Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Bright, citrusy, and utterly irresistible, Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is a show-stopping dessert that’s as much fun to make as it is to eat. Imagine a tender, ultra-moist crumb humming with real orange flavor, all wrapped up in a luxuriously tangy, velvety frosting—the scent alone will have friends and family lining up in the kitchen. This cake is pure joy: a vivid, sunshine-colored centerpiece perfect for celebrations or moments when you need an edible pick-me-up!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting only needs familiar baking staples and a few citrusy stars that make it so special. Each ingredient brings its own magic, creating a cake with cloud-like softness, dazzling color, and layers of flavor you won’t forget.

• Cream cheese (8 oz, for cake): Adds moisture and a hint of tang that keeps the cake tender and flavorful.
• Unsalted butter (1½ sticks, for cake): Delivers rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the cake while helping create a delicate, airy crumb.
• Large eggs (4, room temp): Provide structure and richness for a perfectly set, fluffy cake.
• Cake flour (3 cups): Yields a soft, velvet-like bite that all great velvet cakes are known for.
• Baking powder (2 tsp) & baking soda (½ tsp): Essential for that lovely lift and lightness.
• Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and brightens the citrus flavor.
• Milk (½ cup): Keeps the cake moist and blends seamlessly with the citrus notes.
• Concentrated orange juice (½ cup, thawed): Packs a punch of real orange flavor—don’t dilute!
• Vegetable oil (¼ cup): Ensures exceptional moistness and tenderness from the first slice to the last.
• Orange zest (zest from one orange, optional): Boosts natural flavor and provides aromatic depth.
• Orange extract (1 tbsp): Intensifies that signature orange aroma and taste.
• Orange coloring gel (optional): For an eye-catching, festive cake color that screams citrus celebration.
• Unsalted butter (3 sticks, for frosting): Makes the frosting creamy and spreadable.
• Cream cheese (16 oz, for frosting): Gives the frosting a tangy, luscious finish that pairs perfectly with orange.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Lends warmth and rounds out the other flavors in the frosting.
• Orange extract (1 tsp, for frosting): Echoes and amplifies the citrus theme in the frosting.
• Salt (½ tsp, for frosting): Balances the sweetness just right.
• Powdered sugar (7 cups, adjust to taste): Sweetens while keeping the frosting cloud-light and pipeable.
• Orange coloring gel (frosting, optional): Creates that dreamy color contrast on top of the cake.

How to Make Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Oven & Pan Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line each bottom with parchment paper for effortless cake removal. This ensures your layers will come out perfect and intact—nothing should steal the spotlight from those beautiful cake layers!

Step 2: Dry Ingredient Preparation

In a medium bowl, sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Sifting not only removes lumps but also helps aerate the mixture, guaranteeing a delicate, velvet-soft crumb in every bite. Set aside—these will soon unite with citrusy goodness.

Step 3: Mixing the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, thawed concentrated orange juice (undiluted for a bold punch!), vegetable oil, orange extract, and, if you’re using it, fresh orange zest. This fragrant mixture will infuse your cake with vibrant, real fruit flavor and rich moisture.

Step 4: Cream Butter & Cream Cheese

Using a large mixing bowl and a hand mixer (or a stand mixer), beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until completely smooth and creamy. This base is the heart of the Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting—don’t skimp on whipping time for that pillow-soft texture!

Step 5: Add Sugar & Eggs

Gradually add the sugar to your creamy base, beating until it turns light and fluffy. Then, crack in one egg at a time, mixing well between each addition. This steady approach keeps your batter smooth and helps prevent overmixing, which is key for a cake that practically melts in your mouth.

Step 6: Combining Mixtures

Alternately add the sifted dry ingredients and citrusy wet ingredients to your creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix just until combined after each addition—overmixing can lead to a dense cake, and nobody wants that! You’re aiming for a thick, silky-smooth batter flecked with hints of orange zest.

Step 7: Add Coloring (Optional)

If you love a splash of color, now’s the time to fold in some orange coloring gel. Add a little at a time until you reach your dream shade. This visual pop turns your Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting into a true centerpiece.

Step 8: Bake

Evenly divide your luscious batter among the three prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean and crumb-free. Your kitchen will be filled with a citrusy aroma that’s simply irresistible!

Step 9: Cool

Once the cakes are done, let them sit in their pans for 5-10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks. Let cool completely—patience is crucial for easy assembly and a crumb-free finish.

How to Serve Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

To really make your Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting shine, top with curls of orange zest, delicate candied orange slices, or even a sprinkling of edible gold dust. The color and texture contrast not only looks gorgeous but offers a burst of fresh citrus with every forkful.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with a cool glass of sparkling water or a cup of hot Earl Grey tea for a refreshing twist. For more decadence, serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a simple berry salad—the light acidity and sweet undertones balance the rich frosting beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Think outside the slice! Cut mini squares for dessert buffets, layer with frosting in elegant parfait glasses, or turn the cake into delightful cupcakes for parties. However you present it, the cheerful hue and lush flavor of Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting are guaranteed to delight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cake slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. The cream cheese frosting keeps the cake moist and the flavors mingling, making each day-after bite just as heavenly as the first.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices or unfrosted layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. If freezing frosted cake, let slices firm up in the fridge first, then layer parchment between slices for easy separation.

Reheating

Allow frozen cake to thaw overnight in the fridge, then let it rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving. Quick microwave zaps aren’t recommended, as they can melt that cloud-like Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.

FAQs

Can I use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of concentrated?

For the signature punchy flavor in Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting, concentrated orange juice is best. Fresh juice is less intense and might make your batter too wet, but you can add more orange zest to boost natural flavor if needed!

Is food coloring absolutely necessary?

Not at all! Orange coloring just makes the cake look festive. If you love a natural hue, skip it—the flavor will still be outstanding, and those golden layers will shine with orange zest and extract alone.

Can I bake this as a sheet cake or cupcakes?

Definitely! For cupcakes, fill liners about two-thirds and bake for 18-20 minutes. For a sheet cake, use a 9×13-inch pan and bake for around 35 minutes, checking for doneness. The beauty of Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is its versatility.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! Orange Cream Cheese Frosting can be made up to three days in advance. Store it in the fridge, then bring to room temperature and re-whip for a few seconds before frosting your cake for smooth spreading.

How do I avoid a dry cake?

Be careful not to overbake—start checking around 28 minutes. Weigh ingredients if you can, and don’t overmix once the flour goes in. Using the full-fat cream cheese and proper measures for wet ingredients keeps your Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting plush and moist.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that truly lights up a room, you won’t find better than Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. Its bold citrus personality, pillowy crumb, and that dreamy swath of tangy frosting are pure sunshine on a plate—so don’t wait for an occasion, make every day special and bake this beauty!

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