Orange Yogurt Pound Cake

Last week was my first time – ever -  to make a pound cake.

I know! What in the world was I thinking waiting that long?

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But this wasn’t just any pound cake.

I wanted it to be the cake version of my very favorite winter citrus before they were out of season: cara cara oranges.

Have you ever had cara cara oranges? Nick and I fell in love with them last winter, and I’ve been stocking up on them the last few weeks after seeing them in stores again.

They taste like oranges, but they look like grapefruits once you cut into them – the actual fruit is pink inside! 

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When I started researching pound cake recipes, I knew I could make one that was not only full of flavor but that was also healthier than some of the recipes I saw.

My secret weapon in this cake?

Stonyfield Whole Milk Yogurt.

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The yogurt gives the cake a soft but dense crumb and helps keep it from drying out, along with the sugar syrup and glaze.

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Even better?

This cake can be mixed up in less than 10 minutes and only needs one mixing bowl. And less dirty dishes is always a plus in my kitchen.

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If this won’t brighten up a cold winter day, I’m not sure what will.

Orange Yogurt Pound Cake

  • 1 cup whole milk yogurt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • zest from 2 Cara Cara oranges
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Line loaf pan with parchment paper or grease and flour pan.
  3. Whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, zest, and vanilla.
  4. Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Fold the oil into the batter.
  6. Pour into loaf pan.
  7. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. While the cake cools, heat the 1/3 cup of sugar with the juice until the sugar is dissolved. Once the cake has cooled about 10 minutes, pour the juice mixture over the top and let it soak in.
  9. Remove the cake after a few minutes and let it finish cooling on a rack.
  10. Mix together the powdered sugar, juice, and vanilla and pour the glaze over the cake.

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28 comments

  1. Yummy! Seems like you’ve been liking recipes with oranges a lot lately. Not that I mind or anything…delicious. :-D

  2. I bought some whole milk Stoneyfield yogurt to make the cheesecakes you posted a few days ago. The yogurt is amazing; I never thought a little fat could make such a big difference; it’s so creamy.

  3. I’ve seen cara cara oranges in the supermarket but I never knew what the difference was with them. I am definitely going to get one when I go shopping this weekend! I have been obssessed with oranges lately. Your orange yogurt pound cake looks absolutely delicious! Oh and that glaze! I can only imagine how incredible it tastes. I definitely need to make this! :)

  4. I’ve never made pound cake either. Of all the things I have made. And I can’t say that I’ve ever had a cara cara orange…

  5. YESSSS! :) This is an orange recipe I can get behind! :) I have a slight obsession with all things citrus – I think this may be my “baking project of the week” this week!

  6. These looks absolutely delicious! I’m drooling at my computer… not even normal is it? Can you send one of those down the road to Richmond please ;)

  7. Will you please open an online bakery?

  8. ooh, i fell in love with cara cara’s last year too! only picked them up once this year and was a little disappointed… Love this pound cake, those are my kind of modifications!

  9. Love love love this recipe, i’m going to have to try it out stat! :)

  10. beautiful! And such a welcome shot of brightness at this time of the year…
    love,
    cathy b.

  11. This looks amazing! I made a maple yogurt pound cake last week, and I am still trying to figure out why it was dry. I will have to try this recipe.

  12. I’ve actually never made a pound cake either. I guess I’ve only tried it from a bakery or a grocery store. I’m curious how the taste compares with the yogurt – does it taste poundcake like or more like a quick bread? I guess I’ve always associated pound cake with a strong buttery flavor and since this recipe has no butter, I’m curious.

    • Me too – the only pound cake I had tried before this was the usual butter-filled recipe, but this still had a great flavor! If you tasted this right beside one made with butter, you might be able to tell a difference, but because of all the citrus, I think that flavor is what comes through the most.

  13. I’ve never had a cara cara orange- but they look awesome! I actually thought- wow, those look like grapefruits (and then I read what you wrote haha). That yogurt is fabulous. Josh couldn’t stop raving about it. Such a delicious creation!

  14. I recently fell in love with pound cake. This looks delicious!

  15. I’ve actually never made a pound cake either – but I don’t bake much – you may have changed my mind!

    Have a great weekend Brandi!

  16. OH man, I saw that last picture on facebook yesterday and knew that you had something yummy up your sleeve!

  17. Terrific pictures! Looks yummy.

  18. Way to rock your first pound cake! Good work! I found your blog through Oh She Glows, and it’s just fantastic! I went through a couple of your recent posts, I’m totally loving the yogurt biscuits – it’s such an original idea. I bet they were so creamy and delicious! I’ve added you to my reader, can’t wait for more great recipes :)

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