Famous 12-Spoon Orange Cake – Easy No-Scale 5-Minute Recipe

This Famous 12-Spoon Orange Cake is a wonderfully soft, moist, and aromatic homemade cake that requires no kitchen scale. With its easy tablespoon measuring method, fresh orange juice, fragrant orange zest, and a touch of coconut, it’s a simple recipe that delivers plenty of fresh citrus flavor.

The secret to its convenience is the memorable 12-spoon formula. Sugar, oil, milk, and flour are all measured using tablespoons, so there’s no need to weigh the main ingredients.

 

Fresh orange zest and the juice of 1 orange give the cake its bright, sunny flavor, while 1 tablespoon of coconut flakes sprinkled on top just before baking adds a subtle tropical touch.

The batter takes only about 5 minutes to prepare. Pour it into a 27 × 18 cm baking dish, add the coconut, and bake until beautifully golden and tender.

Perfect for coffee, tea, family gatherings, or a simple afternoon dessert, this easy orange cake is a recipe worth keeping.

 

Ingredients

For the 12-Spoon Orange Cake

• 3 eggs
• 12 tablespoons sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Some vanilla
• 12 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 tablespoons milk
• Zest of 1 orange
• Juice of 1 orange
• 12 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder

For the Topping

• 1 tablespoon coconut flakes

How to Make the Famous 12-Spoon Orange Cake

 

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F).

Prepare a 27 × 18 cm baking dish by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper as appropriate.

Set the prepared dish aside while you make the batter.

2. Prepare the Orange

Wash and dry the orange thoroughly.

Finely grate the colored outer peel to obtain the zest of 1 orange.

Avoid grating deeply into the white pith underneath, as it can taste bitter.

Then squeeze the juice of 1 orange and set it aside.

3. Mix the Eggs and Sugar

Crack 3 eggs into a large mixing bowl.

Add 12 tablespoons sugar, a pinch of salt, and some vanilla.

Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly lighter in color.

 

4. Add the Oil

Pour in 12 tablespoons vegetable oil.

Continue whisking until the oil is completely incorporated.

The oil contributes moisture and helps give the finished orange cake a soft, tender crumb.

5. Add the Milk

Pour in 12 tablespoons milk.

Mix gently until the wet ingredients are smooth and evenly combined.

 

6. Add the Fresh Orange

Add the zest of 1 orange followed by the juice of 1 orange.

Stir until both are evenly incorporated.

Using both juice and zest gives the cake a fuller citrus character. The juice contributes fresh flavor and moisture, while the zest provides an especially fragrant orange aroma.

7. Add the First Half of the Flour

The recipe uses 12 tablespoons flour in total, and the flour should be added in two parts.

Add approximately half of the flour along with part of the 1 tablespoon baking powder.

Gently mix until partially incorporated.

 

8. Add the Remaining Flour

Add the remaining flour and baking powder.

Mix gently until the batter becomes smooth and there are no visible pockets of dry flour.

Avoid overmixing once the flour has been added. Stop as soon as the ingredients are properly combined.

9. Transfer the Batter to the Baking Dish

Pour the prepared orange batter into the 27 × 18 cm baking dish.

Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly and smooth the surface.

10. Add the Coconut Flakes

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon coconut flakes evenly over the surface of the cake batter.

The coconut goes on before baking, creating a subtle coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with the fresh orange.

 

11. Bake

Place the cake in the preheated oven.

Bake at 175°C (347°F) for approximately 35–40 minutes.

The cake should rise and develop a beautiful baked surface while remaining soft and moist inside.

To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the center.

It should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.

Since ovens can vary, begin checking around the 35-minute mark.

12. Cool and Serve

Remove the finished orange cake from the oven.

Allow it to cool in the baking dish for a while before slicing.

Once it has cooled to your preferred serving temperature, cut into squares or rectangular slices.

Serve on its own or alongside your favorite coffee or tea.

