Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist bundt cake infused with bright orange zest, warm cardamom, and crunchy poppy seeds, topped with a zesty citrus glaze. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers (312g) all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 12 American cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-cup bundt pan thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 2 tbsp fresh orange zest and 1 tsp ground cardamom until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately add the flour mixture and 1 cup milk in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3 tbsp poppy seeds until evenly combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Step 8: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Step 9: For the glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 3 tbsp fresh orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Orange Cardamom Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze?

American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.