Grandma’s Irresistible Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake

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By Gianna Poulef

Orange Creamsicle Loaf

Thank you for being here, my friend! Today, I’m so thrilled to share a recipe close to my heart—Grandma’s Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake. Every bite brings back memories of hot summer afternoons at her kitchen table, where the scent of fresh oranges mingled with vanilla sweetness. This loaf is tender, citrusy, and downright dreamy—like a nostalgic creamsicle in cake form!

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Overview of Recipe Content

This Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake is the perfect treat for spring gatherings, Easter brunch, or just as a cozy weekend bake. Think soft, buttery crumb infused with orange zest and juice, balanced with creamy richness from sour cream. It’s sunshine in a slice!

Why you’ll love it:

  • Bright, citrusy flavor with a hint of nostalgia.
  • Easy to make with pantry staples.
  • Perfect for brunch, teatime, or a sweet gift.

Taste: Imagine biting into a tender vanilla cake with refreshing bursts of orange—sweet, tangy, and perfectly moist.

Nutritional perks: Fresh orange juice and zest add Vitamin C while keeping it light and refreshing.

Ingredients You’ll Need (for the loaf cake):

This Now, Make It Later!
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Tools Needed:

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Loaf pan (8×4-inch works great)
  • Zester and juicer
  • Cooling rack

Substitutions:

  • Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt.
  • Use lemon juice and zest for a citrus twist.
  • Add a vanilla glaze or orange icing on top for extra indulgence.

How to Make Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake

  1. Preheat & Prepare: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your loaf pan.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in sour cream, orange juice, and zest. The aroma at this step is heavenly!
  6. Combine: Gently fold in dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix.
  7. Bake: Pour into loaf pan and bake 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool: Let rest in pan 10 minutes, then cool fully on a rack before slicing.

What to Serve with Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake

This loaf pairs beautifully with:

  • A cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea.
  • Fresh berries on the side.
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert-style serving.

Tips for Making It Perfect

  • Room-temp ingredients ensure a smooth batter.
  • Do not overmix—this keeps the loaf tender.
  • Add a vanilla glaze drizzle for bakery-style presentation.
  • Wrap in foil and keep overnight—flavor intensifies by day two!

Storage Instructions

  • Room temperature: Store tightly wrapped up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Slice and freeze up to 2 months. Wrap slices individually for easy grab-and-go treats.

General Information

The Orange Creamsicle flavor harks back to the classic frozen treat popularized in the 1930s. Grandma adored those popsicles, and this cake was her way of recreating them year-round—without the brain freeze!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this loaf ahead of time?
Yes, bake a day in advance and wrap well—the flavor actually improves overnight.

2. Can I add glaze?
Absolutely! A simple orange juice + powdered sugar glaze works wonders.

3. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use two loaf pans and bake simultaneously.

4. Can I make muffins instead?
Yes, divide batter into muffin tins and bake 18–20 minutes.

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Conclusion

This Grandma’s Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake is soft, citrusy, and pure joy in every slice. Whether you serve it for brunch, dessert, or just because—it’s a recipe that warms the heart as much as the tastebuds.

If you loved this, try these other citrus and loaf recipes from my kitchen:

Interactive Elements

I’d love to see your baking magic! ⭐

  • Leave a comment & review below if you make this loaf.
  • Share a photo on Pinterest @poulefrecipe or tag me on Instagram!

Nutritional Information (per slice, 10 servings)

CaloriesProteinCarbsSugarFatSaturated FatFiberSodium
2304g28g16g11g6g1g150mg
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Grandma’s Irresistible Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake


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  • Author: Poulef
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Grandma-inspired Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake is moist, citrusy, and nostalgic. Fresh orange juice, zest, and a tender crumb make it perfect for brunch, dessert, or snacking!


Ingredients

Scale

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

⅓ cup sour cream

¼ cup orange juice

1 teaspoon orange zest


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.

3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Mix in sour cream, orange juice, and zest until smooth.

6. Fold in dry ingredients gently until just combined—do not overmix.

7. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

8. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Best enjoyed the next day as flavors deepen.

Optional: drizzle with an orange glaze (powdered sugar + orange juice) for extra sweetness.

Can be baked into muffins (18–20 minutes bake time).

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Brunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 16g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg
Grandma’s Irresistible Orange Creamsicle Loaf Cake
Gianna Poulef
CEO, Chef & Recipe Creator at BLYNO LLC | Website

I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.

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