Orange Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This orange layer cake is a light, tender dream of a cake. The batter is flavoured with fresh orange zest and juice and risen to a perfect, delicate crumb, offset by a beautifully smooth and creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting.

Orange cake has long been a favourite in British baking, with its bright, citrusy flavour bringing a touch of sunshine to the table.

The combination of fresh orange zest and juice in this recipe ensures a beautifully fragrant sponge with a light, tender crumb.

Unlike denser fruit cakes, this one is soft and airy, making it a great option for a refreshing dessert or afternoon treat.

Meanwhile, the white chocolate cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious contrast to the fluffy sponge.

There's butter in the frosting too, but the cream cheese keeps it extra smooth and slightly tangy.

And the white chocolate enhances the sweetness and helps stabilise the texture. The result is a frosting that spreads easily and sets to a soft, creamy finish.

Orange zest scattered over the top not only looks beautiful but also intensifies the citrus aroma.

If you want to take the decoration a step further, you could garnish with thin slices of candied orange, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate.

This cake works well for birthdays, celebrations, or as a simple weekend bake.

It pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee and keeps well in the fridge for a few days, staying moist thanks to the fruit content.

It's also great to make as a birthday cake as it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with its delicate balance of sweetness and citrus freshness.

Read on for the full recipe with detailed instructions and a helpful photograph for every step. And if you have any questions, just leave me a comment. Enjoy!

Instructions

Make the sponges

Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan, 350F). Grease two 20cm loose-bottomed cake tins and line the bases with baking paper.

Put the sugar and butter (or margarine) in a large bowl.

Beat until pale and fluffy.

Add the eggs one by one.

Beat between each addition.

Sieve the flour and baking powder into the bowl

Gently fold through.

Add the zest of 2 oranges and the juice of 1 orange.

Gently fold through until evenly distributed through the batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared tins and level off.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cake has gently risen and turned golden brown. It should feel firm at the centre and you can check it is cooked through by pushing a skewer into the centre of the cakes. It should come out clean.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely

Make the cream cheese frosting

Melt the white chocolate in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave in 15 second bursts. Set aside to cool.

Sift the icing sugar into a large bowl and add the softened butter, cream cheese and 1 tbsp of orange juice. 

Whisk until well combined, then add the white chocolate.

Continue to beat until light and creamy.

Assemble your orange layer cake

Place the first sponge on a board. 

Cover with about 1/3 of the frosting. 

Place the other sponge on top.

Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. 

Grate the orange zest all over the cake.

Chill for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Look at that beautiful soft crumb!

Enjoy!

Once you've given my recipe a go, I'd love you to come back and leave a comment letting me know how yours turned out.

I'd love to see your videos and pics, too! Just tag me on social media. I'm @emilylearycooks on Twitter and TikTok or @amummytoo on Instagram.

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