Orange and Red Berries Cake

Orange and Red Berries Cake is a easy French recipe that serves 8. 425 calories per serving. Recipe by Pankaj Sharma on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 39 min | Total: 1 hr 14 min

Cost: $8.95 total, $1.12 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 unités Oranges (zest and juice)
  • 240 g All-purpose flour (sift before use)
  • 240 g Granulated sugar
  • 4 unités Eggs (large, at room temperature)
  • 150 g Unsalted butter (softened, not melted)
  • 1 cuillère à café Baking powder
  • 125 g Mixed red berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 3 cuillères à soupe Sugar for the syrup (about 45 g)

Instructions

  1. Zest and squeeze the oranges

    Finely grate the zest of two oranges, avoiding the white part. Then squeeze the oranges to collect the juice.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Soften the butter

    Leave the butter at room temperature until it is pliable but not melted.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Cream the butter and sugar

    In the bowl, whisk the softened butter with the granulated sugar until you obtain a pale and airy mixture.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Incorporate the eggs

    Add the eggs two at a time, beating well between each addition so the batter remains homogeneous.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Add baking powder, zest and flour

    Fold in the baking powder, the reserved orange zest, and the sifted flour. Mix gently with the spatula.

    Time: PT3M

  6. Pour the orange juice

    Add the orange juice gradually while mixing until you obtain a smooth batter.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Prepare the pan and add the fruit

    Line the pan with parchment paper, pour in the batter and sprinkle the red berries over the top.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Bake

    Bake the cake at 180°C for 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer: it should come out dry.

    Time: PT35M

    Temperature: 180°C

  9. Prepare the orange syrup

    In a small saucepan, combine the remaining orange juice, the reserved zest and the sugar. Cook over medium heat for 4 minutes until slightly thickened.

    Time: PT4M

  10. Drizzle the cake with syrup

    Remove the cake from the oven, lightly pierce it with a fork and pour the hot syrup evenly over the entire surface.

    Time: PT2M

  11. Unmold and serve

    Let the cake warm for a few minutes, then unmold and serve it still warm or at room temperature.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
425
Protein
4 g
Carbohydrates
43 g
Fat
18 g
Fiber
0.5 g

Dietary info: vegetarian

Allergens: gluten, eggs, milk

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of Oranges: Mandarin, Clementine
  • Instead of All-purpose flour: Cake flour, Whole wheat flour
  • Instead of Granulated sugar: Cane sugar, Coconut sugar
  • Instead of Eggs: Organic chicken eggs, Duck eggs
  • Instead of Unsalted butter: Margarine, Nut butter
  • Instead of Baking powder: Baking soda + vinegar
  • Instead of Mixed red berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries): Frozen red berries, Red berry compote
  • Instead of Sugar for the syrup: Honey, Maple syrup

Equipment Needed

  • Fine zester or grater
  • Citrus press or fork
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk (or electric mixer)
  • Small saucepan
  • 20 cm cake pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Oven
  • Spatula or wooden spoon (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Zest the oranges without reaching the bitter white part
  • Bake the cake: check doneness with a skewer
  • Prepare the syrup without burning it
  • Drizzle the cake immediately after baking for good absorption

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Use organic oranges for a more pronounced aroma.
  • Add a pinch of salt to the batter to balance the sweetness.
  • For extra glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little orange juice.

Troubleshooting

The cake is too dense

Check that the butter was at room temperature and that the flour was sifted. Do not overmix the batter.

The syrup does not absorb

Pierce the cake with a fork immediately after removing from the oven and pour the still‑hot syrup.

The red berries sink to the center

Distribute the fruit over the entire surface and press lightly to coat them with batter.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the cake covered for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month.

Room temperature: At room temperature, the cake stays fresh for 1 day.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • The cake can be baked the day before; gently reheat before serving.
  • Prepare the syrup ahead of time and keep it refrigerated, reheat before drizzling.

Last updated: September 6, 2026

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Orange and Red Berries Cake

Recipe by Pankaj Sharma

A moist orange cake flavored with zest, topped with red berries and drizzled with a homemade orange syrup. Ideal for a snack or a light dessert, it is ready in less than an hour and a half.

EasyFrenchServes 8

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Source Video
28m
Prep
39m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 17m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$8.95
Total cost
$1.12
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Zest the oranges without reaching the bitter white part
  • • Bake the cake: check doneness with a skewer
  • • Prepare the syrup without burning it
  • • Drizzle the cake immediately after baking for good absorption

Safety Warnings

  • • Handle the hot syrup with care to avoid burns.
  • • Use kitchen gloves or a protective sleeve when handling the hot pan.