French yogurt cake is a great way to use up the yogurt that is hanging out in your fridge. It’s so simple, made with ingredients you probably already have, and bright and fresh with citrus flavors! Yogurt, eggs, oil, sugar, flour, citrus, and powdered sugar – that’s all you need to make this super-simple cake! I always seem to have a half-eaten tub of yogurt and some on-the-brink citrus (lemons, limes, clementines…you name it, I have it) in the fridge and this is the perfect way to use them up!
If you had asked me ten years ago if France was in my travel plans, I would have told you definitively NO. Not that I had anything against France, but for some reason I just wasn’t interested. Then I met Julia Child, first in cooking show documentaries, then in the movie Julie and Julia (BTW, I loved the movie and hated the book), then in her first masterpiece, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, of which I found a 1968 copy for $6.95 in my favorite (now defunct) used bookstore. 
Suddenly, France was on my to-do list. If for no other reason than food alone, France is my #1 European wish-list destination. Philip and I are currently planning a trip for 2021 (our 20 year!!! anniversary) and I am learning (sort of) to speak French using the website Duolingo. And reading as many books about French food culture as I can get my hands on.
According to many of the books that I have read, French children eat very differently from American children in that they are taught from an early age to eat a variety of foods, to eat what the adults eat, and to value mealtimes as an important ritual. This is a lost part of our culture, and I will admit to being just as guilty as the next person of not being super-observant of mealtime rituals.
Supposedly, French yogurt cake is one of the first recipes that French children learn to make. With simple measurements made by using a yogurt jar, it’s outrageously simple to make. Mine uses good old American-style measuring cups, but with just a handful of ingredients it’s every bit as simple. My recipe is adapted from the website Orangette by Molly Wizenberg.
Click HERE for the syrup and glaze recipes.
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Tangerine Yogurt Cake
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 nine-inch cake 1x
Description
This French-inspired tangerine yogurt cake is a simple, moist, and citrusy delight, perfect for using up leftover yogurt and citrus fruits.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (full-fat plain Greek yogurt recommended)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons citrus zest (such as tangerine, lemon, or lime)
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- Butter, for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a nine-inch round cake pan, line it with parchment paper, and butter the parchment paper as well.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 3 large eggs. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- In another bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Stir in 2 teaspoons of citrus zest.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in 1/2 cup of canola oil until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
This cake is a great way to use up leftover yogurt and citrus fruits. It can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For a more intense citrus flavor, consider adding a citrus glaze or syrup after baking. The cake is traditionally one of the first recipes French children learn to make, highlighting its simplicity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 55
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the tangerines with other citrus fruits?
Yes, you can use other citrus fruits like lemons, limes, or clementines in place of tangerines for a similar flavor profile.
What type of yogurt works best for this cake?
Plain yogurt is recommended for this recipe, but you can also use Greek yogurt for a thicker texture.
How do I ensure the cake stays moist throughout baking?
Make sure not to overmix the batter and check for doneness a few minutes before the suggested baking time to avoid dryness.
