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Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

June 15, 2016 by rachelle 18 Comments

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Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

 

This may not be the most beautiful cake in the world, but your dad or father’s day person in your life will totally love it.  It’s actually the ugly duckling of cakes and I’m ok with that.  I was an ugly duckling for a long time (maybe I still am?) with awkward skinny long legs and shyness that would beat the band.  I never fit in anywhere and probably still don’t.  But you know what?  It doesn’t matter when you have fantastic father figures in your life.  We’ll talk about high school heart breaks some other time.  I’ll bring the wine.

 


Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

 

So, we can make fancy pants cakes like this if it blows your dress up and if your dad loves pastels, but does your dad really want that?  I say, let’s go rustic.  And usually when I’m talking rustic I’m talking messy, sloppy, or down right ugly.  I’m pretty sure all those descriptions apply here.

Way to sell it, Rach!

 

Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

 

The point is – and yes, eventually I usually have one – it’s Father’s Day this weekend.  Your dad or other significant dad/grandpa/uncle/step/or other dad figure in your life loves you.  He/She loves all your broken bones, skinned knees, lopsided smiles, and rustic, janky cakes with cracks and frosting squishing out the sides.  And that’s what love is.

Happy Father’s Day!

Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting
Print

Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 cup butter room temperature, plus more to prepare the pans (1 - 2 tablespoons)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 cara cara orange juice and zest

For the Frosting

  • 16 ounces 2 8 ounce blocks cream cheese
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • 2 cara cara oranges juice and zest

For the Garnish

  • 1 - 2 cara cara oranges thinly sliced
  • Mint leaves

Instructions

For the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Measure and cut 2 pieces of parchment paper to fit 2 (9) inch cake pans
  3. Butter cake pans, fit parchment circles into bottom of pans, and butter the parchment paper
  4. Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes
  5. Add eggs, one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder
  7. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with milk - start and end with flour, beat just until combined
  8. Stir in vanilla bean paste, zest, and juice
  9. Divide evenly between the two prepared cake pans
  10. Bake 28 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center clean
  11. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, turn out onto wire racks to cool completely

For the Frosting

  1. Add cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium until combined
  2. Slowly add powdered sugar and beat until smooth and combined
  3. Add vanilla bean paste, zest, and juice and beat until combined

For the Assembly

  1. Using a serrated knife, slice each cake in half horizontally through the middle making 4 cakes approximately the same thickness
  2. Arrange the first layer on a cake stand or plate and spread 1/4 of the frosting on top
  3. Add the second layer and spread 1/4 frosting on top
  4. Repeat with the last two layers
  5. Garnish with orange slices and mint


Adapted from Bake from Scratch Cake Special Issue June 2016, page 26 and 27

Note: If you wrap the cakes tightly in plastic then aluminum foil while it’s still warm and freeze them it will seal in some of the moisture and make them easier to cut and frost while thawing.

 

Cara Cara Orange Layer Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

 

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Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: cake, cara cara orange, citrus, citrus cake, citrus frosting, cream cheese frosting, layer cake, orange, orange cake, orange cream cheese frosting, orange frosting

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    June 15, 2016 at 7:14 am

    I don’t think this is an ugly cake at all. You should see some of the cakes I make, they look like a right mess.
    As long as it tastes good, which I am sure this does, that’s all that matters.

    Reply
  2. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food

    June 15, 2016 at 7:20 am

    You know what, Rachelle? I LOVE rustic stuff 😉 I say that all the time. Rustic is the best! But I definitely don’t think that this cake is ugly…far from it! Cara cara is my favourite orange, actually. They’re so sweet. I get them whenever I can, usually a big bag at Costco. And that citrus cream cheese frosting?! Yum! P.S. If you are not satisfied with this cake, I’ll gladly take it off your hands 😉 Pinning!

    Reply
  3. annie@ciaochowbambina

    June 15, 2016 at 11:13 am

    You crack me up! So, firstly – when I saw this cake I immediately thought to myself – ‘Wow! Love the rustic charm Rachelle has going on here!’ I mean – you nailed it, sister! And secondly – I am all about the flavors in this cake and I know all the dads in my life will love it, too!!!! Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Keri @ Fashionable Foods

    June 15, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    This cake looks SO good – definitely not ugly! I’ve been super obsessed with orange-flavored desserts lately, so this is right up my alley! And cream cheese frosting? YES!

    Reply
  5. Amanda

    June 15, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    This cake looks so delicious and not ugly at all. I love citrus enhanced desserts–I find them so much more refreshing. And they are totally perfect this time of year! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next

    June 15, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    This cake is beautiful – I love the gorgeous layers. Orange cakes are my favourite and the tangy cream cheese frosting sounds delicious. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

    June 15, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    I think dads everywhere would love this cake….and moms and kids too!

    Reply
  8. Kelly

    June 15, 2016 at 11:50 pm

    This cake is totally beautiful and not ugly at all! I love the orange – so fresh and perfect for Father’s Day!

    Reply
  9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    June 16, 2016 at 7:10 am

    I don’t think it’s ugly at all Rachelle! It looks so delicious and I totally love the flavor! Cara Cara oranges are a favorite!

    Reply
  10. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    June 16, 2016 at 7:50 am

    What a pretty cake, Rachelle! I love the citrus cream cheese. Sounds so refreshing for the summer. Definitely a fun dessert!

    Reply
  11. David @ Spiced

    June 16, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Yes! This post made me laugh and smile the whole way through. And you know what? I’d gladly take a rustic, janky cake when it’s made with love. Heck, this cake looks pretty awesome to me…save me a slice? 🙂

    Reply
  12. Mir

    June 16, 2016 at 10:04 am

    I think it’s pretty! And definitely the best way to celebrate Dad. Love is the best ingredient when it comes to cakes!

    Reply
  13. mira

    June 16, 2016 at 11:15 am

    This cake is gorgeous! I love it! Will definitely try it soon!

    Reply
  14. Vicky & Ruth- May I Have That Recipe

    June 16, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    This cake looks delicious and the citrus from the oranges is perfect for the summer!!

    Reply
  15. Ashlyn // Dollop Of Yum

    June 16, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    This orange cake sounds perfect for summer! I am totally a fan of not frosting cakes completely. There is a certain beauty to them and they are much easier to decorate!

    Reply
  16. karrie @ Tasty Ever After

    June 16, 2016 at 10:22 pm

    I’ll tell you what love is…love is this cake being stuffed in my mouth! What are you doing girl?? Don’t you know I’m still trying to clean eat and that doesn’t include eating a cake. I would eat this cake though, the whole dang thing, all by myself. That frosting looks divinely yummy too. Also, I don’t think it’s ugly at all. Four tiered cakes are not easy to do and you did it very well, my friend. Plus, I bet it tastes kick-ass!!

    Reply
  17. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    June 17, 2016 at 8:48 am

    This cake looks absolutely beautiful and delicious to me, Rachelle. I was sold at the name when I first read orange cake. Orange anything makes me feel so refreshing, and I know I am gonna love this cake for sure! Thank you for this lovely share!

    Reply
  18. Amanda

    June 18, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Rustic cakes like this are wonderful. I love this look. It’s so homey and fun. I’m loving all the orange in here!

    Reply

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I’m Rachelle, an attorney by day with a passion for home brewing and cooking with craft beer.

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