Indulge in the refreshing flavors of this Zesty Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. This cake bursts with vibrant orange flavor, featuring fresh orange juice and zest for a truly citrusy experience. Topped with a luscious orange cream cheese frosting, each bite is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. This cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, perfect for any celebration or a delightful treat for yourself.
Why You'll Love This Dessert: The combination of fresh orange juice and zest in both the cake and frosting provides a refreshing citrus flavor that is both invigorating and satisfying. The sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang to the cake, making it incredibly tender and flavorful. The cream cheese frosting is creamy and rich, complementing the zesty cake perfectly. This recipe is straightforward and delivers a beautiful, delicious cake that looks as good as it tastes.
Perfect Occasion: This cake is ideal for any occasion, from birthdays and holidays to casual get-togethers. Its bright, fresh flavors make it particularly wonderful for spring and summer celebrations. Whether you're serving it at a family dinner, a picnic, or a party, this Zesty Orange Cake is sure to impress your guests.
Decoration Tips: For a beautiful presentation, decorate the cake with additional orange zest or thin slices of fresh orange on top of the frosting. You can also add a few edible flowers or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance. Serve the cake on a bright, colorful platter to highlight its vibrant appearance.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup oil (extra-virgin olive oil, canola, or blood orange EVOO)
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1-2 teaspoons orange zest
For the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to blend.
- In another mixing bowl, cream together the oil, fresh orange juice, eggs, sour cream, and orange zest until fully combined.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Generously grease (3) 8-inch or (2) 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray or butter and flour.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake the Cakes:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 19-21 minutes, depending on the size of the pans used. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are done.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese for about 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through mixing.
- Stir in the powdered sugar, orange zest, and fresh orange juice until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread the orange cream cheese frosting evenly between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Decorate the cake with additional orange zest or fresh orange slices if desired.
- Slice and serve to enjoy the refreshing and zesty flavors of this delightful orange cake.
Enjoy! Delight in the vibrant citrus flavor of this Zesty Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for any occasion, it’s sure to be a favorite among your family and friends. Enjoy every refreshing bite!