Orange Layer Cake -

Orange Layer Cake

This tender, flavorful orange layer cake is made with fresh orange juice and zest and is frosted with a tangy orange cream cheese icing.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 612kcal

Author Ann Otis

Ingredients

Cake

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup whole milk room temperature
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice from about 2 oranges

Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
8 oz cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons orange zest
4 cups icing sugar (confectioner's or powdered sugar)*

Instructions

Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 8-inch cake pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, oil and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
To the stand mixer bowl, add the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and orange zest. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a measuring cup, combine the milk and orange juice.
With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and milk/OJ mixture, in 3 instalments each, beating until JUST combined (do not over beat).
Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and give it a good stir with a rubber spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the layers to cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes and turn them over onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Frosting

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
Add the confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is smooth and creamy. If you think it is too soft, put the bowl in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up.
Place one cake layer on a plate or turntable, and using an offset spatula, frost the top with about 1 cup of frosting. Place the second layer upside down on top and frost the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with orange slices if desired.

Video

Notes

Due to the fresh ingredients used in the frosting, and because cream cheese frosting has a tendency to get soft at room temperature, this cake is best stored in the refrigerator. Take it out 15 minutes or so before serving.

*Note on frosting sweetness: If you prefer a frosting that is less sweet, you can reduce the sugar by up to half (some have had success with using only 1 cup!). The frosting will be softer, but refrigerating it for a while will help it firm up. If it is still too soft, up to a half cup of cornstarch may be added to help thicken it.

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