Description

This Moist Orange Cake recipe delivers bright, tangy orange flavor with a soft, tender crumb. Two layers of citrus-infused cake are complemented by a creamy orange cream cheese frosting that is rich yet light. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is easy to make and sure to become a family favorite with its sunny, moist texture and flavorful frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Orange Cake

2¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour (see note 1)
⅓ cup (40 g) cornstarch
2¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
⅓ cup (75 g) unflavored vegetable oil (canola oil recommended)
1¼ cups (250 g) white granulated sugar
3 tsp orange zest (top orange layer only, avoid white pith)
3 large eggs, room temperature
5½ tbsp (90 g) full-fat milk, room temperature
½ cup (112 g) freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tsp vanilla extract or essence

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
4½ cups (570 g) powdered sugar (icing/confectioners sugar), adjust for desired thickness
1½ cups (335 g) cold, firm cream cheese (not spreadable type)
1½ tsp vanilla extract or essence
2 tsp orange zest (top orange layer only)
1½ tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Grease and/or line two 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper or cake release to prevent sticking.
Sift Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together and set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, vegetable oil, sugar, and orange zest. Using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed, cream for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
Add Liquids and Flavoring: Mix in the milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, and vanilla extract until combined. After this step, stop using the mixer.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Gently fold just until no flour streaks remain to avoid overmixing and maintain a tender crumb.
Fill and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake tins. Smooth the tops and tap the tins lightly on the counter to release any large air bubbles. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the tins for 15-20 minutes, then invert them onto wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Frosting: Using a mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar in three batches on low speed, fully combining each batch before adding the next.
Add Cream Cheese and Flavor: Add the cold, firm cream cheese, vanilla extract, orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Mix just until the frosting is smooth—avoid over-mixing to maintain stability of the frosting.
Assemble the Cake: Once cake layers are completely cooled, spread the orange cream cheese frosting evenly between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Chill if needed for firmer frosting before serving.

Notes

You can substitute cake flour for the combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch, using 300 g total.
When zesting oranges, only grate the colored outer layer to avoid bitterness from the white pith.
If using a fan/convection oven, reduce the baking temperature to 160 °C (320 °F) as it cooks more quickly.
To thicken the frosting, add extra powdered sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency and sweetness are reached. Cornstarch may also be used sparingly.
Use cold, firm cream cheese (not spreadable) to ensure frosting stays firm; if frosting softens in warm climates, refrigerate for 30 minutes then re-whip.
Stop mixing the frosting as soon as it is smooth to prevent breakdown of powdered sugar and maintain frosting stability.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Western, American

Keywords: easy orange cake, moist orange cake, orange cake, orange cake from scratch, orange cake recipe, orange cake recipes, orange cream cheese frosting, orange flavor cake, orange flavored cake, orange frosting