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Whole Orange Poppy Seed Bundt Cake topped with orange glaze and fresh orange slices, ready to serve on a bright white plate.

Orange Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

A light, fluffy Bundt cake bursting with orange flavor and buttermilk-soaked poppy seeds, draped in an orange cream cheese frosting. Lovely for brunch or afternoon tea.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Soaking & cooling 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 16 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3 Tbsp poppy seeds
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp orange extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Orange cream cheese frosting
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice or zest optional, for extra orange flavor
  • orange slices for decorating, optional

Method
 

Cake
  1. Stir the poppy seeds into the buttermilk and let soak 30 minutes.
  2. Whisk the flour, salt and baking powder together; set aside.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a Bundt pan with shortening or cooking spray.
  4. In a stand mixer with the paddle, beat the sugar and oil on medium. Add the eggs one at a time.
  5. On medium-low, mix in the orange juice, orange extract and vanilla.
  6. Add the flour mixture in thirds, alternating with the poppy seed buttermilk, folding gently by hand with a spatula. Do not overmix.
  7. Pour into the pan and bake about 1 hour, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan at least 30 minutes before inverting, then cool completely.
Frosting
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until light and cloud-like. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, beating well. Add orange juice or zest for more orange flavor (and to thin for drizzling).
  2. Drizzle over the completely cooled cake, letting it run down the sides. Decorate with orange slices.

Notes

Look for poppy seeds and orange extract in the spice/baking aisle. A Nordic Ware pan makes a beautiful cake.