Orange Creamsicle Cake
Ingredients
- 2 ½ call purpose flour
- 1 tspbaking soda
- 1 tspbaking powder
- ½ tspkosher salt
- 1 cunsalted butter
melted and slightly cooled
- 1 ½ cgranulated sugar
- 1 cplain Greek yogurt
- 2 largeeggs
at room temperature
- ½ corange juice
- 1 tbsporange zest
- 8 ozbrick cream cheese
softened to room temperature
- ½ cunsalted butter
softened to room temperature
- 4 cpowdered sugar
- 2 tbspheavy whipping cream
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- ⅛ tspkosher salt
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease three 6-inch cake pans, two 8-inch cake pans or 9-inch cake pans. If desired, additionally line the bottom of the cake pans with parchment paper rounds for easy cake removal.
- 2
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking soda, and salt in medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, and yogurt until combined. Then add the eggs, vanilla, orange juice, orange zest and whisk until completely combined. The mixture will be gritty.
- 4
Add half the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until almost incorporated, then add the remaining dry ingredients. Whisk until the batter is smooth, a few small lumps are OK. The batter will be thick.
- 5
Divide and pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Gently tap the cake pans on the counter. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- 6
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then remove the cakes from the pans and set on a wire rack to cool completely. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
- 7
Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter medium-high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and beat again for 30 seconds. Turning the mixer to low speed, add the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Then, slowly add the powdered sugar– I find it's helpful to use a 1/3 dry measuring cup while adding. Once all the powdered sugar is added, adjust the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl, then beat together for another 30 seconds until creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add 1 teaspoon heavy cream. If too thick, add 1-3 Tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- 8
Assemble and frost: Using a large serrated knife or cake leveler, layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand and evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer, more frosting, and then top with the 3rd layer. Spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. If desired, decorate the top and sides of the cake with fresh or candied orange slices. Refrigerate cake for 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting. Cover the leftover frosted cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Orange Creamsicle Cake
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About this Recipe
Craving that delightful, nostalgic creamsicle flavor in a truly special dessert? This Orange Creamsicle Cake recipe is your ticket to a taste of childhood joy, reimagined as an impressive, moist, and wonderfully zesty three-layer cake, perfect for any occasion.
What sets this Orange Creamsicle Cake apart is its exquisite balance of vibrant citrus and creamy sweetness. You'll find each layer of cake bursting with fresh orange juice and zest, complemented by subtle vanilla notes, creating a deeply satisfying flavor profile. The velvety cream cheese frosting, lightly sweetened, encapsulates that classic creamsicle experience without being overly rich, ensuring a delightful bite every time.
Prepare for a truly indulgent experience. You'll enjoy a remarkably moist cake texture, thanks to the inclusion of Greek yogurt and melted butter, that gives way to a smooth, luscious cream cheese frosting. The bright, zesty orange flavor shines through, harmoniously balanced by a hint of vanilla, reminiscent of those beloved frozen treats. This elegant three-layer cake, while appearing grand and impressive, is designed to be accessible for home bakers looking to create something truly memorable.
For those who enjoy a little customization, consider your yogurt choice carefully. While plain Greek yogurt ensures a tender and moist crumb, a full-fat plain regular yogurt could also be used, though its consistency may vary. You can also adjust the amount of orange zest to either amplify or soften the citrus intensity to your personal liking. If you're looking for an even deeper vanilla essence, a high-quality vanilla bean paste can be used in place of extract in the frosting.
This Orange Creamsicle Cake is an ideal showstopper for birthdays, summer gatherings, or any celebration that calls for a cheerful and utterly delicious dessert. Serve it simply, allowing its vibrant flavor, beautiful color, and delightful presentation to be the star of your dessert table.