Sicilian Whole Orange Cake: the recipe for the soft and fragrant Italian pan d’arancio

Sicilian whole orange cake, also called pan d'arancio in Italian, is a typical sweet dessert recipe of the Sicilian gastronomic tradition. It is a soft, citrusy cake with a beautiful moist, dense texture. It is made by blending both the pulp and the peel of the orange, a winter fruit that is rich in beneficial properties.

Easy to make, Sicilian whole orange cake can be prepared in a few minutes and, once baked, it will release a truly irresistible fragrance.

The result is a soft and delicious sweet, perfect for breakfast, snack time or as a dessert at the end of a meal. For its preparation you must use the whole fruit, including the peel; that is why it is important to use organic and not chemically treated oranges.

So let’s find out how to make Sicilian whole orange cake by following our recipe step by step.

Tips for making Italian Whole Orange Cake

Instead of vegetable oil, you can use an extra virgin olive oil with a sweet and delicate taste.

For a richer cake, you can add dark chocolate chips or raisins to the mixture.

On the surface, on the other hand, for a crunchier top, try adding almond flakes, pecans or hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped.

For a gluten-free variant, you can replace the all purpose flour with brown rice flour.

You can decorate this whole orange cake with a sweet glaze.

If you prefer, you can also add spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla or cardamom seeds.

You can replace the granulated sugar with brown sugar or with erythritol.

How to store Sicilian Whole Orange Cake

The Sicilian whole orange cake can be stored under a glass bell jar at room temperature for about 4-5 days. Remove it from the fridge one hour before serving.

Can you freeze Whole Orange Cake?

Yes! You can freeze it for a month, closed in an airtight container.

How to make Sicilian whole orange cake

Cut the oranges into wedges after washing and drying them well 1. Remove all the seeds.

Transfer the oranges to a stand mixer and make a cream 2.

Pour the orange cream into a bowl 3.

Add the eggs beaten separately in a small bowl 4.

Add the granulated sugar 5.

Add the sifted flour and potato starch 6.

Start mixing with a whisk 7.

At this point, pour in the vegetable oil and milk, and continue to mix 8.

Finally, add the vanilla yeast for desserts and a pinch of salt 9.

Mix again until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous 10.

Pour the mixture into a well oiled 24 centimeters diameter cake pan 11.

Bake the Sicilian whole orange cake in the oven at 180° C (356° F) for about 50 minutes 12.

Once baked, take the Sicilian whole orange cake out of the oven and let it cool. Then remove it from the cake pan and place it on a serving dish 13.

Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on the Sicilian whole orange cake 14.

Bring the Sicilian whole orange cake to the table and serve 15.