Easy Steamed Orange Cake Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm steamed cake, especially one infused with bright citrus fragrance. This soft and lightly chewy (also lightly fluffy) Mandarin Orange Steamed Cake is delicious and naturally aromatic from fresh juice and zest. It’s lighter than traditional butter cakes, lower in sugar, and pairs beautifully with a cup of tea.

This version is special because it doesn’t require any egg white whipping or complicated folding. Be assured that the yeast will do the folding for you!

Why You Will Love This Cake

Fresh mandarin juice and zest for natural and bright citrus aroma
Lower in sugar and lighter texture
Beginner friendly (no meringue, or any tricky folding)
Soft crumb wtih gentle chew from yeast fermentation

I like that the yeast gives the cake a stable rise, while a touch of baking powder adds that final lift during steaming.

This is also much healthier than most of the cakes you can find out there. For those who’ve enjoyed my healthier Steamed Pandan Cake recipe, I am confident this recipe is for you too, alongside those with lots of leftover mandarin oranges or orange juice.

Additionally, consider brushing and glazing with additional or even leftover orange juice for an extra flavour boost.

This soft Mandarin Orange Steamed Cake is proof that steamed bakes can be just as satisfying. The yeast method makes it approachable and forgiving especially for beginners.

Slice, glaze, pour a cup of tea. Without further ado, the recipe!

Easy Steamed Orange Cake Recipe
by Javier Tan February-18-2026

This easy Steamed Orange Cake is lightly soft, fluffy with a gentle chew. Each bite comes with a nice citrusy aroma too!

Ingredients

1/3 Cup or 80ml of Orange Juice (I used fresh Mandarin Orange)
Approx 1 tsp of Orange Zest
1/2 Cup or 120ml of Low-Fat Evaporated Milk
4 Large Eggs, weigh inclusive of shell is at approx. 60g each
1 Tsp or 5ml of Cooking Oil
1 and 1/3 Cup or 160g of Plain Flour, sifted
2 Tbsp or 30g of White Sugar (You can use more if you like sweeter cakes)
2 Tsp or 6g of Instant Dry Yeast
(Added last) 1 Tsp or 4g of Baking Powder
(Optional) Additional orange juice for brushing finished cake

Instructions

In large mixing bowl, all together the orange juice, zest, milk, eggs and cooking oil until well combined.
Then, whisk in the flour, sugar and yeast. Cling wrap and let the batter ferment for approx 2 hours until doubled in size.
Right before unwrapping, prepare the steamer to go at high heat and line baking tray base with parchment paper.
Unwrap the mixing bowl, whisk in the baking powder approx 1 – 2 minutes, and transfer batter to a 4 inch round baking tray.
Note: I recommend multiple smaller baking trays e.g. ramekins if you’ve them.
Steam at high heat for approx 5 mins, and then reduce to medium high heat for an additional 35 minutes until nicely risen. Leave it within the steamer for 10 minutes before removing.
Thereafter, brush the top of the finished cake with orange juice. I like to garnish mine with orange jam and cherries.
Serve and enjoy!

Details

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Yield: 1 Delightful Healthier Steamed Orange Cake

Notes:

If you would like to be updated for more recipes which I strive to create to perfection for sharing and for free, do check out my Instagram, Facebook Page, or YouTube 🙂 Thank you so much for all of your support! Feel free to tag me or link back here!
Best served and consumed within the first 2 days, or refrigerate for consumption.
Feel free to ask if you’ve further questions!

Enjoy!
– Bakeomaniac, Javier Tan