Description
This orange creamsicle cake is a bright, nostalgic dessert that layers fluffy orange-flavored cake with creamy vanilla frosting. Inspired by the classic frozen treat, it’s refreshing, indulgent, and perfect for summer gatherings or festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Orange Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
Orange food coloring (optional)
Creamsicle Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract or extra zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two or three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add orange zest, juice, and vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients with the milk, mixing just until combined. Stir in food coloring if using.
- Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream. Mix in vanilla and optional orange extract or zest. Beat until fluffy.
- Assemble cake by layering frosting between cooled cakes and covering the outside with remaining frosting. Decorate with swirls, orange zest, or slices if desired.
Notes
Fresh orange juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled works too.
For extra flavor, poke baked cake layers with a fork and drizzle with orange syrup before frosting.
Turn this into cupcakes by reducing bake time to 16–18 minutes.
Cream cheese or whipped cream frosting makes a great variation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
