Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (2024)

by Kimberly Killebrew · 127 Comments

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Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (1)

I was just talking to one of my best childhood friends, Steffi, from Germany. Talking to her got me thinking about many of the things I miss from back home in Europe. One small, but fond item that came to mind was triggered by seeing a jug of buttermilk in my fridge. Germany makesthe best flavored milk drinks (Mueller Milch), including flavored buttermilk. You can go into any grocery store in Germany and find pint-sized cartons of delicious flavored buttermilk – all kinds of different fruity flavors. (German buttermilk tastes significantly different than what you buy over here in the U.S.. It’s much milder for one thing.) I used to love getting a carton of cold, refreshing berry or citrus-flavored buttermilk and drinking it in the car on the way home from a grocery trip. So, I was looking at this jug of buttermilk in my fridge today, craving that fruity buttermilk from Germany. I was in the mood for something sweet and fresh. My eyes next caught hold of some oranges I had on the bottom shelf. Buttermilk and oranges…oh, yes! While I was tempted to just make a sweet orange buttermilk drink like the kind I would buy in Germany, I decided to go a different direction. Within 5 minutes I was whipping up a new creation: an Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting!

The buttermilk cuts down on fat while adding a refreshing tang and creating a moist and tender crumb. Two whole tablespoons of fresh orange zest are nestled within the cake and the cream cheese frosting incorporates freshly squeezed orange juice and orange marmalade. Can you spell d.i.v.i.n.e.?

Before we get started, let me also add that you can make three alternative versions of this cake: Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit. Simply substitute the zest, juice, and marmalade accordingly. Isn’t this fun?

Okay, here’s how it goes:

Combine the sugar and eggs. Whisk until combined. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (2)

Zest an entire orange. Add the zest and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture and whisk until combined. And the buttermilk and whisk to combine. Add the melted butter and whisk to combine.

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (3)

Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and carefully whisk just until combined. Careful not to over-whisk or the cake will be dense and heavy. Place a sheet of foil or parchment paper over the cake pan and press down to get the indentation. Cut just inside of the circle indentation to get a good fit. Place the circle cutout in the bottom of the cake pan. Carefully butter the top of the foil or parchment paper and the sides of the pan. Pour the batter into the cake pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.

I use the hand-forged aluminum pan from Magic Line, made in the USA. Love it!

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (4)

Bake the cake at 350 F for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 30 minutes before removing it and placing it on a wire rack. Invert the cake from the cake pan and allow the cake to cool completely. Using a large serrated knife, cut the cake in half and carefully place the layers next to each other.

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (5)

Squeeze the juice from the orange you zested. To make the orange cream cheese frosting, combine the cream cheese, butter, orange marmalade, orange extract, and orange juice. Beat with an electric mixer until combined and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until combined and smooth. This orange cream cheese frosting is out of this world!

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (6)

Spread some orange marmalade on the bottom layer of the cake. Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese over the marmalade. Invert the top layer and place it over the bottom layer. Carefully transfer the cake to a cake saver and frost it with the remaining cream cheese frosting.

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (7)

Enjoy!

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (8)

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (9)

Kimberly Killebrew

This cake will dazzle your taste buds and make you swoon!

Print Recipe

4.72 from 25 votes

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Cake

Servings 8 servings

Calories 525 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs ,at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of one orange ,just a little over 1 tablespoon
  • 1/4 cup butter ,melted and cooled to room temperature
  • For the frosting
  • 4 oz. cream cheese ,softened
  • 4 tablespoons butter ,at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, add the sugar and eggs and whisk until combined. Add the orange zest, vanilla extract and buttermilk and whisk until combined. Add the cooled melted butter and whisk to combine. Add the flour and carefully whisk until just combined, being careful not to over-whisk.

  • Prepare a 9x2 inch round baking pan (I use Magic Line), line the bottom with parchment paper or foil and butter the top of the lining and the sides of the pan.

  • Pour the batter into the pan, smooth the top with a rubber spatula, and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack and allowing it to cool completely.

  • To make the frosting: Combine the first 6 ingredients and beat with a mixer until combined and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until combined and smooth.

  • Cut the cake in half. Spread some orange marmalade on the bottom half. Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese frosting on top of the marmalade. Invert the top half of the cake and place it on top of the bottom layer. Frost the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 184mg | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (10)

Orange Buttermilk Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I refrigerate cream cheese frosting before piping? ›

Cream cheese frosting will hold its decorative piped shape if you refrigerate it prior to piping. Fit your piping bag with a piping tip, fill your bag with the frosting, then refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before piping. However, don't expect it to be as sturdy as buttercream.

How to get cream cheese frosting to harden? ›

Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. Avoid adding more than 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch per 8 oz (226 grams) of cream cheese.

Which frosting is best for cake? ›

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

SM buttercream is arguably the best frosting in terms of cake decorating because it is the easiest way to get those smooth clean lines.

Why is my orange cake dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard. For best results, I would encourage you to use a scale when baking, but if you don't have a scale, then just make sure you're using measuring cups correctly.

Can I leave a cake with cream cheese frosting out overnight? ›

So does it need refrigeration? Food Network Kitchens: Yes, you should always refrigerate any cake or cupcake that has cream cheese frosting.

How to stop cream cheese frosting from going runny? ›

If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese. Alternatively, if you whisk it with an electric whisk or in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment on high it will thicken after 3-4 minutes.

Can you cover a cake with cream cheese frosting? ›

Spread a thin coat of cream cheese frosting around the cake to fully cover the cake layers. Smooth using a large offset spatula, then chill the cake in the fridge (10 minutes) or freezer (5 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.

What thickens cream cheese frosting? ›

Powdered sugar – Aka confectioner's sugar. It thickens and sweetens the frosting. Make homemade powdered sugar, or use store-bought.

What is the best store-bought cream cheese frosting? ›

Best Cream Cheese Frosting: Duncan Hines Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting. In my highly professional opinion, cream cheese frosting is the most superior of the “American-style” frostings, which are made by whipping fat—like butter and shortening—with powdered sugar.

How do you keep cream cheese frosting from getting lumpy? ›

Making sure the icing sugar is really fine in texture will keep the frosting smooth and lump-free. Use cold cream cheese. This is THE most important tip. You want the cream cheese to be as thick as possible, if it's kept at room temperature it will start to loosen and become soft.

How do you make orange frosting without yellow? ›

Here's how to make the icing: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the orange juice, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more as needed to reach your desired consistency. If you want a stronger orange flavor, you can also add a teaspoon of orange extract.

What food colors make orange? ›

Combine red and yellow food coloring in equal amounts and stir until mixed.

What is the most common type of icing used for decorated cakes? ›

Buttercream is the most popular type of frosting largely because of its few ingredients and easy application. Classic buttercream requires beating butter into icing sugar until you reach a frosting consistency.

What is orange glaze made of? ›

Orange glaze is nothing new. The combination of orange juice and powdered sugar strikes the most delicious balance of sweet and tangy. My orange glaze recipe touches on all those traditional orange icing notes but adds in zest for an extra orange flavor and tart bite.

What is orange cake made of? ›

Orange cake is made with whipped egg whites which keeps the cake fluffy and light, orange zest, and fresh orange juice that gives this cake a delicious fresh flavor. The rest of the ingredients are super simple. Flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, kosher salt, vegetable oil, and sugar!

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