Ultimate Orange Velvet Layer Cake Recipe

Picture this: layers of incredibly moist, vibrant orange cake paired with luscious cream cheese frosting that melts on your tongue. This Orange Velvet Layer Cake combines the best of both worlds – the tender crumb of red velvet cake with the bright, citrusy punch of fresh orange flavor.

Unlike traditional red velvet, this citrus-forward creation brings sunshine to any occasion. The secret lies in using frozen orange juice concentrate, which delivers an intense orange flavor that fresh juice simply can’t match. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, wrapped in a texture so soft it practically dissolves in your mouth.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner party, or simply craving something special, this orange velvet cake recipe will become your go-to dessert. The stunning orange hue paired with pristine white frosting creates an eye-catching presentation that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ready to master this show-stopping dessert? Check out our spider web cheesecake for another impressive cake that’s sure to wow your guests.

Why This Orange Velvet Cake Recipe Works Every Time

This moist orange cake from scratch delivers consistent results thanks to a few key techniques that set it apart from ordinary orange cakes.

The magic starts with cake flour, which creates an incredibly tender crumb. Unlike all-purpose flour, cake flour has less protein, resulting in a softer, more delicate texture that practically melts in your mouth.

Frozen orange juice concentrate is the secret weapon here. While fresh orange juice tastes great on its own, it lacks the concentrated flavor punch needed for baking. The concentrate provides intense orange flavor without adding excess liquid that could throw off the cake’s structure.

The addition of a small amount of vinegar and baking soda creates the signature velvet texture. This combination produces tiny air bubbles that make the cake incredibly light and fluffy – just like traditional red velvet, but with a citrusy twist.

Room temperature ingredients are crucial for proper mixing. Cold eggs and butter won’t incorporate smoothly, leading to a dense, heavy cake. Taking the time to bring everything to room temperature ensures a smooth batter and perfect texture.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Orange Velvet Layer Cake

Creating this citrus layer cake requires specific ingredients that work together to achieve the perfect flavor and texture.

For the Cake:

2½ cups cake flour (not all-purpose)
1½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup buttermilk, room temperature
⅓ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 tablespoons orange zest from fresh oranges
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
Orange food coloring (gel preferred)

For the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the final result. Use real butter, not margarine, for the best flavor and texture. Fresh orange zest provides aromatic oils that dried zest simply can’t match.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Orange Velvet Cake Success

Preparing Your Kitchen and Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This easy homemade orange cake requires proper preparation for best results.

Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter, then dust with flour, tapping out any excess. For extra insurance against sticking, line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper.

Bring all refrigerated ingredients to room temperature about 1-2 hours before baking. This includes eggs, butter, buttermilk, and cream cheese for the frosting.

Mixing the Perfect Orange Velvet Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the room temperature butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the batter, creating a lighter texture.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the thawed orange juice concentrate, orange zest, and vanilla extract until combined.

In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and white vinegar. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to activate.

Reduce mixer speed to low and alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the creamed butter, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined – overmixing leads to tough cake.

In a small bowl, mix baking soda with 1 tablespoon of hot water until dissolved. Quickly fold this into the batter along with orange food coloring until you achieve your desired orange shade.

Baking Your Orange Velvet Layers

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. A kitchen scale ensures even layers, but you can also eyeball it.

Bake for 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The tops should spring back when lightly touched.

Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting. Rushing this step will result in melted frosting.

Creating the Perfect Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

This orange cream cheese frosting is what elevates the cake from good to absolutely incredible.

Ensure your cream cheese and butter are truly at room temperature – they should give slightly when pressed. Cold ingredients will create a lumpy frosting that’s difficult to spread smoothly.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down sides of the bowl frequently.

Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. The sifting step prevents lumps and creates silky smooth frosting.

Mix in the thawed orange juice concentrate, orange zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and holds its shape well.

If the frosting seems too soft, chill it for 15-20 minutes before using. If it’s too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk.

Assembly and Decorating Tips for Your Citrus Layer Cake

Proper assembly makes the difference between a homemade-looking cake and a bakery-worthy masterpiece.

Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate. If the top is domed, use a large serrated knife to level it for easier stacking.

Spread about 1 cup of orange cream cheese frosting evenly over the first layer, leaving a small border around the edges. The weight of the top layer will push the frosting to the edges.

Carefully place the second layer on top, pressing gently to adhere. Don’t worry if some frosting squeezes out – you can clean this up later.

Apply a thin “crumb coat” of frosting all over the cake to seal in any loose crumbs. Chill the cake for 30 minutes to set this layer.

Apply the final layer of frosting, using an offset spatula to create smooth sides and top. For a professional look, hold the spatula at a 45-degree angle and rotate the cake as you smooth.

Decorate with additional orange zest, candied orange peels, or fresh orange slices for a stunning presentation that showcases the citrus theme.

Pro Tips for Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Icing Success

Temperature control is everything when working with cream cheese frosting. If your kitchen is warm, chill the frosting periodically during decorating to maintain its consistency.

For extra orange flavor, brush each cake layer with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar, water, and orange juice concentrate before frosting.

This orange cake with cream cheese icing can be made ahead. Wrap unfrosted layers in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

When measuring flour, use the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. Scooping can pack the flour, resulting in a dense cake.

