Bolo de Laranja: The Brazilian Orange Cake That Warms the Soul
From My Family’s Kitchen to Yours, A Classic Brazilian Dessert
Breakfast in Brazil might just be my favorite meal of the day. It’s a delightful spread that always includes fresh bread, plenty of fruit, a form of protein like eggs or deli meat and cheese, and, of course, cake. But Brazilian cakes are not like the ones we’re used to in the U.S., covered in frosting and overly sweet. Instead, they’re light, fresh, and subtly sweet – the perfect companion to start your morning.
My absolute favorite cake to enjoy at breakfast is Bolo de Laranja (orange cake). It’s moist, fragrant, and pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.
One of the best parts about making Brazilian cakes is how simple they are to prepare. Most recipes, like this one, use a blender to mix the batter, making the process quick, straightforward, and foolproof – perfect for busy mornings or when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want the fuss.
During our last visit to Brazil, we asked my husband’s grandmother to handwrite some of her traditional recipes for us to bring back home. The recipe above is hers! There’s something so special about preserving family traditions through handwritten recipes – they carry not only the instructions but also the love and history of the people who passed them down. It’s a tradition I hope to continue and share with future generations.
Bolo de Laranja:
3 fresh oranges
2 large eggs
1 cup of oil (I used avocado oil but any neutral oil works)
1 1/2 cups of sugar + 2 tablespoons of sugar (for glaze)
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
Directions:
Prepare Your Oranges
Juice 2 oranges and pour the juice into a blender. Set aside the third orange for the glaze.
Blend the Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs, oil, and 1 ½ cups of sugar to the blender with the orange juice. Blend until smooth and fully combined.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Add the flour to the blender and mix until the batter is smooth.
Finally, add the baking powder and blend again briefly to ensure it's evenly distributed.
Prepare Your Pan
Generously grease a bundt cake pan to prevent sticking.
Pour the batter evenly into the pan, smoothing the top with a spatula if needed.
Bake the Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you haven’t already.
Bake the cake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before carefully removing it.
Make the orange glaze
Juice the third orange and pour it into a small saucepan.
Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the orange juice and place the pan over medium heat.
Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and the glaze thickens slightly. Use as much of the orange juice as you prefer, depending on how much glaze you want.
Finish and Serve
Once the cake is cool and removed from the pan, drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the top.
The glaze adds a burst of citrus flavor and keeps the cake deliciously moist.
Want to see this delicious cake come to life? Head over to my Instagram or TikTok to watch a step-by-step video of me making this Bolo de Laranja! If you give the recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out – share your thoughts or tag me in your creations!