best flavour and zero bitterness.

Step 2: Blend the Wet Mix
Place the orange pieces in a blender with eggs, sugar, and oil.
💡 Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother, fluffier texture.

Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Blend until the mixture is thick, creamy and fully combined.
💡 Don’t over-blend — 20–30 seconds is usually enough.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
💡 Sift the flour to avoid lumps and give a lighter texture.

Step 5: Mix It All Together
Pour the orange mixture into the flour bowl and gently whisk until smooth.
💡 Mix just until combined — overmixing can toughen the crumb.

Step 6: Check the Batter
The batter should be thick but pourable, with a creamy consistency.
💡 Let it rest for 5 minutes before baking to hydrate the flour.

Step 7: Prepare the Tin
Line a 20–22 cm round pan with parchment and lightly oil the sides.
💡 For a tall loaf, use a smaller pan; for thinner slices, use a wider one.

Step 8: Time to Bake
Pour in the batter and bake at 180°C (no fan) for 35–40 minutes.
💡 Don’t open the oven early — this cake needs stable heat to rise.

Step 9: Check for Doneness
Insert a wooden skewer — it should come out clean.
💡 If slightly moist, give it another 5 minutes and test again.

Step 10: Cool and Finish
Let the loaf cool fully. Dust with powdered sugar or glaze if desired.
💡 Top with thin orange slices for an elegant brunch presentation.

🥣 Ingredients:

🍊 1 large orange (with peel, de-seeded)
🥚 3 eggs
🍬 1 cup sugar (200 ml)
🛢️ 7 tbsp vegetable oil
🥣 2 cups flour (2×200 ml)
✨ 1 packet baking powder (10–12 g)

🧊 Storage & Freshness Tips

❄️ Fridge: Keeps well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
🧊 Freezer: Freeze whole or sliced for up to 2 months — just thaw overnight.
🔁 Refresh: Reheat slices in a toaster oven for 3–4 minutes to restore softness.

🍽️ Kitchen Tools and 🛠️ Equipment Needed 🔪

🍊 Blender or food processor
🥣 Mixing bowl
🥄 Whisk or silicone spatula
📏 Measuring cups and spoons
🍞 Round baking tin (20–22 cm)

🍊 Golden, cheerful, and bursting with citrus, this loaf is a love letter to simple ingredients done right. Every bite feels like a sunny morning — bright, balanced, and full of comfort. The whole orange gives it a twist your guests won’t expect but will absolutely love. It’s proof that healthy can be indulgent, and easy can still impress. So next time you see oranges at the market, don’t walk — run. Because once you’ve tried this, store-bought muffins just won’t cut it. Save this gem, bake it often, and make it part of your happy rituals. ☀️