Serves a Crowd
Whole Orange Bundt Cake with Five-Spice Streusel
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52 Reviews
corawiec52
December 31, 2021
I loved the idea of this cake and since I had never used Chinese 5 spice, I was excited to make this. This cake, unfortunately, was not worth the effort I spent on it or the number of dishes it made. The finished product was greasy and didn't have any orange flavor. I couldn't really taste the 5 spice either. I have made a number of recipes that I have found on Food52 and loved them, but this was a huge disappointment.
Dawn D.
December 13, 2021
I thought a streusel had butter in it. Did anyone try that modification? How’d it turn out? It’s part of what I love about streusel and it might help with moisture here, Thanks.
Josephsm
October 17, 2021
This was fun and different. The cake was pleasantly slightly bitter - reminded me of Campari a little bit, and was quite moist. For the spice, I used Penzey's Cake Spice and added a few grinds of black pepper and 1/4 tsp anise seeds. I think I'd punch up the spice level a bit more next time (more cardamom?), or try to use Chinese 5 Spice. I used 4 smallish navel oranges that weighed 1.5 pounds. I will make again.
jy2nd
February 28, 2020
This a wonderful cake - one that I love as much as any chocolate cake I’ve had. Delicious and beautiful. ?Thank you for adding this to the Food 52 website.
Jen W.
November 21, 2019
I love the flavor of this cake. It was a little crumbly when cut. I’m thinking about a way to make this in mini form for Thanksgiving since there will be so many other choices on the table. Of course there is the mini Bundt pan but I’m not sure how well the streusel will come through. Another thought was to make this in a rectangular pan and cut into small pieces (square or circle). Any other suggestions?
lori
January 19, 2019
I always vacillate between making this or the Sunset Whole Orange Cake, but this one seems to be the one I default to. The texture is a little lighter, the 5-spice (or a work-around of spices per earlier comment) adds a nice unexpected flavor, and my daughter loves streusel, all for not much more effort than the Sunset recipe. It's one of the handful of cake recipes that is a regular go-to for me. I've used navel oranges (cutting out the pith if very thick), mandarins, Cara Caras, or a mix--all work well.
cocoabrioche
August 6, 2018
Have made this for multiple groups and occasions, and it always gets raves. I like it because it can be made a couple of days ahead; it stays moist, and the flavors blend so it's even better a day or two later. One of my two favorite cakes in a long, long career!
AnnMarie M.
March 8, 2018
I made this, stuck at home in the snow yesterday and brought it in to cheers at work this morning. Devoured it. I typically like making recipes exactly as is the first time but since there was a snow storm outside, I had to make substitutions. I used blood oranges and didn't have five spice powder, so I googled substitutes. I ground up 6 whole star anise, 1 1/2 sticks cinnamon, 15 whole cloves and then mixed it with a 1/2 tsp of ground ginger to make my own spice powder. It was great! And now what to do with the rest of it? Hmmmm
Imbatnan
January 22, 2018
I made this and its ancestor, the Sunset orange cake, last night bc I was intrigued with the different mixing methods. Your/RLB's method definitely created less gluten! I was surprised by the loose, almost crumbly texture, which is unusual for a bundt cake? It was nicely moist and had great flavor, but the texture was more what I expect from a layer cake? I think I'll try that next!
Kimmerie
December 17, 2017
Next to my Red Wine Chocolate Cake, this is the best cake I’ve ever made. Turns out perfect every time. Everyone asks for it. Because of the whole oranges, I feel healthier just for eating it 😂
Little P.
December 25, 2018
Hi there. I'm curious, which Red Wine Chocolate cake recipe are you raving about? There are many recipes out there and I would love to try yours. Thanks!
Kimmerie
December 25, 2018
If you don’t mind sharing your email address I will send it to you. I got it out of La Cucina Italiana magazine which is now out of business. I’ve never seen the recipe anywhere else! Just made it yesterday and it was promptly devoured!
Gulden T.
January 27, 2019
Thank you for the review. I will definitely try it. Also curious about the Red Wine Chocolate cake. Would you care to share the recipe.? Kind of curious as i enjoy chocolate with my wine..
Lynda W.
September 29, 2019
I searched around a while and found an article that includes what appears to be the correct recipe from January/February 2013 La Cucina Italiana magazine.
https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/3051338-lost-italian-torta-strikes-perfect-note-opera-benefit-dessert
https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/3051338-lost-italian-torta-strikes-perfect-note-opera-benefit-dessert
Shary
March 30, 2020
Please send it to me as well! I am in love with chocolate cake and red wine seems the perfect addition...
