Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’re looking for a cake that brings sunshine to your table, then this Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is just what you need! This delightful dessert is soft, citrusy, and oh-so-flavorful. It’s perfect for family gatherings, celebrations, or even a cozy weeknight treat. Whenever I bake this cake, it feels like I’m sharing a piece of happiness with everyone around me.

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Whether it’s a birthday party or just a special dessert to brighten your day, this cake never fails to impress. Trust me; once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: This recipe comes together quickly and doesn’t require any fancy techniques.
• Family-Friendly Appeal: Everyone loves the bright flavor of orange, making it a hit with both kids and adults!
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Bake the cakes in advance and frost them just before serving for stress-free entertaining.
• Deliciously Moist: The combination of cream cheese and orange juice keeps the cake wonderfully moist.
• Stunning Presentation: The vibrant color and smooth frosting make it a showstopper on any dessert table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather some simple, wholesome ingredients to create this delicious Orange Velvet Cake. You may already have most of these items in your pantry!

For the Cake

• 8 oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1½ sticks (168g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 cups (342g) cake flour
• 2 teaspoons (8g) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (3g) baking soda
• ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
• ½ cup (120ml) milk
• ½ cup (120ml) concentrated orange juice, thawed (do not add water)
• ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil (e.g., canola oil)
• Zest from one orange (optional)
• 1 tablespoon orange extract
• Orange coloring gel (optional, for desired shade)

For the Frosting

• 3 sticks (339g) unsalted butter, softened
• 16 oz (452g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 7 cups (805g) powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
• Orange coloring gel (optional)

Variations

This recipe is quite flexible! Feel free to customize it based on your preferences.

• Add some spice: Mix in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm twist.
• Try different extracts: Experiment with lemon or lime extract for a refreshing change!
• Incorporate nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for extra crunch.
• Make it gluten-free: Substitute the cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.

How to Make Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans

Set your oven to 325°F (163°C). Greasing and flouring three 8-inch round cake pans ensures that our beautiful cakes come out easily after baking. Lining the bottoms with parchment paper helps too!

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps aerate the flour for a lighter cake texture. Set this mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the milk, thawed concentrated orange juice, vegetable oil, orange extract, and optional zest until well combined. This flavorful blend will infuse moisture into our cake!

Step 4: Cream Butter and Cheese

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial as it creates a light base that will give our cake its fluffy texture.

Step 5: Add Sugar and Eggs

Gradually add in the sugar while beating until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Then incorporate each egg one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This process helps build volume in our batter.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Now we’ll alternate adding our dry ingredients with the wet mixture into the creamed base. Start with one-third of the dry mixture followed by half of the wet mixture. Repeat until everything is mixed in but be careful not to overmix; we want those air bubbles intact!

Step 7: Add Color

If you’re using orange coloring gel, now’s your time to shine! Stir in enough gel to achieve your desired hue; just remember—less is more when it comes to food coloring!

Step 8: Bake

Divide the batter evenly among your prepared pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly during this time!

Step 9: Cool Down

Allow your cakes to cool in their pans for about 5-10 minutes before carefully turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely. Patience here will pay off when you frost later!

Now that you’ve prepped everything perfectly let’s look forward to frosting that gorgeous Orange Velvet Cake!

Pro Tips for Making Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Baking can be a delightful journey, and with these pro tips, your Orange Velvet Cake will turn out perfectly every time!

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures that everything blends together smoothly, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake.

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mixing just until combined helps to maintain the cake’s tender crumb. Overmixing can lead to a denser texture.

• Invest in Quality Ingredients: Freshly grated orange zest and high-quality vanilla extract can significantly enhance the flavor profile of your cake.

• Check Your Oven Temperature: Ovens can vary, so use an oven thermometer to ensure you’re baking at the correct temperature for optimal results.

• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Allowing your cakes to cool completely prevents the frosting from melting, ensuring a beautiful presentation.

How to Serve Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Serving your Orange Velvet Cake is just as important as baking it! Here are some delightful ideas for presenting this zesty treat that will impress your guests.

Garnishes

• Candied Orange Peel: These add a lovely sweetness and an appealing decorative touch.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: A few sprigs of mint provide a refreshing contrast and vibrant color against the orange.

Side Dishes

• Vanilla Ice Cream: The creaminess of vanilla ice cream complements the citrusy flavors perfectly, creating a delightful contrast.
• Citrus Salad: A fresh salad made with mixed citrus fruits adds brightness and balances the sweetness of the cake.
• Berry Compote: A warm berry compote drizzled over each slice gives an extra layer of flavor with its tartness, enhancing the overall experience.
• Whipped Coconut Cream: For a dairy-free option, whipped coconut cream is light, fluffy, and pairs beautifully with the rich cake.

With these serving suggestions and tips in hand, your Orange Velvet Cake will be not just a dessert but an experience to savor! Happy baking!

Make Ahead and Storage

This Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is perfect for meal prep! With its vibrant flavors and delightful texture, you can make it in advance and store it for future enjoyment.

Storing Leftovers

• Allow the cake to cool completely before storing.
• Place leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate the cake. It will stay fresh for about a week.

Freezing

• To freeze the cake, wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• For frosted cake, place it in the freezer for 1 hour to harden the frosting before wrapping.

Reheating

• Thaw frozen layers overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• If desired, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Here are some common questions that may help you with your baking journey!

Can I use a different frosting instead of orange cream cheese frosting?

Absolutely! While the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting complements this cake beautifully, you can opt for a classic vanilla buttercream or even a citrus-flavored whipped cream if you prefer.

How do I make Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting gluten-free?

You can substitute the cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure it’s one that includes xanthan gum or add it separately according to package instructions.

What is the best way to enhance the flavor of my Orange Velvet Cake?

To really amp up the citrus flavor, consider adding more orange zest or using freshly squeezed juice instead of concentrated juice. You could even add a touch of lemon zest for an extra zing!

Can I decorate my Orange Velvet Cake with fresh fruit?

Of course! Fresh fruit like slices of orange or berries would make a lovely decoration and add an extra burst of flavor. Just be sure to decorate right before serving to keep everything fresh!

Is there an alternative to using food coloring in this recipe?

If you’d like to avoid food coloring altogether, simply rely on the natural color from the orange juice and zest. The cake will still be deliciously vibrant!

Final Thoughts

I hope this Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to my family gatherings! It’s such a special treat that brightens any occasion with its zesty flavor and beautiful appearance. Enjoy every moment of making this delightful cake, and don’t hesitate to share your experience or variations—I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Happy baking!