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Orange Velvet Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist, bright, and velvety orange cake layered with luscious orange cream cheese frosting. Perfect for spring celebrations, birthdays, and citrus lovers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Bakery
Calories: 465
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orange Velvet Cake
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.25 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs large
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp orange zest packed
  • 0.33 cup orange juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp orange food coloring optional
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Cake pans
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, followed by oil and vanilla extract.
  5. Mix in orange zest and fresh orange juice.
  6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk until just combined.
  7. Stir in orange food coloring if using.
  8. Divide batter into pans and bake 28–32 minutes.
  9. Cool completely on a rack.
  10. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  11. Add powdered sugar gradually.
  12. Mix in orange zest, juice, and vanilla until fluffy.
  13. Frost between cake layers and coat the outside.

Notes

For deeper citrus flavor, use double the zest or add 1 tsp orange extract.