 

Tips for the Best 12-Spoon Orange Cake

Use the same tablespoon: Because this is a no-scale recipe, measure the spoon-based ingredients consistently with the same tablespoon.

Use a fresh orange: Fresh juice and zest provide the brightest citrus flavor.

Avoid the white pith: When zesting the orange, remove only the colored outer peel.

Add the flour in two parts: Follow the original method rather than adding all 12 tablespoons at once.

Don’t overmix: After adding the flour, mix only until everything is incorporated.

Add the coconut before baking: The 1 tablespoon coconut flakes is sprinkled over the batter just before it goes into the oven.

Preheat the oven: Make sure the oven reaches 175°C (347°F) before baking.

Check near 35 minutes: Oven performance varies, so check for doneness before automatically extending the baking time.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The memorable 12-spoon formula is what makes this orange cake particularly convenient.

You need:

• 12 tablespoons sugar
• 12 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 tablespoons milk
• 12 tablespoons flour

This means you can prepare the main batter without weighing those ingredients on a kitchen scale.

The recipe also uses 3 eggs, the zest and juice of 1 orange, vanilla, and baking powder, keeping the ingredient list simple.

A tablespoon of coconut flakes provides the final touch before baking.

The result is a straightforward homemade cake with fresh citrus flavor and a soft, moist texture.

Why Use Both Orange Juice and Zest?

Fresh orange juice and zest contribute different elements to the cake.

The juice of 1 orange adds moisture and fresh citrus flavor.

The zest of 1 orange contains fragrant natural oils that create a stronger orange aroma.

Together, they provide a fuller orange flavor without requiring complicated additional ingredients.

 

Serving Suggestions

This 12-spoon orange cake is delicious served on its own or paired with:

• Freshly brewed coffee
• Black or herbal tea
• A cold glass of milk
• Fresh orange slices
• Plain or Greek yogurt
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream
• Fresh berries
• Extra coconut flakes

For a simple afternoon treat, serve the cake at room temperature with coffee or tea.

How to Store Orange Cake

Allow the cake to cool completely before storing.

Keep leftover slices in an airtight container or cover the entire cake well to prevent it from drying out.

For longer storage, keep it covered in the refrigerator.

If refrigerated, allow individual slices to sit briefly at room temperature before serving if you prefer a softer texture.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a 12-spoon orange cake?

The recipe uses the same easy measurement for four main ingredients: 12 tablespoons each of sugar, oil, milk, and flour.

Do I need a kitchen scale?

No kitchen scale is required for the main spoon-measured ingredients.

The recipe is specifically designed around tablespoon measurements.

Does the cake really take 5 minutes?

The 5 minutes refers to the approximate preparation time for the batter.

After preparation, the cake needs to bake at 175°C (347°F) for approximately 35–40 minutes.

How much orange do I need?

You need the zest of 1 orange and juice of 1 orange.

Why should I add the flour in two parts?

The original recipe specifically calls for adding the 12 tablespoons flour in two stages, which makes it easier to incorporate gradually into the wet mixture.

 

How much coconut do I need?

Use exactly 1 tablespoon coconut flakes.

When do I add the coconut flakes?

Sprinkle the coconut flakes over the cake batter just before baking.

What size baking dish should I use?

Use a 27 × 18 cm baking dish.

What temperature should I use?

Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 175°C (347°F).

How long should I bake the cake?

Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes, checking the center near the end of the baking time.

 

Final Thoughts

This Famous 12-Spoon Orange Cake is a simple no-scale recipe that combines fresh citrus flavor with an easy-to-remember measuring method.

Made with 12 tablespoons each of sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and flour, plus 3 eggs, fresh orange juice and zest, vanilla, baking powder, and coconut flakes, the batter takes only about 5 minutes to prepare.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon coconut flakes over the top, then bake in a 27 × 18 cm baking dish at 175°C (347°F) for 35–40 minutes.

The result is an easy, soft, moist, and aromatic orange cake that’s perfect for coffee, tea, or a simple homemade dessert.