Room temperature eggs mix more easily and create better volume. If you forgot to bring them to room temperature, place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.

For the most vibrant color, use gel food coloring rather than liquid. Gel colors are more concentrated and won’t thin your batter.

Troubleshooting Common Orange Velvet Cake Issues

Even experienced bakers encounter challenges. Here’s how to solve the most common problems with this moist orange cake from scratch.

Dense or Heavy Cake: This usually results from overmixing the batter or using ingredients that are too cold. Mix just until ingredients are combined, and ensure everything is at room temperature.

Cake Sinking in the Middle: This indicates underbaking or opening the oven door too early. Bake until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs, and resist checking before 20 minutes.

Lumpy Frosting: Cold cream cheese and butter create lumps that won’t smooth out completely. Ensure both are truly at room temperature, and sift your powdered sugar.

Frosting Too Soft: This happens in warm kitchens or with over-beating. Chill the frosting for 15-20 minutes, then re-whip briefly.

Dry Cake: Overbaking is the usual culprit. Start checking for doneness at 22 minutes, and remember that cake continues cooking slightly as it cools.

Weak Orange Flavor: Fresh orange juice won’t provide enough intensity. Stick with frozen concentrate, and don’t skip the orange zest – it provides essential aromatic oils.

Storage and Serving Guidelines

This Orange Velvet Layer Cake is best stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.

Cover the cake with a cake dome or wrap loosely with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap doesn’t touch the frosting surface. Properly stored, the cake stays fresh for up to 5 days.

For best flavor and texture, remove the cake from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving. This allows the cake to come to room temperature while keeping the frosting stable.

Individual slices can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.

If transporting the cake, keep it chilled until the last possible moment. Cream cheese frosting can soften quickly in warm conditions.

Variations and Flavor Adaptations

While this citrus layer cake is perfect as written, you can customize it to suit different tastes and occasions.

Orange Chocolate Chip Version: Fold 1 cup of mini chocolate chips into the finished batter for a delightful orange-chocolate combination.

Mandarin Orange Cake: Replace the orange juice concentrate with mandarin orange juice concentrate for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Orange Coconut Cake: Add ½ cup of sweetened shredded coconut to the batter and top the finished cake with toasted coconut flakes.

Orange Cream Filling: Split each layer horizontally and add orange-flavored whipped cream between all four layers for an extra decadent treat.

Cupcake Version: This batter makes about 24 cupcakes. Bake at 350°F for 16-20 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the cake flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Perfect Occasions for Orange Velvet Layer Cake

This stunning easy homemade orange cake shines at numerous celebrations and gatherings.

Birthday Celebrations: The vibrant orange color and impressive presentation make this cake a birthday showstopper that guests will remember long after the party ends.

Spring and Summer Gatherings: The bright citrus flavor perfectly complements warm weather menus and outdoor entertaining.

Holiday Celebrations: Consider this cake for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any spring holiday where you want something special but different from traditional chocolate or vanilla.

Dinner Party Dessert: The elegant appearance and sophisticated flavor profile make this cake perfect for entertaining guests who appreciate homemade desserts.

Potluck Contributions: This cake travels well and serves a crowd, making it ideal for community gatherings, church functions, or office celebrations.

Wedding Celebrations: Many couples choose this cake for spring or summer weddings, especially those with citrus or orange color themes.

Related Delicious Layer Cake Recipes

If you love this Orange Velvet Layer Cake, you’ll want to try these other spectacular layer cakes from our collection.

The Ultimate Pumpkin Roll Cake offers another seasonal favorite with cream cheese filling that’s perfect for fall gatherings. Like this orange velvet cake, it features a tender crumb and rich cream cheese component.

For chocolate lovers, our decadent chocolate layer cake provides the perfect contrast to this citrus creation. The techniques you learn making this orange cake will serve you well when tackling other layer cake projects.

Don’t miss our comprehensive guide to layer cake troubleshooting, which covers common issues that can arise with any layer cake recipe, including this orange velvet masterpiece.

The Final Slice: Your Orange Velvet Cake Journey

This Orange Velvet Layer Cake represents everything wonderful about homemade baking – the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and delicious from simple ingredients, the joy of sharing it with loved ones, and the memories created around the table.

The combination of moist, tender cake layers with rich orange cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s both impressive and approachable. Unlike complicated pastries that require advanced techniques, this orange velvet cake recipe uses straightforward methods that home bakers can master with confidence.

From the first bite to the last crumb, every element works in harmony. The concentrated orange flavor provides brightness without overwhelming sweetness, while the cream cheese frosting adds richness and balances the citrus notes perfectly.

Whether this becomes your signature birthday cake, holiday tradition, or special occasion showstopper, you now have all the knowledge needed to create this moist orange cake from scratch with confidence. The detailed instructions, troubleshooting tips, and storage guidelines ensure your success every time you make this stunning citrus layer cake.

Remember, great baking is as much about patience and attention to detail as it is about following the recipe. Take your time, use room temperature ingredients, and don’t rush the cooling process. These small steps make the difference between a good cake and an extraordinary one.

Your friends and family will be amazed by this easy homemade orange cake, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you created something truly special with your own hands. Get inspired by more amazing cake ideas on Pinterest where you’ll find endless decoration and serving suggestions.