[email protected]
[email protected]
CK
June 8, 2017
I made this the other day for a school cake walk. It did not make it to the school. We couldn't help ourselves. This cake smells like Christmas and tastes like heaven. I am making it again next week when my parents come for a visit. It's not super sweet but if you enjoy bitter orange flavor, you will adore this cake. It was pretty easy to make, as well. I don't typically toy with recipes in any way but I ran out of butter (sacrilege) and only used 1 1/8 c butter, noticed no difference. I made the cake two days ago, it was wonderful yesterday, and today, the glaze is starting to disappear into the cake. I was planning to freeze some to see how it would do but we don't have enough left. MAKE THIS CAKE.
DelicateFlowah
April 15, 2017
I made this in February 2017 to rave reviews. Made it again last weekend for an impromptu dinner gathering, getting more rave reviews. I'm making it today because Mother-in-law requested it for her birthday. She originally wanted carrot cake but informed me that she wanted it for her birthday next year. So today I've made a carrot cake AND this gem of a recipe for her party. She's going to be 85. And ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if she makes it to next year.
Div
February 17, 2017
I made this sans streusel last night and my husband ate half the cake in one sitting. He claims this is the best dessert I've ever made for him; it's a great pick for anyone who likes some complexity and not too much sweetness in their desserts. I didn't feel like breaking out the food processor so I used my immersion blender to chop up the orange pieces and it worked beautifully.
Starchgirl
February 9, 2017
2/8/17 Delicious exactly as written! Moist, flavorful and not too sweet. I did add the optional lemon juice in the glaze to cut the sweetness. This was a big hit at our dinner party, and everyone wanted to take a piece for breakfast!
Bee
February 7, 2017
I'll never use Five Spice combination other than this cake. Would a good alternative be cardamom? I realize it won't taste the same but that's too dear a spice to buy for one cake.
hardlikearmour
February 7, 2017
I'd probably mix cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon vs. straight cardamom (which might be overpowering on its own).
SophieL
February 7, 2017
Penzey's Cake Spice has almost the same spice combinations as Chinese Five Spice and is a tad bit less expensive ($3.99 vs $4.50) and Bee might be more inclined to use "cake spice" since it's fantastic in baked goods that call for cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and/or cloves.
Bee
February 7, 2017
Absolutely BRILLIANT suggestion! I have every one of those spices on hand and the combination sounds smashing. THANK YOU, hardlikearmour, for that really helpful suggestion; I'll be thinking of YOU when I bake this cake!
Bee
February 7, 2017
I SophieL: I think you also responded on the Bundt cake page, too. I like your suggestion of spices, also, as I have every one of those on hand. Sadly, the closest Penzey's store is 203 miles away from me and I'm not inclined to pay more for shipping an item than the item costs. But, because you broke down for me the ingredients of their Cake Spice, I can certainly replicate it at home. Blessings to you for your help to me! :D
Selina
December 30, 2016
So, I had to post a thank you for this, since I needed a simple, yet festive dessert for Christmas Eve dinner with my Dad and his culinarily stunted girlfriend. Since I was already doing the entire dinner, I really had no patience for fiddly recipes this year. I managed to whip this up in about 20 min. prep time, (never having done struesel before,) and it was perfect. Thanks for saving me the headache of a fancy Christmas dessert!
Bobby I.
April 17, 2016
Easy cake to make. Lots of compliments from those at lunch. Just less sugar next time as it was a bit too sweet.
Linda M.
April 13, 2016
Hi! Your cake sounds wonderful and I can't wait to try it, but I just have a question first. Not sure if I should assume this, but does the strained orange puree get combined with the puree mixed with the eggs and vanilla before adding it to the cake batter? Thanks!
hardlikearmour
April 13, 2016
Nope. The juice goes in the icing, and the pulp is discarded. It may work to add it to the batter, but I've not tried.
Regine
March 17, 2016
It is called the two stage method and I agree with Hardlikearmor. It does make cake more tender and makes texture more fine grained.
Beth
March 16, 2016
I was surprised to read that you mix the softened butter directly with the flour and sugar, without creaming the butter and sugar together first. Any ideas about why this works?
hardlikearmour
March 16, 2016
It's the way Rose Levy Beranbaum mixes many of her cakes. The ultimate purpose is to get a more tender cake. By combining the fat, flour, and just a small amount of liquid, the fat molecules can coat some of the gluten-producing proteins in the flour which prevents them from interacting with water so there is less gluten formation.
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