7-Jar Orange Cake: the Super-Soft Cake Without a Scale!:
If you’re looking for a cake that can be prepared in 5 minutes and fills the whole house with fragrance, the 7-Jar Orange Cake is the recipe for you.
No scale needed: we’ll use the yogurt jar as the measuring unit!
It is the ultimate “breakfast-saver” cake — incredibly soft and fragrant, perfect for those with little time who don’t want to give up something wholesome.
Compared to the classic version, I’ve added a small trick to make it even more moist and aromatic.
Read the steps carefully, because the secret is all in how we use the orange juice!
Discover also:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 10 Days
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Cooking time: 40 Minutes
- Portions: 10
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Spring, Autumn
- Energy 4.30 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 1.19 (g) of which sugars 0.23 (g)
- Proteins 0.04 (g)
- Fat 0.11 (g) of which saturated 0.01 (g)of which unsaturated 0.09 (g)
- Fibers 0.04 (g)
- Sodium 40.26 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 85 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for the 7-Jar Orange Cake
For this 7-Jar Orange Cake you’ll only need simple ingredients, the kind we almost always have in the pantry. The absolute star is the yogurt: don’t throw away the jar because it will guide you as the measuring cup without needing a scale! Just make sure the oranges are organic, because we’ll use all their aroma, from zest to juice.
- 1 yogurt jar (≈ 1/2 cup) yogurt (plain or citrus)
- 2 yogurt jars (≈ 1 cup) granulated sugar
- 3 yogurt jars (≈ 1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour (00)
- 1 yogurt jar (≈ 1/2 cup) sunflower oil
- 1 orange (organic, grated zest and half the juice)
- 1 sachet (≈ 16 g / ~1 tbsp) baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
Nutritional Information (Estimate per serving)
Calories: 240 kcal
Details: rich in vitamin C thanks to the fresh orange.
Tools
For this recipe you don’t need a scale, just these simple tools you already have in the kitchen.
- 1 Hand mixer electric hand mixer
- 1 Pan cake pan 9–9.5 in
- 1 Zester zester for citrus peel
Once you have prepared the jar and the hand mixer, we’re ready to start! The secret to getting this cake tall and soft as a cloud isn’t only in the ingredients, but in patience: spend a few extra minutes whipping the eggs with the sugar until they become pale and frothy. You’ll see the difference it makes to the final texture!
Preheat the oven to 356°F and let’s prepare the most fragrant batter of the week.
How to prepare the 7-Jar Cake without a scale
Follow this exact order to achieve perfect crumb structure and incredible softness.
1. Empty the yogurt jar: Start by emptying the yogurt jar into a small bowl: wash and dry it well, because it will be your measuring cup.
2. Whip the eggs and 2 jars of sugar: In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and the salt for at least 5–6 minutes. The more you whip, the more the cake will be “cloud-like”.
3. Add the liquids: Slowly pour 1 jar of sunflower oil, the yogurt and the half-jar of filtered orange yogurt (or half jar of yogurt plus the orange juice as described). Also add the grated zest (only the orange part!).
4. The dry ingredients: Combine the 3 jars of flour and the baking powder, sifted.
Fold gently to avoid deflating the mixture.
5. Bake: Pour into a greased and floured cake pan (9–9.5 in). Bake in a conventional oven at 356°F for about 35–40 minutes. Always do the toothpick test!
Here is the 7-Jar Orange Cake! As you have seen, the result is a golden cloud that smells like home and good things. My extra tip? Wait until it is completely cool before dusting with powdered sugar: that way the sugar will settle and the cake will stay beautiful to look at, just like a bakery cake.
Let me know in the comments if you liked this “no-scale” version or if you’ve added any personal twist, like a pinch of cinnamon or chocolate chips!
Storage, tips, variations, notes
Variation: Try substituting the orange with lemon or mandarin for a different flavor.
Note: Make sure the eggs are at room temperature so they whip better.
Extra touch: Dust with powdered sugar only when the cake is completely cool. A dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon is top-notch!
“Want an equally indulgent alternative? Try the Peach Upside-Down Cake with Syrup. It’s perfect if you want a moist and showy cake that comes together in no time, just like this 7-jar cake!”
How to make the super-soft 7-Jar Orange Cake
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Do you have doubts about the result? Here are answers to the most common questions for a perfect cake.
Can I use Greek yogurt?
Yes, but add one tablespoon of milk to make the batter looser.
Can I replace the oil?
Yes, with 120 g (about 1/2 cup) of melted butter, but with oil it stays soft for longer.
How should I store it?
Under a glass dome for 3–4 days.
I hope this recipe helps you bring a smile to the table!
