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This Orange Cake is bursting with zesty citrus flavor, topped with a creamy orange frosting that’s the perfect finishing touch! It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering or just as a sweet treat to enjoy on your own!
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Orange Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

This Orange Cake is bursting with zesty citrus flavor, topped with a creamy orange frosting that’s the perfect finishing touch! It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering or just as a sweet treat to enjoy on your own!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cake, Orange Cake
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12

Ingredients

Cake

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

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2.5 cups icing sugar confectioner's or powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tsps orange zest

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil, and sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, and orange zest, and beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • In a separate measuring cup, combine the milk and orange juice.
  • With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and milk/juice mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined—avoid overmixing.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15-20 minutes before turning them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Frosting

  • In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the icing sugar and cornstarch, breaking up any large lumps.
  • In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Then, add the vanilla extract and orange zest, and mix until combined.
  • Gradually add the icing sugar mixture, one cup at a time, beating after each addition until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
  • Place one layer of the cake on a plate or turntable, and spread about 1 cup of frosting on top using an offset spatula. Place the second cake layer upside down on top and frost the top and sides of the cake. If desired, decorate with orange slices.

Notes

  • Because of the fresh ingredients in the frosting and the tendency of cream cheese frosting to soften at room temperature, it’s best to store this cake in the refrigerator. Be sure to take it out about an hour before serving.